The top brands for baby sunglasses and why your baby needs them

Why does my baby need sunglasses?

With ozone depletion occurring as much as 12% per year, it is more important now than ever to protect our children’s eyes from the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays coming from the sun. Since the skin around the eyes is also very sensitive, it is recommended for babies, toddlers and children to wear polarized sunglasses when in direct exposure to sunlight to prevent damage to their vision.
Babies are more susceptible to retinal damage from UV rays because the lens inside of the eye is clearer than that of an adult’s. Since the pigment in the eye has not yet fully developed, UV rays are able to penetrate much deeper into the eye. The risk of damage to the eyes and skin from solar UV radiation is cumulative. 
This means that the danger continues to grow as we spend more time in the sun throughout our lifetime. It is also important to consider the fact that the damage will accumulate over time as the cells of the lens of the eye are never replenished. Damage from UV rays from the sun can lead to cataracts and retinal degeneration.
So, the earlier a baby starts to wear sunglasses, the less damage will occur later in their life.

Which brands can I trust?

The most important factors to consider when shopping for  baby sunglasses are the percentage of UVA and UVB rays that they block and whether or not they are polarized. If the sunglasses you are considering block less than 95% of UV rays, these do not offer enough protection and are not good enough for your baby. Having polarized lenses not only protects from UV rays but also protects from the glare that can come from the sun and light reflecting off of water or a solid surface. 


Babiators brand sunglasses offer 100% protection from UVA and UVB rays and can be both polarized or unpolarized. They are very flexible and come in all different colors. These sunglasses are great for babies who have very light sensitive eyes. Blue and lighter colored eyes are extremely light sensitive and are at most risk of damage from the sun. 
Babiators has the option to add tinted prescription lenses to any of their frames and, when you register your frames on their website and you are eligible for their one year Lost & Found Guarantee to replace any lost or broken frames.


 

Julbo is a more athletic oriented brand that specializes in baby sunglasses, prescription sunglasses and  ski masks. They come in very small sizes, offer 100% UVA and UVB protection and offer polarized lenses. The most popular styles for babies are the Julbo Looping 1, 2 and 3 sunglasses because they have a reversible design. This means that even if your baby wants to wear them upside down, they will still be totally protected.
 

How do I get my baby to wear sunglasses?

One of the most common concerns parents have when buying sunglasses for their baby is how they will get them to keep them on. Just like trying to teach them how to tie their shoes, getting babies to keep a pair of sunglasses is a matter of routine. Wearing a hat is simply not enough protection because, while a hat will block the effects of the sun from above, there is still that glare coming off of every solid surface and causing damage from below. 
Try putting the sunglasses on every time you are going outdoors with your baby. Doing this routinely both at the same time will not only give them  the protection, but it will get them used to the feeling. Protecting your child’s eyesight is of the utmost importance and it is best to start as young as possible so they can avoid future problems.