The Best Baby Sunglasses to Protect Your Little One in the Sun

The sun’s rays do more than warm you up and give you a big dose of Vitamin D—they can also damage unprotected eyes, which over time can lead to cataracts (cloudy vision) and macular degeneration (permanent vision loss in the central field of vision). If your child spends a lot of time outside—a lot being classified as long enough to get a tan or sunburn according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)—it’s especially important to protect their young peepers from UV exposure, as their eyes are more sensitive to UV light. In addition to a brimmed sun hat for babies and good-quality sunscreen, sunglasses for babies can help to ensure that they’re enjoying their time in the sun safely.

We’ve gathered some great, kid-friendly sunglasses that’ll safeguard your little one’s eyesight (and they’ll look pretty cool too).

Babylist’s Top Picks for the Best Baby Sunglasses

• Best Overall: Babiators Baby Navigators
• Best for Newborns: COCOSAND Baby Sunglasses with Strap
• Best for Toddlers: WeeFarers Children’s Sunglasses
• Best Stylish: Raybans RB9075S Kids
• Best with Strap: Baby Banz Sunglasses, 0-24 Months
• Best Polarized: Roshambo Baby Polarized Baby Shades

Babylist’s Picks for the Best

Best Overall Baby Sunglasses

Babiators Baby Navigators

$39.99

Add to Babylist

Buy

Amazon

$

39.99

Made of durable rubber frames and lenses that’ll hold up through being bent, crushed and even stepped on, Babiators are designed to keep up with rough-and-tumble babies and toddlers. The lenses on these sunnies come equipped with 100 percent UV protection for tiny eyes and the frames are available in several different colors. You can also choose polarized or mirrored lens versions. Fits children ages zero to five. And if your baby manages to destroy them or lose them within the first year, Babiators will replace your sunnies.

Best Sunglasses for Newborns

COCOSAND Baby Sunglasses with Strap

$16.99

Add to Babylist

Buy

Amazon

$

16.99

While the AAP recommends keeping babies under six months old out of direct sunlight, that doesn’t mean that you have to be trapped indoors when the sun is out (just prioritize shade whenever possible). Along with protecting their delicate skin from direct rays, these flexible sunglasses can protect your little one’s eyes while they’re out and about. Made for little ones up to two years old, these sunglasses have an adjustable strap that’ll allow you to tighten or loosen the fit so they are comfortable yet snug on even the tiniest noggin. The lenses block UVA and UVB rays and are scratch-resistant—which means they’ll even hold up to being gnawed on.

Best Sunglasses for Toddlers

WeeFarers Children's Sunglasses

$24.99

Add to Babylist

Buy

Amazon

$

24.99

Toddlers who are fiercely independent (which is most of them, really) will appreciate these stylish specs that they can easily slip on and off by themselves. The lenses offer 100 percent UV protection and are made of durable material that is resistant to typical toddler roughness (like being stepped on, sat on and tossed across the room). You can grab these glasses in sizes up to 7-12 years old and in a variety of colors.

Best Stylish Baby Sunglasses

Ray-Ban RB9075S Kids Sunglasses

$81.00

Add to Babylist

Buy

ray-ban.com

$

81.00

There’s nothing cuter than a baby in a stylish pair of sunglasses like these from Ray-Ban. Available in two sizes, for babies and toddlers, the green-tinted lenses help your baby see clearer (versus darker lenses) while blocking blue light. The rubberized frame is made with kids in mind, making them durable and long-lasting. The styles and colors of the frames have a cool vibe, but they are on the higher end of the price spectrum, so keep that in mind.

Best with Strap

Baby BANZ Infant Sunglasses

$13.86

Add to Babylist

Buy

Amazon

$

13.86

A lot of parents skip baby sunglasses because they can be a pain to convince your baby to keep on their face. Baby sunglasses with a strap help the glasses stay in place while also being more comfortable on little faces. This pair by Baby Banz has a wide strap, similar to swim goggles, that can be adjusted for the perfect fit. The soft, velcro-attached neoprene is comfortable for little ones who are getting used to rocking eye protection. They’re 100 percent UV-protected and are available in a host of colors and patterns.

Best Polarized Baby Sunglasses

Roshambo Baby Polarized Baby Shades - Black, 0-24 M

$20.00

Add to Babylist

Buy

Babylist

$

20.00

These featherweight sunglasses are quality-made: full UV protection, certified free of BPA and phthalates and so sturdy they can be twisted and chewed with no issues. The lenses are polarized too, which means that they minimize glare and allow your baby to see rich colors despite wearing sunglasses. Polarized lenses are especially useful for snowy activities and spending time near the water—where the glare can be intense.

Roshambo guarantees your baby won’t be able to destroy their shades. If, by some miracle, your little hulk does damage them in the first year, Roshambo will replace them. Add the strap and ear adjuster kit to help the shades stay on baby’s head, and keep the frames and lenses protected with this durable case.

How We Chose the Best Baby Sunglasses

• We analyzed the features of different baby sunglasses on the market, noting the features that would be helpful to parents and caregivers.
• We utilized the insights of me, the Babylist Commerce Editor, Latifah Miles, an expert in the baby product space.
• We reviewed customer reviews from hundreds of real Babylist parents.

Do Babies Need Sunglasses?

According to the AAP, sunglasses are an extra line of defense used to protect babies’ and toddlers’ eyes against the sun. But, if you’ve ever been around a baby, you already know that many of them won’t tolerate wearing sunglasses. Don’t freak out, though! Dr. Meenal Agarwal, a Canada-based optometrist, says that “wide-brim hat, umbrellas or the stroller’s canopy” can keep the sun from shining directly in your baby’s face. Also, give a few different styles a try—you may stumble upon one that your baby actually likes.

When Can Babies Wear Sunglasses?

Baby sunglasses come in sizes that can fit little ones as young as newborns, so if your new baby is going to spend some time outside, you should grab a pair. Keep in mind that infants under six months old should spend very limited time, if any at all, in direct sunlight.

What To Look For in Baby Sunglasses?

• Size. Like most baby clothing and accessories, baby sunglasses don’t have a consistent standardized sizing—it really depends on the brand. With that said, the sizing is categorized by age but if you’re still unsure about which size will work for your baby, take a peek at the brand’s sizing chart to get an idea. For newborns who will quickly outgrow glasses sized 0-3, you can opt for an adjustable strap style that’ll grow with them.
• Style. Baby sunglasses are available in two basic styles, a strap style and a typical slide-on style. If your baby isn’t comfortable wearing typical sunglasses, Dr. Marie Bodack says that “a strap can be worn to keep the sunglasses on the child’s face” so that they are less inclined to rip them off of their face. Depending on what your baby is willing to tolerate, you can opt for either.
• Polarized vs non-polarized. According to Dr. Agarwal explains that “Polarized sunglasses have a special coating that filters out horizontal light, reducing glare. Non-polarized sunglasses don’t have this coating, but both types are dark enough for a bright day.” If you’re trying to figure out which your baby needs, Dr. Agarwal says that polarized lenses are not a necessity for little eye but are a good choice if your tot is “highly sensitive to light or frequently engages in outdoor activities, especially on the water or in snowy conditions.”