Toddler Sunscreen

For everyday use I also use Burt's Bee's sunscreen and the special suits. But at the beach I switch to the 50+ sprays. The oil ones (not the lotion ones) are at least paraban-free.

I honestly wouldn't worry about some color-- burn is what you want to prevent. We've gone way to far the other way about sun exposure now and we're seeing kids with rickets... which is unbelievable. Some sun is good for her, and she will be one of the lucky kids who has both healthy skin and enough vitamin D....

You're doing great, Mama!

L.,
I applaud your efforts. Good for you for trying to do what is best for your little girl. That said, try not to worry too much. It sounds like you're doing the right things. Over the course of the summer, your daughter will get some tan if she is outside a good part of the time. For me, that's okay. My kids spend lots of time outside in the summer, use sunscreen, but I can still see tan lines. No sunscreen I know of, organic or otherwise, will keep you from tanning completely. Don't be too hard on yourself. Your daughter will be fine with a little suntan.

Lousie,

Are you sure you are using enough sunscreen on her? In order to get the full SPF protection that is listed on the product, you have to use the same amount they used to test. Often this is at least an ounce or more. Plan to use AT LEAST enough to fill a shot glass.

S.

You're on the right track being so vigilant about sunscreen. I do believe I have read that even slight tan is, in fact, sun damage, albeit SLIGHT sun damage. This year at the beach I used 50 sunblock on my son religiously and he got a tan. No burning, which would be worse.
On the other hand, try not to stress about it TOO much. Much as we would like to sometimes, we can't protect our kids from everything al the time. I concentrate on taking indoor breaks during the hottest part of the day 10-2 and applying sunscreen as directed.

I agree with Erica, a little tan is perfectly fine. I am under the impression that is how we get our vitamin D and that is pretty important. I used 50 on my daughter this summer and she still got a little gold. I only worry when they burn. Have a fun rest of the summer :)

If anyone is in the sun all day they will get some color. As long as she is not getting sunburn a little color is not going to hurt her. Your doing everything right and it's great your worried about her skin. The best thing you can do is teach her to put lotion on for life.

Here is a link to an article about safe sunscreens.

http://www.thegoodhuman.com/2009/07/06/guide-to-finding-s...

and here is a ranking

http://www.ewg.org/cosmetics/report/sunscreen09/findyours...

I buy ours online since we use it every day..it gets expensive. (amazon, diapers.com, drugstore.com)

As you know, there are two types on Sunrays- UVA and UVB. We try to make sure our sunscreen that protects from both as most sunscreens just protect from UVB.

You don't want to avoid color on her completely. We do need to have a bit of a tan in order to be healthy--the body absorbs vitamins from the sun, so you don't want to block it out altogether. What you DO want to avoid is the burn. Good luck!

Dorothy is completely right. No sunscreen can block all of the sun. Only staying inside (and away from windows) can prevent all sun exposure, and that's no way to live. As long as you are vigilant with sunscreen and sun protective clothing, you are doing a great job.