Summertime

raerae13

How old should baby be to sit outside in the summertime with me or by the pool?

youenjoymyself

We can't wear sunscreen until 6 months.

MrsHartman7

We've been sitting outside since lo was born, always under the umbrella or some other shade.  Shouldnt be an issue as long as its not too sweltering outside.

ASmallWonder

jennylyna:

We can't wear sunscreen until 6 months.

SunSCREEN is a definite no no before 6 months (and IMO, longer) because it's a chemical blockers that's absorbed into the skin.  SunBLOCK (the zinc oxide stuff) is better.  Of course, no one should be plopping a baby out in the sun - shade and proper cover/clothing is best - but if there's a chance baby could get exposed to the sun, sunblock is always the preference. 

lkm2006

My pedi said sunscreen is perfectly safe to use.

We haven't and I probably won't because I don't want LO out in the direct sun.

My mom has a pool so we are at it every single day now that it's warm. I sit under an umbrella or cover DS2 with a light blanket while ds1 is playing in the water.

ETA: sunscreen.. Sunblock.. I honestly don't know the difference as I just usually call it sunscreen.

Dolls2011

My pedi said sunscreen before 6 months is fine if needed. They only put that disclaimer on because it has never been tested on babies under 6 months so they can't say for certain that it is safe but they also can't say that it's not safe. Use your discretion. Have an umbrella handy and maybe a sunhat. If possible try to sit in the shade.

And sunscreen and sunblock are the same thing. I actually just read an article about this. Different brands do contain different ingredients but they are the same.

RachaelM24

Dolls2011:

My pedi said sunscreen before 6 months is fine if needed. They only put that disclaimer on because it has never been tested on babies under 6 months so they can't say for certain that it is safe but they also can't say that it's not safe. Use your discretion. Have an umbrella handy and maybe a sunhat. If possible try to sit in the shade. And sunscreen and sunblock are the same thing. I actually just read an article about this. Different brands do contain different ingredients but they are the same.

Agree! Our gave us some good recommendations for sunscreen and said it is perfectly fine because it is better than a sun burn. Ask your pedi and they will be able to recommend a good kind. 

ASmallWonder

Dolls2011:

My pedi said sunscreen before 6 months is fine if needed. They only put that disclaimer on because it has never been tested on babies under 6 months so they can't say for certain that it is safe but they also can't say that it's not safe. Use your discretion. Have an umbrella handy and maybe a sunhat. If possible try to sit in the shade. And sunscreen and sunblock are the same thing. I actually just read an article about this. Different brands do contain different ingredients but they are the same.

This isn't true.  It IS true that there's not enough regulation and some things are called sunblock when they're not but they ARE different and you have to read the ingredients to be sure you're getting what you're intending to get.  A sunscreen is a lot of chemicals that seep into the skin.  True sunblocks are a physical blocker that rest on top of the skin - that's the zinc that looks white and is hard to rub in.  It forms a physical barrier on top of the skin to keep the damaging rays at bay. 

here goes nothing

We bought a UV cover (15$ walmart) that fits over the stroller.  (or anything else for that matter)  I haven't tried it yet b/c we've had terrible weather all May (even some snow yesterday!)  But, it could be a practical solution...  

Cellis

elmoali:

Dolls2011:

My pedi said sunscreen before 6 months is fine if needed. They only put that disclaimer on because it has never been tested on babies under 6 months so they can't say for certain that it is safe but they also can't say that it's not safe. Use your discretion. Have an umbrella handy and maybe a sunhat. If possible try to sit in the shade. And sunscreen and sunblock are the same thing. I actually just read an article about this. Different brands do contain different ingredients but they are the same.

This isn't true.  It IS true that there's not enough regulation and some things are called sunblock when they're not but they ARE different and you have to read the ingredients to be sure you're getting what you're intending to get.  A sunscreen is a lot of chemicals that seep into the skin.  True sunblocks are a physical blocker that rest on top of the skin - that's the zinc that looks white and is hard to rub in.  It forms a physical barrier on top of the skin to keep the damaging rays at bay. 

Yes. Sunblock reflects the sun's rays and sunscreen absorbs them. 

swelniak

elmoali:

Dolls2011:

My pedi said sunscreen before 6 months is fine if needed. They only put that disclaimer on because it has never been tested on babies under 6 months so they can't say for certain that it is safe but they also can't say that it's not safe. Use your discretion. Have an umbrella handy and maybe a sunhat. If possible try to sit in the shade.

And sunscreen and sunblock are the same thing. I actually just read an article about this. Different brands do contain different ingredients but they are the same.

This isn't true.  It IS true that there's not enough regulation and some things are called sunblock when they're not but they ARE different and you have to read the ingredients to be sure you're getting what you're intending to get.  A sunscreen is a lot of chemicals that seep into the skin.  True sunblocks are a physical blocker that rest on top of the skin - that's the zinc that looks white and is hard to rub in.  It forms a physical barrier on top of the skin to keep the damaging rays at bay. 

The thing is that we use the neutrogena pure and free sunSCREEN AND it's the zinc oxide, so I don't see how there's a difference. It's the white stuff that's hard to rub in. The bottle says under 6 months ask a doctor and our pedi says its fine.

Cellis

swelniak:

elmoali:

Dolls2011:

My pedi said sunscreen before 6 months is fine if needed. They only put that disclaimer on because it has never been tested on babies under 6 months so they can't say for certain that it is safe but they also can't say that it's not safe. Use your discretion. Have an umbrella handy and maybe a sunhat. If possible try to sit in the shade. And sunscreen and sunblock are the same thing. I actually just read an article about this. Different brands do contain different ingredients but they are the same.

This isn't true.  It IS true that there's not enough regulation and some things are called sunblock when they're not but they ARE different and you have to read the ingredients to be sure you're getting what you're intending to get.  A sunscreen is a lot of chemicals that seep into the skin.  True sunblocks are a physical blocker that rest on top of the skin - that's the zinc that looks white and is hard to rub in.  It forms a physical barrier on top of the skin to keep the damaging rays at bay. 

The thing is that we use the neutrogena pure and free sunSCREEN AND it's the zinc oxide, so I don't see how there's a difference. It's the white stuff that's hard to rub in. The bottle says under 6 months ask a doctor and our pedi says its fine.

A company may choose to label something a certain way, but if the main ingredient used to block the sun is zinc oxide or Titanium Dioxide then it is a sunblock.

This might help explain it a little bit:
https://www.news-medical.net/news/2007/08/07/28543.aspx

jahjbmr

I spent 20 minutes in the sunscreen aisle at Walmart the other day, not a single bottle there says sunBLOCK. We ended up with aveeno baby sunscreen. Dr said use just a little if needed

ASmallWonder

jahjbmr:

I spent 20 minutes in the sunscreen aisle at Walmart the other day, not a single bottle there says sunBLOCK. We ended up with aveeno baby sunscreen. Dr said use just a little if needed

You have to read the active ingredients because the sunscreen/sunblock distinction isn't always evident in name.  You're looking for zinc oxide or titatium dioxide.  Neutrogena Baby is a physical blocker and there are a few others that people like - I want to say Blue Lizard is one.  I just bought BabyGanics the other day.