January 2013 Moms

reason behind no sunscreen rule?

its supposed to get into the 90's this weekend though the week here.. shoot me now, but i bought baby sunscreen and fully intend on using it when we go out. i did buy the BabyGanics paba/paraben/sufate etc. free kind. but i have heard the rule, but not sure why you wouldn't put sunscreen on a baby if there will be sun exposure. why do they have the no sunscreen until 6 month rule?? i get that you should keep baby out of the sun as much as possible, which we do, but when your out for the day there is only so much shading you can do. 

i can't see how sunscreen can do more damage then the sun if you purchase the right kind. & why do drs see sunscreen to be the greater of 2 evils? 

image
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

Re: reason behind no sunscreen rule?

  • I think it's due to all the chemicals in the sunscreen and that their skin is more porous and absorbs things quicker and easier than ours do. 

    I read a very interesting article by Lucie's List this past weekend which details the difference between sunscreen and sunblock (um, had no idea there was a difference). https://www.lucieslist.com/lucies-list-blog/2013/5/2/guide-to-summer-part-1-sunscreens-and-such.html

    We have a beach vacation coming up, so I'm thinking we will be investing in some sunblock here shortly. 

    BFP 5.21.12 ~~ Born 1.28.13
    BFP 8.14.15 ~~ Due 4.22.16
    Pregnancy Ticker
  • I used some today. We were out in 90 degree weather all day, and I couldn't shield him from the sun the whole time. I don't see how 6 months is a magic number where the skin can handle it. Is it taboo at 5 months 3 weeks? 

    Obviously, this will not be a daily thing, but I felt like it was better than a sunburn on an infant.

     

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • Loading the player...
  • Our ped actually mentioned at his 4 month check up to go ahead and put sunblock on him if needed.  

    I'm terribly allergic to oxybenzone, one of the most common ingredients in sunscreens, so I have to stick to sunblocks.  After looking into it more, reactions to it aren't uncommon.  Then there's research saying that oxybenozone is a hormone disruptor, and even the FDA (I think) said, yes, that's true, but that the levels aren't high enough to cause real damage, whatever that means :/  On babies, I personally stick to blocks (even if I didn't have the allergy).   

  • imagerunlong3:

    I think it's due to all the chemicals in the sunscreen and that their skin is more porous and absorbs things quicker and easier than ours do. 

    I read a very interesting article by Lucie's List this past weekend which details the difference between sunscreen and sunblock (um, had no idea there was a difference). https://www.lucieslist.com/lucies-list-blog/2013/5/2/guide-to-summer-part-1-sunscreens-and-such.html

    We have a beach vacation coming up, so I'm thinking we will be investing in some sunblock here shortly. 

    thank you for that link! i actually unknowingly bought the sunblock (mineral) version instead of screen (mainly because it was $2 cheaper)!  

    image
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • My dermatologist said sunblock will give you a false sense of security. Block does not mean hidden from all damaging rays. It is like tinted windows not an awning for the car. Your baby will still be exposed to the harmful rays and baby's skin is so sensitive they will burn no matter what. Don't risk it. You'll be putting your child at risk in the sun AND putting potentially harmful chemicals on them and putting them in the sun to bake into their skin. Not a good idea per physicians or common sense.
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • imagezonagirlie:
    My dermatologist said sunblock will give you a false sense of security. Block does not mean hidden from all damaging rays. It is like tinted windows not an awning for the car. Your baby will still be exposed to the harmful rays and baby's skin is so sensitive they will burn no matter what. Don't risk it. You'll be putting your child at risk in the sun AND putting potentially harmful chemicals on them and putting them in the sun to bake into their skin. Not a good idea per physicians or common sense.


    Um, yeah, this is completely wrong. I live in FL. Unless we become hermits we have to put sunscreen on our babies. My daughter has been to Disney World and the beach, no burns. All my friends kids, no burns. We buy the pure 2 ingredients sunblock. All pedis here say use sunscreen! Its way better than a baby with a second degree burn.
    Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
  • No you're wrong. And rude.
    "You're at the beach, slathered in sunscreen. Your 5monthold baby is there, too. Should you put sunscreen on her? Not usually, according to Hari Cheryl Sachs, M.D., a pediatrician at the Food and Drug Administration FDA."
    "The best approach is to keep infants under 6 months out of the sun," Sachs says, "and to avoid exposure to the sun in the hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when ultraviolet UV rays are most intense."
    "For one thing, babies' skin is much thinner than that of adults, and it absorbs the active, chemical ingredients in sunscreen more easily, explains Sachs. For another, infants have a high surfacearea to bodyweight ratio compared to older children and adults. Both these factors mean that an infant's exposure to the chemicals in sunscreens is much greater, increasing the risk of allergic reaction or inflammation.
    The best protection is to keep your baby in the shade, if possible, Sachs says. If there's no natural shade, create your own with an umbrella or the canopy of the stroller.
    If there's no way to keep an infant out of the sun, you can apply a small amount of sunscreenwith a sun protection factor SPF of at least 15to small areas such as the cheeks and back of the hands. Sachs suggests testing your baby's sensitivity to sunscreen by first trying a small amount on the inner wrist."
    The American Academy of Pediatrics AAP suggests dressing infants in lightweight long pants, longsleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn. Tight weaves are better than loose. Keep in mind that while baseball caps are cute, they don't shade the neck and ears."

    Don't tell someone they're wrong if they've done their research AND spoken to a medical specialist.
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • Our Ped gave us the green light for sunscreen when we want to start using it.  She said they dont recommend it on babies under 6 months mainly because it's not tested on babies younger than that.  She said as long as we are trying our best keeping him out of direct sun for long periods of time and using hats and shade, then a little sunscreen would be fine.  She did suggest BabyGanics or California Baby.  

     

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • The chemicals in sunscreen get absorbed into the skin and they can be dangerous.  Sunblock does not get absorbed into the skin so it is safe for babies under 6 months.  This is what my ped told me and I did a little research and found it to be true. 
    BabyName Ticker BabyFetus Ticker
  • Of course zero sun exposure is the best option, but that's not always realistic.. In which case, use sunscreen rather than your baby getting burned.

    Seems pretty clear cut to me.
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic 

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker


    Pregnancy Ticker
  • Agreed with PPs.  Baby's skin is so delicate, the best course of action is to try to keep them out of the sun as much as possible.  Some sun is fine, but just very limited exposure is all.  If that's not possible it's okay to use sunblock (real sunblock.  Screen and block are sometimes used interchangeably, but they mean different things.  One forms a barrier and sits on top of the skin, the other is absorbed into the skin).  The no sunscreen rule has to do with the chemicals mostly.  But really, sunscreen isn't the best option for anyone because of the chemicals.  Sunblock is better, especially for little ones :)  

    I try to keep DD's sun exposure limited, but yesterday we didn't have any other options so I used some sunblock on her legs.  The rest of her was covered because I was wearing her and she had a hat on.   

    imagephoto 64bf363d-3af0-4dcc-b880-c06326daa418_zps78d8d389.jpg
    *My Blog*
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

    photo 0cc607b9-4233-4842-8175-d093f8f92ca8_zps7cc00875.jpg
    10/50 Read

    my read shelf:
    Stephanie's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)
  • imagezonagirlie:
    No you're wrong. And rude.
    "You're at the beach, slathered in sunscreen. Your 5monthold baby is there, too. Should you put sunscreen on her? Not usually, according to Hari Cheryl Sachs, M.D., a pediatrician at the Food and Drug Administration FDA."
    "The best approach is to keep infants under 6 months out of the sun," Sachs says, "and to avoid exposure to the sun in the hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when ultraviolet UV rays are most intense."
    "For one thing, babies' skin is much thinner than that of adults, and it absorbs the active, chemical ingredients in sunscreen more easily, explains Sachs. For another, infants have a high surfacearea to bodyweight ratio compared to older children and adults. Both these factors mean that an infant's exposure to the chemicals in sunscreens is much greater, increasing the risk of allergic reaction or inflammation.
    The best protection is to keep your baby in the shade, if possible, Sachs says. If there's no natural shade, create your own with an umbrella or the canopy of the stroller.
    If there's no way to keep an infant out of the sun, you can apply a small amount of sunscreenwith a sun protection factor SPF of at least 15to small areas such as the cheeks and back of the hands. Sachs suggests testing your baby's sensitivity to sunscreen by first trying a small amount on the inner wrist."
    The American Academy of Pediatrics AAP suggests dressing infants in lightweight long pants, longsleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn. Tight weaves are better than loose. Keep in mind that while baseball caps are cute, they don't shade the neck and ears."

    Don't tell someone they're wrong if they've done their research AND spoken to a medical specialist.


    Oh, ok, so the 6 medical specialists myself and the 15 other moms I know are all wrong. And I also did extensive research on the subject. In climates where you literally cannot avoid the sun, sun protection is far better than a burn.
    Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
  • Also its not like I'm pro chemicals. I had a natural med free birth. We EBF. I'm pretty damn granola. I'm the only hardass who won't put my baby in the pool until 6 months.
    Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
  • If light weight long sleeved clothes and hats and shade are not options then ya use sun block. (not screen). They are very different.  A block does not absorb, remember when zinc was so popular in the 80's and it was neon colours and it as visible on your skin...thats what you want.  You want a block made of zinc and titanium, these reflect the sun off your skin rather than a screen that absorbs the sun.  At the end of the day, do what you feel is best for your LO.  I will do my very best to not use it before 6 months, but I agree that a burn is much worse.  Studies shows that even one sun burn before the age of 15 significantly increases the risk of melanoma (skin cancer).
    Pregnancy Ticker
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • I love this website:

    https://safemama.com/cheatsheets/sunscreen/

    It talks about what is safe/unsafe and then it lists tons of sunscreens and reviews them based on safety for their skin, how easily they go on or rub in, how long they last, etc. It's really great!
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker BabyFruit Ticker
  • Like other PPs have said, it is due to the chemicals and I believe some schools treat it as an OTC drug.

    As of June, Sunblocks will be following new labelling rules. Look for broad spectrum, can't claim to be SPF 75 or 100 (must say 50+ as the FDA says there is no proof that anything above that is more effective at protecting you), and has to say waterproof or sweatproof for a certain amount of time. I just read this all the other day, I had no idea about any of this either.

    I believe sunblock is fine if you really can not avoid the sun, but look at the label. Zinc Oxide ( and I forget what the other one was) is safe for babies. I would still ask your pedi of course.

    Lilypie First Birthday tickersLilypie Second Birthday tickers

    image



    image
  • skin cancer runs in my family. i take this very seriously. I asked both my derm and pedi they both said sunblock should be used if uncontrolled sun exposure is apparent . But sunblock is keep the baby out. I've purchased a tent for the beach and a tube with a canopy over it. Also purchase Aveeno baby sunblock. 

     

    i tested a small part on her leg to make sure no reaction. she was fine.

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0035X4NNE/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

     also saw it in walmart

    dont forget to protect their eyes

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DCVEZY/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    tent for beach

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014I4TYA/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

     

  • I also have a one-year-old. I am not spending my summer in the house with both boys. We will be outside as much as possible this summer.  If that makes me a bad mom, than maybe I am. Cole will have the proper clothes, tents, shade, etc as much as possible, but sunblock will also be used sparingly as suggested by my pedi. I would rather use some sunblock on my baby than not share a whole summer of life experiences with him. 
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • DD is 5 months old, I used a little sunblock on her today because we've been spending a lot of time in the sun. I know I saw to make sure if it's on their arms to not let them lick it.
  • My pedi is fine with sunblock and we use it now when we need to.
    imageBaby Birthday Ticker Ticker



This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"