The sky is blue, the birds are singing, and the sun is out — it must be summer. While we all love to soak up the delicious warmth of the season, our babies need special protection. The sun is harsh on baby’s eyes and skin, so it’s essential that you have sun hats on hand for your little one whenever they’re going out in the sun.
WHAT TO CONSIDER
When shopping for the perfect baby beach hat for your little one, you should look for something that’s cool and breathable while also making sure that the most sensitive areas on their heads have shade. Babies’ eyes, ears, and faces are prone to burning, so keeping them cool and shaded is paramount. Also, babies under the age of 6 months can’t wear sunscreen yet, so baby beach hats offer more protection from the damaging UV rays in a fashionable, comfortable way.
The main things you need to look for in a hat is the shape or style of the hat, what the UPF rating is, the material it’s made from, and the mechanism the maker uses to ensure it will stay on your baby’s head as much as possible.
- Shape and Style: Obviously, all sun hats for babies will have some sort of brim — varying from an elevated ball cap to a bucket hat to a full hat with shielding fabric. You should choose the best beach hat for your baby, depending on your situation and your baby’s preferences. For example, some babies hate a hat with a flap.
- UPF Rating: Does it have at least a 50+ UPF/UVA rating? If that’s not signaled, does the maker tell you what percentage of the sun’s rays are blocked by the hat? This is a crucial product element to look for — but thankfully, every hat on our list is at least a UPF 50 or 97% sun blocking.
- Material: Some hats are made of moisture-wicking fabric, which is great for sweaty baby heads. Others are designed for children with sensitive skin and are of materials like cotton or wool.
- How Does It Stay Put?: Is it ties? Is it a loop with a tightener? Or is it an elastic-reinforced cap that fits like a hug? You might want to try a few different types to determine which one keeps the hat on the easiest for the longest time.
Whether you’re looking to stroll around shopping or you’re headed to a day at the park, these baby beach hats will keep your little one safe and cool.
