Summer is a favorite season for many children, but can be stressful for a parent wondering how to safely expose your baby to fun in the sun.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, over 90 percent of all skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun. Just one severe sunburn in childhood doubles the chances of developing melanoma later in life. With such staggering statistics, it's no wonder you want to pull down the shades and take cover inside, but fresh air and sun in moderation is healthy for you and your baby.

Be sure to have a fun-in-the-sun action plan and follow the below guidelines to ensure your baby is safe all summer long:

• The first, and best, line of defense against the sun is covering up. Have your children wear a hat, sunglasses and cotton clothing with a tight weave.
• Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours - between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Check with your pediatrician about sunscreen for babies under 6 months of age, and on both sunny and cloudy days use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater that protects against UVB and UVA rays.

Summer is a great time to get out and have fun, but remember, safety is first. Don't stress if your babe is not the beach bum you had hoped. You have all summer to have fun in the sun.