Clothes with sun protection

Not all clothes will prevent your child's skin being damaged by the sun. As a general rule, the darker the colour and closer the weave, the more protection a garment will give your child.

Ordinary clothing manufacturers are now beginning to test fabrics for their sun protection factor, and a new British Standard (BS7914) rates clothes for their SPF; look out for this on labels.

You can also buy bodysuits specifically designed to protect toddlers and older children playing in the water in the garden or on the beach: these are little bodysuits covering torso, thighs and arms, made from a stretchy fabric that shields a good percentage of the sun’s harmful rays.