Sunscreen

NatalieBier · June 2014

Anyone understand why babies can't have sunscreen until they are 6 mo? Taking LO to the lake for the 4th. I plan to have her shades at almost all times. But, for the few moments when not, is it bad to put a little kid safe organic sunscreen?

allyandmike24 · June 2014

My understanding from my pedi is that it's 2-fold:

1) babies under 6 months old can't regulate body temperature as easily as we do and they don't sweat effectively, so they should be under shade in hot weather and covered by tight-woven, long sleeves and hat if exposed to the sun.

2) sunscreen absorbs through the skin into the blood stream, and babies' skin is highly porous, so it tends to absorb more readily. Our pedi said that even if the sunscreen we used was organic, etc., she would still be absorbing some chemicals that are not easily processed at such an earlier age. After 6 months, she suggested a mineral-based sunBLOCK, which sits on the surface of the skin and uses zinc to reflect the sun.

Hope this helps!!

moonsparkles · June 2014

Dont know why. But our Dr. said if sun exposure absolutely can't be avoided then use the stuff with zinc oxide.

Here's an article:

https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/ask-heidi/sunscreen-for-baby.aspx

thomas930 · June 2014

My pedi said that I can use mineral based sunblock if the sun exposure was going to be unavoidable. I have two other kids so sometimes we just can't avoid the sun. I do try to dress him in the lightest clothes that cover most of him first then put some sunblock on what ever skin is exposed.

Smores730 · June 2014

Most popular brand sunscreens are FULL of horrible chemicals and some even make you more prone to skin cancer by wearing them. Making sure it has zinc oxide is not enough of a filter to avoid the bad ones. Search the EWG sunscreen guide for more info and you can even search for your brand to see whats really in it. We only use Badger brand right now and while I haven't put it on the baby yet, I would feel comfortable doing it if I had to. We keep LO in a rash guard, a hat, and in the shade as much as possible. We leave near a beach.

mamahann · June 2014

Our pedi said we can use a sunBLOCK starting now (DD is 12 weeks) if sun exposure is unavoidable. She said to test a very very small amount on her leg before using it all over.

I purchased 2 sunblocks based on this Lucie's List article - https://us7.campaign-archive2.com/?u=12377e23671e94a1a47460ebd&id=bb501604e0&e=ace7966e70

snmetz7 · June 2014

We went to the zoo last week and under pedi rec got a sunblock and used it only on her legs no hands or face and used a big floppy hat.

ksulli · June 2014

My pedi said use it already, because even in the shade you get some sun. We did the beach this weekend with a tent for shade, a long sleeve bathing suit with SPF 50, pants, hat and some sunscreen on her cheeks because that's what wasn't covered.

macynsnoop · June 2014

My pedi said it was fine as long as it was for babies & we washed it off later. I don't know what the big deal is, the butt rash ointment is pure zinc oxide, which is what sunscreen for babies is. So it's ok to put on the butt but not other parts??

MalyJ · June 2014

Our pedi said it was fine, just to be sure it was a hypoallergenic kind. We've used it several times with no issues.

Dixon813 · June 2014

Our Ped said to keep in shade/cover as much as possible but if not possible zinc oxide is what protects against the sun so she said we can use a little bit of diaper cream if need be.

cjpell0 · June 2014

Our ped said even though it's not approved for babies under 6 months, if we're out in the sun/shade put it on areas that can't be covered and wash it off once we get inside. A little sunblock is better than a burn

NatalieBier · June 2014

Thanks All! I have recently been reading that mineral based is the way to go if you use anything.

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