Question about infants wearing sunscreen: Why is it bad?

carasizemore

I was talking to another Bumpie on Facebook last night, trying to figure out the thinking behind why sunscreen is bad for infants under 6 months old. She and I are both taking vacations when our girls are young: around 3 and 4 months old (we're going to Hawaii for almost two weeks in July) and I'd feel more comfortable with putting sunscreen on Madelyn to be honest....  Anyone know why it's supposed to be bad for them though???

Thanks!

GreekyPie

linky

UrbanLe1

I'm not going to jump into the debate (don't know enough about it)...but I can recommend to you what my doc told us.  She told us to get the wipes--recommended the Baby Silk brand as the most gentle.  Obviously, lightweight cotton clothes in long sleeves, or a light muslin wrap, are the best things to keep baby covered, but if you're in a really sunny climate, the wipes are the way to go!

wildfloweragain

I think because they could have a reaction.  Everything outside the womb is new on their bodies.  They recommend just keeping the baby out of the sun.  They sell things to shade the baby from the sun when you are on the beach.  I wouldn't take a 3-4 month old to the beach anyway.

doyous&idos

When we interviewed Pedi's we asked about sunscreen since DH and I are both fair skinned. She said blue lizard sunscreen and neutragena are safe for babies under 6 months. Cover as much skin as you can with clothing and put sunscreen on the rest. It's better to put a little sunscreen on them than to have a burnt baby.

StrawberryAlarmClock

Parents are told not to use it so that they do not rely on it and they cover LO and keep him/her out of direct sunlight b/c a sunburn under 12mo is extremely serious.  Small babies can't control their body temp either and shouldn't be out in direct sun for that reason, either.

Also: Sunscreen had not been proven harmless so it is assumed harmful. 

Ciarrai

Their skin is very thin and porous which means the sun screen is absorbed through it more easily and in a larger quantity - like could get into the blood stream.  Also, their skin is really really sensitive so by just saying "no time in the sun," pedis are trying to protect babies from getting burnt which they can (and will) even with the best sunscreen.  That said, my pedi said he'd rather they wear sunscreen early than get burnt.  Both my girls have had it on by about 4 months or so - maybe even 3.  My parents live in FL and we're total water people.  We spent most of DD#2's first summer at a neighborhood pool starting when she was about 4-5 months.  We live in Texas so pools open in early May.  She was in the stroller totally shaded, but I still used baby sunscreen on it.  (FWIW - I like the baby Aveeno best.) 

wildfloweragain

You also want to think of the baby's eyes with the sun.

yourmomwreckedmybike

i have never heard that sunscreen in bad for babys under 6 months old. I know they have extra sensitive sunscreen for infants (not that i have read the label to see if there was an age limit).

My friend came to Mexico with her 4 month old girl and used baby sunscreen on her. I didn't bother to ask her if it was safe. 

But as a PP said, they could react to the stuff in the sunscreen.

Do some research, i am sure lots of other people have asked the same question.