I am looking for a good sunscreen for my 3.5 month old being that it is Spring time and there is a park across the street. Any recommendations?
Glad lots of other mamas referred you to the cosmetics database. We use BADGER and are very happy with it! Good luck!
I was told by the pediatrician that the reason the sunscreen bottles say, "Do not use on an infant under six months," is because an infant under six months should just plain not be in the sun. If it is necessary for the baby to be in the sun and not be completely covered, it is okay to use sunscreen. I believe chemical free sunscreens are best. These are the products that sit on top of the skin and tend to appear very white, and still slightly white even when rubbed in completely. Badger and Trukid get great ratings. Personally, I think California Baby is terribly greasy, but it gets a very good rating also. Here's the website I use that rates them for safety. Hope this helps!
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/browse.php?sunscreens=1&...
I didn't read all of the responses but my dr said to use Destine on my daughters nose and cheeks before 6 months. I like to walk a lot and didn't want her to get sunburned. I would ask your pedi for some suggestions.
Try Sun Shades. Its safe for your little babe!
We used sunscreen from Avon.
If you want to go chemical free, Badger is very good!
You're not supposed to use sunscreen in babies less than 6 months (as a general rule).
Usually, the recommendation is to use hats/clothing to protect their skin.
I'd ask your pediatrician to make sure the recommendations haven't changed. This is the link to what the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends on their parenting website:
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/...
Arbonne ABC (Arbonne Baby Care) sunscreen. It is AWESOME!!! SPF 30+ NOT greasy and smells good.
Banana Boat for babies is awful--greasy gross.
Whatever you use, just test a spot on her arm a day or so before you intend on going in the sun just to test her skin for reaction.
Arbonne Sunscreen is the best in my opinion....and a little bit goes a long way....
Wow I'm glad I read this :0 I didn't know you couldn't put sunscreen on til they are 6 months My little one is a winter baby so there's been no call to use it. As for a good sunscreen, I'd recommend Burts Bees. My sisters both use it with their babies and have loved it.
Sharing this because it might help some. Make sure you read up on ingredients and don't just go by peoples recommendations on brands. Some great brands have concerning ingredients. Not to say these ingredients are bad for all, but just do your research:
• Benzophenone (benzophenone-3), homosalate, and octy-methoxycinnamate (octinoxate): These chemicals are of more concern because they have shown estrogenic activity in lab tests. Dr. Margret Schlumpf of the University of Zurich's Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology says they have been shown to disrupt hormones, affecting the development of the brain (particularly the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal system) and reproductive organs in laboratory rats.
This being said, I do buy Blue Lizard and Neutrogena, but certain ones. Both of these lines have several products. Some with and some without the above ingredients. Blue Lizard Baby or Sensitive, I believe is without ingredients that are concerning to me. But that's just me. :)
You shouldn't use sunscreen before 6 months as everyone has said but after then, you can use sunscreens that are a physical blocker as opposed to a chemical one. Blue lizard is supposed to be a great one as is California Baby. Ask your pediatrican if you can use these on your 3.5 mo. old since they're not chemical and will not absorb into the skin. (they sit on the oustide of skin making your baby looks like a ghost but prtecting him/her from the sun without chemicals soaking into the skin).
I like the mom to mom brand spf 60+. It goes on thick and easy, Mom to mom is a good baby and earth friendly brand. Spf of 60 is just perfect for the little ones and should be replaced I think every 4-6 hours they are in full sunlight. My sammy loves the "sun cream" and helps to put it on. ( it is also economical!)
California Baby makes a great product that I have been using on my daughter since about the same age. It's all physical sunblock and no harsh chemicals. Plus, it smells really good and is very moisturizing.
Melaleuca sunscreen is not for infants. My son was burned severely (at age 4) even after applying SunShades twice in a 45 min. period. The zinc film was crusted to his skin for 8 days. I chucked it in the trash.
www.onestepahead.com has great sun hats and UV protective clothing. That's the best bet!
This website is AMAZING! you can find out how effective and how safe almost any sunscreen on the market is.
Sunscreen Summary — What Works and What's Safe
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens/summa...
http://www.ewg.org/cosmetics/report/sunscreen09/findyours...
With no mandatory, comprehensive sunscreen standards in place,
products vary widely in safety and effectiveness.
Also just get swimsuits that cover legs and arms.
There are two types of sunscreen, barrier and chemical. Barrier sunscreens use zinc oxide to create a physical barrier on the skin. Chemical sunscreen uses a mixture of chemically oriented ingredients. I own a company that makes organic skin care and the more I learn about body care products the more I believe you should just dress your baby in long sleeve clothes and a hat and take an umbrella to the park. If you go to the beach or are out all day, then use one from a company like California Baby or Blue Lizard. But use them sparingly. The other thing to remember is that a little sun is good for us. We need the vitamin D. Use your good mom common sense and learn as much as you can about the weird ingredients use in all products for babies and adults.
Last I heard Dana is right. Their skin will absorb too much stuff at this point. Check with your ped to make sure that is still the case. UV clothing is best (like a hat or a coverup for when you are outside) Regular clothing provides a very low spf, like only spf 4 or 8, I think.
Once baby can use sunscreen, I recommend California Baby. You can get it at Target and also at more natural type stores like Whole Foods. It has less chemicals. Here is a great website I use when trying to pick products for my son that are as harmless as possible:
I had the same problem when my son was young we lived on the beach and needed him protected. My pediatrician recommended Aveno baby said it was the safest she had found outside of using pure zinc
HI B.,
Melaleuca has a wonderful sunscreen that is great for infants. It is actually a patented micro-fine zinc oxide (it's clear) that is actually good for the skin. If you want some more information, let me know.
M.
My pediatrician told me not to use sunblock before atleast four months. If you use one before that I would recommend finding an all natural one at a health food store. That way it wont irritate her skin as much. Good luck and have fun at the park : ).
Hi B.,
We use Blue Lizard for our 4 year old, and have done so since she was an infant. Her allergist highly recommended this due to her sensitive skin and allergies. Have fun and enjoy the park!
