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March 2011 Moms
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What's the verdict on suncreen?

elle980elle980
in March 2011 Moms

I have heard different answers.  My doctor told me not to use under 6 months of age.  I have head other people's doctors OK the use and say that it is better than nothing.  I am going to lake with my family for the week and am trying to determine if I should use sunscreen or not.  I definitely don't plan on having DS out in the sun all day - will just have him out possibly before 10:30a or after 3:30p one or two days.  I have also bought him swim clothes with SPF in it and a floater with a sun shade over it. 

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Re: What's the verdict on suncreen?

  • apricotyapricoty

    I'd agree with your doc - just keep the baby out of the sun.  :)  My doc says no sunscreen before 1 year of age.

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  • aubreyaliseaubreyalise member
    my pedi says nothing before 6 months and i am going to stick with that. there was a post going around a while ago about sunblock vs sunscreen and sunblock is ok even when they're super tiny. but i read something else that says it's not about the chemicals, it's about LO's inability to regulate their temperature with their pores covered. i asked the pedi after reading that and she agreed. luckily our beach trip isn't until late september :)
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  • Phil&CorinnaPhil&Corinna member

    I put sunblock on DS.   He was fine.  I'm very fair (burn in 10 minutes or less) and even though I sit in the shade, sometimes there's exposure.  If DS has my skin, he would get too much sun, even if I'm under a tree or a gazebo.  I'm not going to sit in the house all summer because of it.  The American Cancer Society recommends using sunscreen on the hands and face since they're not covered, at any age, even before 6 months. 

    Also, we're going to FL in August and DS will be 5 months - there's no way I'm NOT putting sunscreen on him there.  Unfortunately we don't have any options when to go either, as we can't take SS out of school.  I figure I'll try the different baby sunblocks available here and rated with the least toxicity (as per the EWG) and make sure he doesn't have any reactions to them before we travel.

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  • mrswright2006mrswright2006 member
    There is no way I would risk sunburn on a baby H's age.  I have used a true sunblock on him twice now, and will use it whenever being outside for a period of time.  My mom has melanoma from years of sun abuse to her skin, and I am not about to do that to my children.  I am of the belief that occasional sunscreen use is better than risking sunburn, since even in the shade you are getting UVA and UVB rays. 
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  • nattnnattn member
    I cover DD as much as possible with big hats and things to shade her, but I've used sunblock a couple of times on parts of her that get exposed to the sun. Like, we went to the zoo one day and the cover on the stroller didn't cover her legs so I just put sunblock on her legs. It's over 100 degrees here every day so her wearing pants or long sleeves isn't an option.
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  • kelleighxnicolekelleighxnicole member

    I didn't even think about sunscreen being possibly dangerous to a baby, honestly! I just assumed it was not good to not put any on them, especially on dangerously sunny days. When outdoors, I keep DS out of direct sunlight, but in the car, since he is obv. rear-facing -- the sun beams in through the back window on his face and I try to cover him with the 'shield' part of the carseat, but it never stays in place, or DD (20 months old) gets hold of it and moves it. We don't have much shade around us when going for a walk so I just assumed it was best to sunscreen both kids. However, after reading everyone's comments, I see the overall opinion is just to avoid the sun best you can! I don't cover him in it, I just put it on his face/head.. but now I'll use it a lot less if at all. I'll have to see what my pedi. thinks, also.

     

    PS : I wonder why the bottles of 'baby' sunscreen don't specify age usage on the back? 

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  • gullterregullterre
    We live in FL and I use sunblock whenever DS is going to be exposed to the sun for longer than a few min at a time.  We have gone out on the boat a couple of times (later in the day) and I have definitely used it then.  We have mini fans with mist we use too to help keep him cooler.
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  • skioskio member

    My pedi also said no sunscreen under 6m. I keep C out of the sun as much as I can, but I will use a baby safe sunblock if I know she's gong to be in sunlight for an extended period. For example, we had an outdoor BBQ on Fathers Day and while our back yard is fairly shady, there is some sun and I know I couldn't count on everyone to keep her out of it all the time. It was warm and she was in a dress, so I put sunblock on her arms & legs so that I didn't have to worry about a burn. I made sure she had a hat on, too.

    I bought Neutrogena Pure & Free, and despite my pedi's rec, I am okay with applying it because it's primarily zinc oxide, which is the same thing as diaper rash cream. I also make sure I can wash it off within a few hours of applying.

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