Seeing red

mamasoup030 · June 2014

I would like to know if I am overreacting: Hayley came home from daycare with a faint but distinct sunburn today. They have asked parents to sign a sunscreen approval form and to send in sun sunscreen as well as put it on the children in the morning. With that policy known, I had a discussion with her teacher this morning that I had not put sunscreen on her because we haven't yet and do not know if she will have a reaction. For the time being since she is super pale, see picture below (pre sunburn), I asked that she be kept out of the sun at all times. They agreed and assured me the babies are never in the sun. I understand incidental sun exposure happens, but enough to get a burn? The teacher wasn't there when I picked her up, just the aide. How do I handle this when I drop her off on Wednesday, advice would be appreciated, I don't want to overreact but I sense this is the first in a lifetime of battles with the sun for my pale little baby girl.

JaysonandKristin · June 2014

Get a zinc oxide based sunscreen and try it on. You KNOW she will need it based on her skin tone. Try it -- a small patch somewhere. TODAY. Tomorrow, drop her off with sunscreen on and avoid this situation altogether.

cagoldi · June 2014

I would be upset. I wouldn't scream at them or anything, but I would express my concerns. Maybe there was a miscommunication. Just curious, is there a particular reason you have chosen not to apply sunscreen yet?

My dude is not as fair as I am, but I know he would burn easily given the chance. We keep sunscreen at DC, as well as a sunhat with SPF. I think it would be a good idea to bring a bonnet or something and leave it there, and tell them to make sure she is wearing it at all times when she is outside.

cagoldi · June 2014

JaysonandKristin said:
Get a zinc oxide based sunscreen and try it on. You KNOW she will need it based on her skin tone. Try it -- a small patch somewhere. TODAY. Tomorrow, drop her off with sunscreen on and avoid this situation altogether.

We've been using Babyganics and like it, and that's zinc oxide based. If he rubs his eyes after it's been applied it doesn't seem to bother him.

VegasGal1978 · June 2014

If your DC has any outside time you should try sunscreen on your daughter now. Like PP said, a zinc oxcide based product should be fine after 6mo. Sunscreen is better than a sunburn.

mamasoup030 · June 2014

Thank you all for the input! I did leave a sunhat there- that is what makes me the most stabby, the arms- ok I didn't have sunscreen, but there was a hat just for this purpose, I'd like to know why it was not on her head. She will wear it all afternoon with me, she doesn't pull it off.

The sunscreen, she has had reactions to so many lotions we were waiting, but I see now we can't wait any longer. She had meat for the first time this weekend, I didn't want to introduce both simultaneously in case there was a reaction to either one. However, after today, I will be doing the sunscreen. We have babyganics and kiss my face- I'll be putting some on her tomorrow when she is with grandma to see how she does.

Today I also included a pair of light cotton pants and a shirt because the A/C was on at daycare incase she was cold. She could have worn that outside if they wanted her protected.

But really the lack of a hat and the fact that a baby the teacher knew had no sunscreen on was left in the sunlight long enough to burn are my main concerns. I will be as calm as possible as suggested when voicing my concerns. Thanks for letting me know I'm not crazy for being seriously pissed off about this.

Mksbc · June 2014

We love the sunscreen from the Honest Company. S has super sensitive skin and it works really well for him!

fitmama418 · June 2014

+5,456 for Babyganics. It's a little messy but it absorbs into her skin quickly and doesn't have a harsh odor or anything.

mamasoup030 · June 2014

I put sunscreen on her foot and so far, no reaction, (yay!) so that part is good. But the daycare issue- we only do daycare on Mondays and Wednesdays so you have to wait until tomorrow for that part.

However, they did send their year-end survey out via email, so while I didn't specifically call them out for something I had not addressed with them yet, it did color some of my responses.

Karadee1 · June 2014

Ok - so did you originally ask them to keep her inside, or just in the shade? ("Out of the sun" could mean either.) I mean, if you knew they were going to take LO outside then really it's silly you wouldn't put sunscreen on beforehand or sign the form. Also, although LO may keep a hat on while you're around, it's reasonable to understand she may act different for other people for whatever reason. It seems like your DC did what they were supposed to do.

mamasoup030 · June 2014

@Karadee1‌ out of the sun- they are in a heavily wooded area with sun shades- there is no reason to expect baby would have been in the sun. The playground is not covered, but as she can't even crawl, she shouldn't be on it.

@Sing2phins‌ I did speak with them this morning. I explained that Hayley had come home with a sunburn, so today we had applied sunscreen. I included that yesterday was the first time she wore sunscreen and had not had a reaction and to please watch for one today and call me if they saw one. I also told them I had included an extra hat- they didn't even know where the first hat was (awesome), I reminded them to please have a hat on her at all times outside due to her fair skin, they said they will.

They assured me she had not been in the sun, I didn't argue the point. She got a sunburn sometime during the day so I do feel like I'm being lied to, but maybe it was partial sunlight? I don't know and I don't care, hopefully this clears it all up. If it happens again I will be more aggressive and will get the director involved if necessary. Thanks for remembering me Sing!

Karadee1 · June 2014

I know it's tough when you pick up your LO from daycare and something is wrong, like sunburn. I want to point out that it is possible to still get sunburn in the shade, especially during the summer. I don't know the specifics of your daycare or if you have issues other than this, but it is possible they aren't lying to you. Sunscreen is important even in the shade - UVB rays can get to the skin indirectly.

https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/shade/seek-the-shade

mamasoup030 · June 2014

Ok calling it lying was maybe a bit much- but when I say she had a sunburn and they respond with that's impossible because she was in the shade, it aggravates me. I come from the mentality where you own your actions, and if someone has a complaint you acknowledge their point and take steps to prevent it in the future.

I used to work at a child's camp both in college and after and dealing with parents was always difficult so I try to keep that in mind now that I am in the other role.

mamasoup030 · June 2014

Agreed. Hat on, play on!

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