Do Babies Need to Wear Sunglasses?

Why Should Babies Wear Sunglasses?

Yes, babies’ should wear sunglasses with 100 percent UVA protection.

Most long-term eye damage from UV rays is from cumulative exposure. Cumulative exposure is how much our eyes are exposed to UV radiation during our lifetime.

Protecting your baby’s eyes from UV rays is the best way to protect their eyes in the long-term.

The lens inside your baby’s eyes allows more solar radiation to reach the retina than the lens of an adult eye.

Putting sunglasses on your eyes reduces the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration later in life. This is a condition that can lead to permanent vision loss.

Other Tips to Protect Your Baby from the Sun

A hat with a wide brim is a great accessory for your baby. A sun hat will help protect their delicate skin as well as their eyes.

You should also always apply sunscreen to your baby when spending time outdoors.

Baby and toddler sunglasses can be challenging to keep on children. Unless your child is very cooperative, baby sunglasses are not particularly practical. Many kids will pull off their sunglasses at the first chance they can get.

For the best chances of keeping sunglasses on your child, purchase sun protection eyewear specifically designed for babies. You can visit an optician for the best possible comfort and sizing for your child.

Benefits of Baby Sunglasses

There are many benefits to baby sunglasses. These include:

UV protection
UVB protection
UVA protection
Protects eye health
Shatter proof
Reduces the risk of eye damage or disease
Stylish

Sunglasses protect our eyes from damaging ultraviolet rays. Ultraviolet light relates to the development of cataracts and macular degeneration. It can also cause abnormal growths on or around the eye, such as pingueculae and pterygia.

Up to 25 percent of the UV damage harming our eyes in our life occurs by the age of 18.

This is because babies and children have much clearer lenses. Children's eyes can transmit 70 percent more UV rays than adults. By protecting your children with baby sunglasses, the risk of eye damage or disease reduces.

Best Baby Sunglasses

Any baby sunglasses you choose should offer 100 percent UVA/UVB protection. The best have lightweight polycarbonate lenses and a rubber frame.

Polycarbonate lenses are comfortable for your baby’s head and are also shatterproof. An adjustable strap can help hold them comfortably and firmly in place. As long as they aren’t too tight, they shouldn’t bother your baby.

When choosing baby sunglasses, check how much UVA and UVB protection they offer.

UVA rays are damaging to the skin, but can also reach the eye’s lens and retina. UVA rays lead to sunburn and reach below the outer layers of the skin. UVB rays are harmful to the retina and the front of the eye with overexposure and limited sun protection.

Best Brands

The best brands of baby sunglasses include:

Baby Banz

Banz has been helping parents protect their baby’s eyes, skin, and ears for 20 years.

Baby Banz sunglasses feature wrap-around 100% UV protection. They are the standard for children’s sun protection eyewear worldwide.

The lenses of Baby Banz sunglasses are UV400 lenses, category four. They protect their eyes from the whole spectrum of UVA, UVB, and UVC rays from the sun.

Baby Banz frames and lenses are created from polycarbonate material. This makes the sunglasses shatterproof and almost indestructible.

The wrap-around headbands are Neoprene. Neoprene is the same material used for wetsuits. It is stretchy, smooth, and easy to clean with soap and water.

This flexible rubber is soft and comfortable around your baby’s head. It also safely holds the sunglasses over your child’s eyes. Neoprene floats in water so you won't lose them at the swimming pool or beach.

$16.39 on Amazon

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Babiators

The sunglasses from Babiators are designed to let kids be kids. They are highly durable and almost unbreakable. They also provide complete UVA and UVB protection.

Babiators was established in 2011 to create high-quality, affordable, safe, and stylish sun protection for children.

Today the brand is fast-growing and is quickly becoming a leading children’s retail company. In 2014, Forbes magazine named Babiators as one of America’s Most Promising Companies of the year.

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Hipsterkid Sunglasses

Hipsterkid produces functional, stylish, and gender-neutral children’s accessories inspired by life in Brooklyn, New York.

The brand’s sunglasses are inspired by the colors, energy, and textures of the borough. The sunglasses are designed to be fun and trendy. They also provide 100% sun protection from UVA and UVB protection.

They are also shatter-resistant, durable, and free of BPA, Phthalates, and PVC.

If you’re looking for retro, cateye, or aviator sunglasses for your baby boy or girl, take a look at Hipsterkid’s collection.

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Real Kids Shades

The sunglasses are generally produced for kids. However, there are Real Kids shades for all ages, including babies and toddlers.

As well as being almost unbreakable, Real Shades glasses are protective, fashionable, and comfortable.

The sunglasses feature high-quality materials that offer children the protection and comfort they require to wear them all day. The Real Shades eyewear provides 100 percent UV protection to ensure that babies’ eyes remain healthy.

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Roshambo Baby

Roshambo Baby sunglasses come in a classic wayfarer style. These glasses fit ages from zero to two years, depending on your baby’s head size.

The sunglasses are ultra-durable, almost indestructible, and created from a lightweight material designed for a baby’s lifestyle.

All Roshambo Baby sunglasses are BPA, lead and latex-free, smart parts tested, and are produced in Italy. The soft rubber frames can fit prescription glasses too. Select the lens and frame shade to create the ideal polarized lenses for your baby.

$23.99 on Amazon

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