Baby sunburn: first aid and when to call the doctor | Parenting Hub
How to treat baby sunburn, when it's an emergency, and how to prevent it. Aligned with RCH and SunSmart Australia guidance.
Babies under 12 months should be kept out of direct sun. Any sunburn in a baby under 1 needs a same-day GP review.
What is it?
Sunburn is skin damage from UV radiation. Babies' skin is thinner and burns much faster than adult skin — even on cool or cloudy days when UV is 3 or higher.
Symptoms
- Pink or red skin that feels hot
- Skin warm to touch hours after sun exposure
- Pain or unsettledness
- Blistering in more serious burns
- Signs of heatstroke: floppy, fast breathing, vomiting, very hot to touch
Causes
UV exposure — direct sun, reflected sun off water/sand, or filtered sun through a pram cover that isn't UPF-rated. UV is strongest 10am–3pm in Australia.
What helps
- Move baby into the shade or indoors immediately
- Cool the skin: lukewarm bath or cool compress for 10–15 minutes
- Offer extra breastmilk or formula feeds — sunburn dehydrates
- Dress in loose cotton clothing
- Don't pop blisters, don't apply ice, butter or essential oils
- Paracetamol can be used if baby is in pain (check the dose for weight and age)
When to see a doctor
Any sunburn in a baby under 12 months needs a same-day GP review. In older babies, see your GP for blistering, large red areas, fever, or a very unsettled baby.
When to seek urgent care — call 000
Call 000 for heatstroke signs: very hot skin, fast breathing, floppy, vomiting, drowsy or unresponsive. This is a medical emergency.
When to seek help
- Any sunburn in a baby under 12 months
- Blistering, large red areas, fever
- Floppy, fast breathing, vomiting, very hot
- Drowsy, hard to wake, or unresponsive
Common questions
Can I use sunscreen on a newborn?
For babies under 6 months, the priority is shade, clothing and a wide-brim hat — not sunscreen. Use a small amount of baby-safe SPF 50+ on exposed bits (face, hands) only when shade isn't possible. From 6 months, sunscreen can be used more freely along with shade and clothing.
Is a pram cover enough protection?
Only if it's UPF-rated and there's airflow. A muslin or blanket draped over a pram can dangerously raise the temperature inside — never cover a pram with a non-breathable cloth.