Summer Safety for Baby

AOliveira11

Hi ladies!! 2 days late today and since OITNB doesn't come out until tomorrow, I'm spending my day online shopping and planning stuff to do this summer to help drop the baby weight and get back into shape (once clearance from the doctor of course).  My husband and I do plan on going down to Cape Cod for a day to Provincetown to walk the shops and spend some time as a family far away from our extended family who is driving me absolutely insane (and she's not even here yet!!).  Plus we have a zoo membership to our local zoo so I want to be able to get out and walk around the park with the dog as well as hit the zoo to get some exercise and fresh air close enough to our home that I can come back if needed, but does give me the opportunity to get out of the house.

We have the net thing that goes over the stroller, but what I wanted to ask everyone about since we're all in the same boat here with our new summer babies...are you going to use any sunscreen on baby, and what brand/spf level are you planning on using?  There are about 10,000 different combo's of brands and SPF's and I want to make sure she's protected.  We aren't going to be directly in the sun with her, but as we all know, the harmful heat can cause burns and the last thing I want is for her to be harmed by the harmful rays.  Plus, I plan on spending time in the yard outside and was going to put her in the pack'n'play with a crib sheet over it to keep the bugs out and give her some shade....but I feel like i'm missing a lot of sun safety rules to make sure she has a safe first summer, especially considering she's in a new environment. 

BMD8181

I didn't use sunscreen on my kids until they were about a year old, but I believe you can begin using it at 6 months. They were always covered up in their car seats or strollers. I can't think of a reason why your little one would be in the direct sun to even need it. I also didn't go outside too much in the summer because of the heat. My son would scream if he were too hot, so it's not like I was able to enjoy my time out there. I would discuss the heat and sunscreen with the pediatrician. 

xc1148

Most sunscreens/pediatricians will say not to use it on babies under 6 months. It's "probably" fine, but it's a lot of chemicals/ingredients to put on baby skin, plus you don't want a baby that young in direct sun.

None of that means you have to be stuck inside of course. Just remember babies are TERRIBLE at regulating their temperature, and if you are mildly warm, baby is probably really hot (especially if he/she is in a car seat or stroller!) so do frequent checks to see if they're sweating. I stuck with the light swaddle blankets when we went outside, and hats. Also I used the natural sunscreens (physical blocks like zinc, not chemicals). Other common sense things (avoid being in the sun between 11-2) and you'll be fine! Sunshine is healthy for mommy...the nice thing about a summer baby is we can go out late and still get warm air/sun

meggyme

Following this thread! My parents are getting a beach house for a week in the end of July and I'm trying to choose a good portable shade/umbrella that is well made, easy to put up and will last. So far I'm looking at one small tent-like one and one umbrella with side panels, but can't choose between them.

adiaz132003

Go to ewg.org.  It ranks products on a scale of 1-10, 1 being best and 10 being toxic.  Made me feel better about what goes on my baby.  And it's by product, not by brand.  For example, the pampers sensitive skin wipes are rated a 3 (I think) which is considered safe and pampers heavy duty wipes are like a 6 or 7.

Bear14+

My dr has always told me that even though recommendation is 6 months old, it's a lot worse to expose LO to sun than it is to use sunscreen. 

KMW26

I have to address this as a science teacher.    Xc1148, zinc is a chemical!  It's on the periodic table of elements!  Everything is a chemical!  (Even water) And zinc can be absorbed through the skin.

Soverthis

I plan to cover my baby's skin with light clothing, shade, a blanket and a hat and waiting to use any chemicals like sunscreen and bug spray until next yr. 

vmatt850

I'm a HUGE fan of the ewg skin deep database for any and everything that will go on baby's skin. We chose babyganics mineral sunscreen (available at Babies R Us) and even tested it on us - works great and scores well on ewg. A PP also mentioned that there's a top 10 sunscreens on ewg - lots of good stuff on there!

laurendiaz02

Just went to Ethan's first pediatrician appointment yesterday. Doctor said no sunscreen until 6 months. I asked about putting regular lotion for his dry skin on his hands but he doesn't recommend any lotion until at least a week old.