Should I put sunglasses to my baby?

To the parents' question "Should I protect the eyes of my little one against UVA and UVB rays with glasses?" The answer is both yes and no. Let me elaborate on that.

Infants are sensitive to the sun's rays since their lens are still very immature and - unlike adults - they cannot protect the retina of the eye from them. That being said, we all agree that getting a baby under 6 months to wear sunglasses is not an easy task! In addition, this is considered non-essential in terms of health recommendations unless of course he has an identified eye problem.

First of all, try to avoid exposing the baby to direct sunlight without protection. To do so, it is recommended to use a hat with a large brim or a cap, avoid the hours of strong sunlight and protect your little one from the reflections of the sun on the sand, water and snow which can be quite inconvenient.

When you are able to get him to wear sunglasses, it is best to choose a quality one. Pay attention to the label to ensure you have a high degree of protection: it must mention protection from UV rays of 400 and + up to UV 100%. It doesn't matter what color the glass is (brown, gray or green) as they are all very good at reducing glare. Finally, it is essential to make sure that the glasses are adapted to your baby's face and that they fit properly.

I hope this little summary will help you dear parents.