Sure, babies in sunglasses are adorable, but do the wee ones really need sunglasses? To put it simply, yes. 

While everyone should protect their eyes from the sun’s damaging rays, it’s particularly important for babies, as their eyes are much more sensitive, as is the delicate skin around the eyes. 

Baby sunglasses protect your child’s eyes now and as they grow and can also play a role in developing lifelong sun-healthy habits — even from a very young age. 

That’s why it’s so important to choose sunglasses with effective UV protection (which can help prevent long-term damage) that fit and feel good so that your baby will actually wear them. 

Knowing how sunglasses work to protect the eye — as well as the best types for infants and where to buy them — can help you find just the right pair for your baby.

Why babies need sunglasses

Babies and young children under the age of 10 have very sensitive eyes. Because their eyes are still developing, the crystalline lens in a baby’s eye cannot filter out the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays as well as adult eyes do.

This means that greater amounts of visible blue and harmful ultraviolet rays can get into their eyes, which may make babies more susceptible to damaged retinas and other vision issues.  

Unfortunately, you cannot reverse sun damage caused by exposure to UV rays. Even short periods in the sun can cause damage, which can result in a variety of eye diseases as you age, including macular degeneration, dulling of colors, cataracts, or even a rare form of eye cancer. Sun damage can also cause skin cancer.

Additionally, a baby’s eyelids and the skin around their eyes is very delicate. Even if a baby closes their eyes to protect them from the sun, their thin eyelids can burn. And since the skin is so transparent, some sunlight can still reach the retina. Babies need sunglasses to protect their delicate eyes and the skin around their eyes.

When should babies start wearing sunglasses?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), infants younger than six months old should not really be exposed to the sun — at all. To keep them safe, you can use your stroller’s canopy, an umbrella or the shade of a tree or a building overhang.

At six months old, it’s safer for babies to be out in the sun, but it’s still very important to keep them protected from the sun’s harmful rays. Experts at the American Academy of Ophthalmology suggest that the best way to protect a baby from the sun is by using a hat with a brim, sunscreen and sunglasses.

READ MORE: What parents need to know about kids’ sunglasses and vision health