Do Babies Need Sunglasses? A Parent's Guide

The short answer

When the UV is 3 or above, sunglasses are worth it, as one part of the plan rather than the whole of it. The World Health Organization says sun protection should be used once the UV Index reaches 3, and young eyes let more UV through than ours do.

For babies under 12 months, sunnies aren't the first line of defence. Cancer Council recommends keeping them out of direct sunlight when the UV is 3 or above. Its advice for babies also says to slide on sunglasses, if practical. They earn their keep in the bits of the day when the shade runs out, like the walk to the car or a pram sunshade that never quite reaches. And starting early has a bonus. It's your best shot at sunnies becoming a habit before they become a battle.

Why young eyes are different

A newborn's eye lets far more UV-A through to the retina than an adult's. According to the WHO, around 20% of UV-A reaches the retina at birth, compared with around 1 to 2% for adults. That figure falls gradually as children grow.

The WHO puts it plainly: children are particularly vulnerable to UV because of the structure of their skin and eyes, and a larger amount of UV can reach their retina.

It isn't only the sun overhead, either. Cancer Council notes that reflected and scattered light add to the total UV reaching the eyes. Dry beach sand reflects 15 to 18% of UV, and white sea surf reflects 25 to 30%. Worth knowing before your next beach day.

What to look for in baby sunglasses

A lens category on the label. Check the label, sticker or packaging for the lens category under the joint Australian and New Zealand standard, AS/NZS 1067.1:2016. Cancer Council recommends categories 2, 3 or 4.
Don't judge by darkness. SunSmart notes that lenses in categories 2, 3 and 4 absorb more than 95% of UV. The category number is about how dark the lens is, which is about glare. Darker doesn't automatically mean more UV protection.
A fit that sits close. Look for a pair that sits close to the face and covers as much of the eye area as possible. Add a broad-brimmed hat to help cover the gaps.
A strap for under-twos. A baby can't keep a pair on by willpower. A strap helps keep them on through pram rides and walks in the carrier.
Flexible frames. Little hands will grab, bend and test them. Soft, flexible frames are made for exactly that.
Polarised is a comfort extra. Polarised lenses cut glare off water and shiny surfaces, which makes bright days easier on the eyes. It's a comfort feature, not a measure of UV protection.

How to keep them on (a field guide)

Start before they can object. In our experience, the earlier you start, the better your odds of them actually keeping sunnies on. A baby who has worn them since the pram days treats them as part of going outside, like shoes. Mostly. A three-year-old meeting their first pair has opinions.
Short and sweet first. A few minutes at a time, then longer. Take them off before the protest, not after it.
Put them on before you leave the house. Pulling them out once the squinting starts is how they end up under the car seat.
Use the strap. It's not cheating. It's engineering.
Wear yours. Small people copy big people. This is the one time that works in your favour.
Let them choose the colour. From about toddler age, picking their own pair buys a surprising amount of cooperation.
Distract, don't negotiate. A snack, a song or a passing dog does more than any reasoning you can offer.

Sunnies are one part of the plan

Sunglasses work best as part of a team. Cancer Council and SunSmart say:

A broad-brimmed hat can reduce UV radiation to the eyes by 50%.
A broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses together can reduce UV radiation to the eyes by up to 98%.
Babies under 12 months should be kept away from direct sunlight when UV levels reach 3 or above. Shade, covering clothing and a hat come first.
Sunscreen on babies under six months is not generally recommended, because their skin is very sensitive. For older babies, Cancer Council calls it the last line of defence, after shade, clothing and a hat.

Check the UV Index before you head out. The WHO recommends sun protection once the UVI reaches 3.

Shop the 0 to 2 range

Hey Peeps is a family-owned Australian brand of sunglasses for ages 0 to 7.

All eleven of our lens models were independently measured against AS/NZS 1067.1:2016. Every one came back Category 3, with 99.9%+ UV protection. Every pair in our 0 to 2 range comes with a strap, and the frames are flexible, made for little hands that grab.