We have an 18 month-old baby and are going to brave the Med this summer. What is your advice on the best way to protect our baby’s skin from the harmful effects of the sun? Lucy Richardson, Harrogate

A Sunday Times travel expert responds: ‘Slip, slap, slop’ is the Australian slogan for remembering how to protect themselves in the sun, and it works as well for babies, as it does for children and adults. Babies are even more vulnerable due to their delicate skin, so there are a few steps you must take to avoid them getting painful sunburn, especially now that the link between sunburn as a child and skin cancer is proven.

First, slip on a shirt. A T-shirt or long sleeved T-shirt is better than nothing, but special UV (Ultra Violet) protective clothing is better still.

Then slap on a hat. This should have a brim all the way round, or be Legionnaire style, with the back flap to protect your baby’s neck.

Finally, slop on some sun-cream. It needs to be formulated for baby skin, as using adult cream is likely to irritate a baby’s skin, and think big when choosing the SPF factor – anything less than 30 won’t do (even higher for fair-skinned, blonde and red-haired children).

Even with this protection, it pays to keep to the shade, and avoid being outdoors with a baby in the middle of the day, when the sun is at it’s most dangerous.

Times recommends

• The three best routes to the Med
• How to cash in on your holiday money
• 10 tips for the perfectly packed suitcase