s/o Sunblock: does your ped recommend it?

OliveBaby · June 2011

So a couple of you have said your ped said sunblock (not sunscreen) was ok, and now I'm starting to wonder whether our ped is on crack.

What has your ped said?

Gidgetwho · June 2011

MIne said not until 6 months, but I used it on my DD earlier. I figured it couldn't be worse for her skin than sunburn.

JenGarden · June 2011

Our pedi said that sunblock was fine at our 4 mo appt., but to make sure to spot-test it first on a day that we wouldn't be out in the sun.

julesmarie80 · June 2011

Mine said it was fine because it was better than a sunburn, but to keep him covered as much as possible.

The baby stuff I use is sunscreen, not sunblock. Is it really that bad??

curlydoglover · June 2011

Sunscreen - not before 6 months, use sparingly after. She prefers sunblock to sunscreen and using covering clothes before sunscreen.

Sunblock - use sparingly before 6 months, is totally fine after. She would prefer to use covering clothes before 6 months of age but those few days when it was in the high 90s and he was sweating in anything heavier than a short-sleeve onesie, she said absolutely use sunblock if we were going out.

So, generally, use covering clothes when possible. Use sunblock instead of sunscreen. If nothing else is available, sunscreen is ok.

our1stbaby2010 · June 2011

Yes, we use California Baby.

KissyFishyLips · June 2011

I asked mine at the 4-month appointment. She definitely recommended sunblock, but said to avoid putting it on LO's hands and face (so that it doesn't get ingested).

That said, I do put a little on her hands and face because I don't want her to burn. I wear a floppy hat on her when possible, but want to make sure she doesn't end up with sunburn on her nose or something. It makes her break out on her face though

curlydoglover · June 2011

julesmarie80:
Mine said it was fine because it was better than a sunburn, but to keep him covered as much as possible.

The baby stuff I use is sunscreen, not sunblock. Is it really that bad??

It depends. There's a really great post from another mom who's a pediatric dermatologist:

https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/35113032.aspx?MsdVisit=1

curlydoglover · June 2011

KissyFishyLips:
I asked mine at the 4-month appointment. She definitely recommended sunblock, but said to avoid putting it on LO's hands and face (so that it doesn't get ingested).
That said, I do put a little on her hands and face because I don't want her to burn. I wear a floppy hat on her when possible, but want to make sure she doesn't end up with sunburn on her nose or something. It makes her break out on her face though

I put it on B's cheeks, nose and forehead. I also put it on/in his ears! Very important for my kid, since they stick out a bit.

I do try to avoid his mouth and don't deliberately put it on his hands cause he's teething and shoving his fist in his mouth whenever he can.

He also always wears a hat.

Smores730 · June 2011

Mine recommends all natural brands of sun block for their absence of chemicals and no worry of ingestion. The 1st two ingredients of the one I use currently are extra virgin olive oil and beeswax

OliveBaby · June 2011

curlydoglover:
julesmarie80:

Mine said it was fine because it was better than a sunburn, but to keep him covered as much as possible.

The baby stuff I use is sunscreen, not sunblock. Is it really that bad??

It depends. There's a really great post from another mom who's a pediatric dermatologist:

https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/35113032.aspx?MsdVisit=1

Awesome! Thank you!

EMOmamma · June 2011

JenGarden:
Our pedi said that sunblock was fine at our 4 mo appt., but to make sure to spot-test it first on a day that we wouldn't be out in the sun.

curlydoglover:

Sunblock - use sparingly before 6 months, is totally fine after. She would prefer to use covering clothes before 6 months of age but those few days when it was in the high 90s and he was sweating in anything heavier than a short-sleeve onesie, she said absolutely use sunblock if we were going out.

This and This

And our pedi said no sprays (because of the inhalation risks)

And here's another link that I found helpful:

https://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/best-sunscreens/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/

stephy1221 · June 2011

Mine said use not to use anything until she is 6 months old. Just to keep her protected from the sun with her clothing, hats, shaded areas etc.

TBLilyRose · June 2011

She said we could use it before 6 months sparingly and that it is okay after 6 months.

Rink08 · June 2011

Our ped gives the ok for sunblock from the beginning and says that it's better to have the sunblock on him than to have him get burnt. He also strongly recommended putting it on LO's head whenever it's sunny since he barely has any hair.

The ped (not the same one) that I was a nanny for also had me using sunblock on her youngest when he was 6 weeks old.

cupcakes710 · June 2011

WHAT is the difference between sunscreen and sunblock?? I thought it was the same thing. I'm not sure which word I use but I asked about it and my pedi said it's ok since she's 6 months.