Why do Babies Need Sunlight?

If you have taken your baby home one of the tips your doctor might have given you is to give the baby some sun.  The usual recommendation is 15-30 minutes a day between the hours of 7am and 9am, or early morning sun.  Parents are asked to cover the child’s eyes (to prevent exposure to UV rays), cover the child’s genital area (also for UV protection), and to sun both front and back of the child.  But why is this a recommended practice?  Why is sunlight good for babies?

• VITAMIN D

Though babies do get a certain amount of Vitamin D from breast milk, sunlight helps the body produce Vitamin D.  This essential vitamin helps infants absorb calcium, and during this crucial period of growth, building strong and healthy bones is ideal.  Because of this, exposure to sunlight helps prevent the development of rickets in children.

• BETTER SLEEP

Sunlight also aids melatonin synthesis, giving babies natural cues as to when they should be awake and when they should be asleep.  Sun exposure can maintain normal cardiac rhythms.

• HAPPIER BABIES

Serotonin usually increases with sun exposure, and serotonin is one of the happy hormones.  This means that frequent and consistent exposure to sunlight can make babies happier!  Serotonin also aids in digestion and aids in regulating sleep, both important for little babies.

• BETTER LIVER FUNCTION

Sunlight is usually the first prognosis for babies that are slightly yellow or are dealing with jaundice.  This is because sunlight can help breakdown bilirubin, a compound needed for proper liver function.  This technique, however, is only for mildly yellow babies and not for babies with more serious jaundice.  It is always best to have your pediatrician assess your child.

• MORE ENERGETIC

The interplay between melatonin and serotonin makes sunlight exposed children naturally more energetic.  This may help children begin sleeping through the night faster. (Just note that all newborns do need to wake up every three or four hours to feed until a pediatrician gives the go signal for them to sleep longer.)

Some studies have shown that exposure to sunlight during pregnancy can already give babies some of the benefits of sun exposure.  In the first few months it can aid fetal growth, strengthen bone development, and boost both the baby’s and mother’s immune system. Some studies have shown that it can also help prevent pre-eclampsia, premature birth, and other pregnancy complications.

It is important for parents to remember to cover their children’s eyes and genitals and to limit the exposure to just 15 minutes in the first six months and 30 minutes until toddlerhood.  At this stage of life, babies still have very sensitive skin, and using sunscreen on babies isn’t ideal.  The lack of sun protection options on their sensitive skin is why early morning sun is what parents should target.