Nearly Half of Parents Aren’t Consistently Applying Sunscreen to Their Baby, Poll Finds
Key Summary
We asked 665 Canadian parents a simple question: When do you apply sunscreen to your baby?
Here’s what they told us:
- Every time we go outside — 52.1% (352 votes)
- Only on very sunny days — 16.9% (114 votes)
- Only for long outings like the park or beach — 15.0% (101 votes)
- Not sure what’s recommended — 9.8% (66 votes)
- Rarely or never — 4.7% (32 votes)
Just over half of parents apply sunscreen every time their baby heads outdoors—but nearly half apply it only in certain situations or aren’t sure what experts actually recommend.
Nearly Half of Parents Aren’t Consistently Using Sunscreen
The poll found that 52.1% of parents say they apply sunscreen every time their baby goes outside, suggesting that sun protection is already part of many families’ daily routines.
However, the remaining 47.9% either use sunscreen only under certain conditions, reserve it for longer outdoor outings, rarely use it, or aren’t sure what current recommendations are.
This suggests many families may underestimate how much UV exposure can occur during everyday activities such as neighbourhood walks, daycare drop-offs, trips to the playground or even running errands.
Nearly 1 in 10 Parents Aren’t Sure What’s Recommended
One of the most interesting findings from the poll is that 9.8% of respondents admitted they aren’t sure what current sunscreen recommendations are.
Sun safety guidance has evolved over time—particularly for babies younger than six months—so it’s understandable that some parents may feel uncertain about when sunscreen should be used versus other forms of sun protection.
What the Experts Say
According to the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS), babies and young children have especially sensitive skin and are more vulnerable to ultraviolet (UV) radiation than adults.
For babies younger than six months, the CPS recommends prioritizing:
- Keeping babies in the shade whenever possible.
- Dressing them in lightweight clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
- Using wide-brimmed hats that shade the face, ears and neck.
- Avoiding direct sun exposure, especially during peak UV hours.
If adequate shade and protective clothing aren’t available, the CPS notes that a small amount of sunscreen may be applied to limited exposed areas, such as the face or backs of the hands. Parents should always follow the advice of their healthcare provider for their individual child.
For babies older than six months, experts recommend applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to exposed skin before going outdoors and reapplying it every two hours, or more frequently after swimming or heavy sweating.
Sun Protection Is More Than Just Sunscreen
One misconception is that sunscreen alone provides complete protection.
The Canadian Dermatology Association recommends using multiple sun protection strategies together, including:
- Seeking shade whenever possible.
- Dressing children in lightweight, tightly woven clothing.
- Wearing wide-brimmed hats.
- Using UV-protective sunglasses.
- Applying broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen to exposed skin.
- Reapplying sunscreen regularly throughout the day.
Using several layers of protection offers the best defence against harmful UV rays.
Don’t Forget Cloudy Days
One finding that stood out in our poll was that 16.9% of parents only apply sunscreen on very sunny days.
However, according to Health Canada, ultraviolet radiation can penetrate cloud cover, meaning children can still receive significant UV exposure even when it’s overcast.
That means everyday walks, outdoor play and trips to the park can still require appropriate sun protection—even if the weather doesn’t feel especially hot.
Why This Matters
Childhood sunburns are more than just uncomfortable.
Research shows that excessive UV exposure during childhood increases the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. Building healthy sun protection habits early can help reduce cumulative lifetime UV damage.
Experts consistently emphasize that sunscreen should be viewed as one part of an overall sun safety strategy that also includes protective clothing, shade and limiting time in direct midday sun.
What CanadianParent Readers Told Us
Our poll suggests that many Canadian families are making sun protection a regular habit, with a majority reporting that sunscreen is applied every time they head outdoors with their baby.
At the same time, nearly half of respondents either use sunscreen inconsistently or remain uncertain about current recommendations. That highlights an ongoing opportunity for parents and caregivers to learn more about evidence-based sun safety—and to build simple habits that can help protect children’s skin for years to come.
Methodology
CanadianParent.ca surveyed 665 readers with the question: “When do you apply sunscreen to your baby?” A total of 665 responses were collected. Percentages have been rounded where appropriate.
Poll results reflect the opinions and experiences of CanadianParent.ca readers and are not intended to represent all Canadian parents. See the original poll.
Cite This Study
CanadianParent.ca. When Do You Apply Sunscreen to Your Baby? Survey of 665 CanadianParent.ca readers, 2026.
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