Sunscreen Recommendation for Babies

Updated on December 07, 2009
S.B. asks from Mission, KS
16 answers

We are planning to take our 5 month old on a tropical vacation. He has a sun hat and long sleeve swimwear. But I am wondering about sunscreen. I am afraid if he gets wet it will run in his eyes and sting, but would prefer him to have the protection. Anyone know a product that works well?

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M.T.

answers from Rochester on

I also love the California baby brand- works very well and does not get absorbed into the skin as it contains titanium and zinc oxide.

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G.G.

answers from Minneapolis on

The baby sunscreen from Arbonne is great. I also like the zinc oxide stick from California Baby. Good luck and have a great time!

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M.W.

answers from St. Cloud on

We always bought the sunscreen in the organic/natural section of the grocery store. I didn't want to be putting chemicals on our baby's skin so I spent a little more to get that instead. The one we purchased was in a green and yellow bottle. Can't remember the brand, but it worked well......

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C.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

Over the summer I had noticed that all the sunscreens we have at home said over 6 months of age. I asked our pediatritian and she not to put any on our son until he indeed turned 6 months. She said to keep him in the shade and if totally necessary get a sunscreen that was either zinc oxide or titanium oxide. From what I got was that the chemicals from the sunscreen absorb into their skin and into their organs.

I have three kids and no that no matter what you do they are going to get in the sun and you don't want them to burn. I went to the natural food store and they had a few brands. I think the one that the other woman was talking about is Earth's best. It is a little bottle and a little spendy. 14.99, but they are little that we didn't even go through a whole bottle. Have fun on vacation!

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T.O.

answers from Minneapolis on

California Baby sunscreen products offer great protection and they are made without the harmful chemicals that most "cosmetics" are. You pay a bit more, but it is worth it since your baby is so young. You do not want to end up with a bad reaction to some chemical from the sunscreen when you are on vacation or at all for that matter. You can get it at Target or online. Check out their products and ingredients online - just google California Baby.

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J.L.

answers from Milwaukee on

I loved Aveeno suncare for Kids when my little ones were little...Great smell, no sting!
Arbonne also makes a great kid-friendly suncare lotion. It is in their ABC line.
Have a great time!
J. L.

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E.I.

answers from Duluth on

there are many baby sunscreens out there.
but most of all, the best way to protect your baby from the sun is to put on light clothing that covers baby's skin, and keep an umbrella handy, or just stay out of the sun. DO NOT underestimate the power of reflection, just because you are under an umbrella doesnt mean you are safe. reflection from the sand or surface of the water can also burn skin (that includes yours!)

so just take caution. the baby safe sunscreens typically are drip proof, but i found my son would put his hands in his eyes anyway... so watch those hands as well.

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A.L.

answers from Iowa City on

I recently read that the American Academy of Pediatrics has now said that sunscreen use on babies less than 6 months is not harmful if used in small areas of baby’s skin such as the face and back of the hands. A natural, water resistant one may be your best bet. Looks like you've been given some good ideas; if you want to order a safe, nutrient-rich option online, let me know and I'll send you a link.
Have Fun!
A. Lamansky
____@____.com

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L.L.

answers from Omaha on

I've always been told my doctors NO SUNSCREEN UNDER 6 MONTHS OF AGE.

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L.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

I liked Aveeno and also Water Babies once my daughter got older. None of these will run into the eyes, but babies have a tendancy to rub their eyes either way so I used to apply the sunscreen lightly to the top of the hands and rub in really well I just make sure that I reapply there more frequently.

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K.C.

answers from Milwaukee on

per our dr. sunscreen is for babies 6 mo. or older but i used some on our son when he was 5 mo...he has super sensitive skin so our dr. recommended the bull frog, aveeno and nutrogena brands.

also, i found more info at the following website:
http://pediatrics.about.com/od/weeklyquestion/a/baby_suns...

good luck and have a great vacation!

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R.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

We liked Waterbabies....just make sure you get the tear free one.

And you can get those swim shirts and hats that are SPF rated as well.

Have fun on your vacation!

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A.F.

answers from St. Cloud on

Hi Jen!
I don't think sunscreen is recommended for kids your son's age. If you do need it I would recommend the California Baby brand. I have also heard that Arbonne has a great sunscreen for kids.

One sunscreen I do NOT, NOT, NOT recommend is the one from the Melaleuca Company. It is horrible. My son had severe burns even though we applied it 3 times in one hour and half that time he was in the shade. When we finally discovered that he had burned, the sunscreen wouldn't come off so he had the white zinc residue literally glued to his skin for 8 days. My son had never had a sunburn before or since using other sunscreens.

Above all, HAVE FUN! I think it's great when families travel and have fun with their kids!

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M.A.

answers from Minneapolis on

My sister in law was told by her pediatrician to use Avon's skin so soft sunscreen with bug guard! Works great... She hasn't had any issues.

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C.M.

answers from Bismarck on

We have really liked the sunblock sticks--they're a solid and are really great especially for the face--I don't think they run like liquid sunscreens do--just read the directions for how often to reapply.

You could also just try some good old zinc oxide (that makes white streaks like swimmers wear)--it protects awesome but don't know how easy it is to get OFF!

Have a great vacation in the sun!

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J.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

the best thing is what you're doing - covering most skin with SPF clothing. beyond that, i HIGHLY recommend using sunscreen by Vanicream. You can either ask your pharmacist to order it for you, or order it online (Amazon, etc.). It's a very neutral product line, recommended for VERY sensitive skin, contains no chemical sunscreens, only physical barriers, and has been the only one out of all the ones we've tried that doesn't irritate my 2 year old's skin.

You should probably also ask your doctor - even Vanicream says not to use on children under 6 months (but I don't think you'll find a sunscreen out there that doesn't say that).

As a last resort, I've put Desitin all over my kid's face when in the mountains and caught without sunscreen to reapply. It's primarily zinc oxide, which is the sun blocking material in good sunscreens, so it does work well, but you'll have to live with a clown-faced (white) baby!

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