Which Sunscreen Is Best for Infants

Check w/ Dr first.
I'd work on covering up before applying sunscreen. Wide brimmed hat w/tie so she can't take it off. If you wear one too, she'll eventually keep it on. Rash guard over the swimsuit or buy one of the bodysuit ones. and take or buy an umbrella. Stay off the beach from 10 - 3 when the sun's the strongest.
check out the report on sunscreens at ewg.org. they did a report last summer and rate them on safety and effectiveness.
Stick w/zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for sunblock. They are physical sunblocks meaning they sit on the top of the skin and actually block the UVA/UVB. they also have a long history of use and are known to be relatively safe. Think of the white nosed lifeguard in the 60's and 70's - that was zinc oxide. Walgreens has a zinc oxide blend that's good. so does neutrogena.
Most of the cheaper sunscreens are chemical sunscreens. this means they actually react w/your skin to provide the protection - that's why the bottles say to put them on 30 minutes prior to exposure. These chemicals do not have near as long a history and their safety is not really known. Our daughter reacts to avobenzene - one of the most common chemical sunblocks.

Try any of the brands that are made for kids, no tearing and have a SPF of 35 or more. The SPF factor is really stating that is how often you have to reapply it (something I found out last summer). Also get water proofed you are going in the water. The spray on kids ones I like best as they cover the most area. Make sure not to put them around the mouth or on the hands if your baby puts hands in the mouth though.
Most of them are safe and just look for ones that are for kids.

I would check with your pediatrician. I was told not to use sun screen until after 6 months. Of course, yours is almost there. But I would check with the Dr. to feel at ease of what to use. Keeping your child covered as much as possible is another suggestion.

We like California Baby. Simple, Natural.

http://www.californiababy.com/no-fragrance-spf-18-sunscre...

Contains organic and sustainably grown ingredients

No Octyl Methoxycinnamate or other chemical sunscreens
No fragrance or scent masking agents
UVA/UVB broad-spectrum protection
PABA free
Water resistant
Non-chemical sunscreen
Sheer finish
Non-invasive formula, hypoallergenic
Non-staining

Convenient pump locks in the ‘up’ position eliminating accidents on the road or in the diaper bag

We asked a pediatric dermatologist, and she encouraged us to use Neutrogena for Sensitive Skin. It's not waterproof, but there is a Neutrogena Ultra Dry with Helioplex that is waterproof and sweatproof and is SPF 50 or 70. We have the 70 for our daughter for this summer. There is no odor, no perfumes, and it goes on smooth and is not bluish in color nor does it take a long time to soak in. It's our favorite. It may be a few more bucks, but it's worth it to us.

Check with your pediatrician about ages for sunscreen. I would just keep baby in shade as much as possible, lots of big hats, and then bathe as soon as you're out of the sun to get the sunscreen off the skin.

There are also great UV swim suits for kids that are almost a shirt and bottoms - some cover the whole body, and they have a matching hat. Helps to protect if you can't use sunscreen - check the One Step Ahead catalog, although I think you can get them now at Target as well.

Both my husband and I are extremely fair skinned and so is our daughter. I also have sensitive skin, which I passed on to her.

Because of that, the pediatrician basically told us to avoid WaterBabies or anything else made by Banana Boat or generic sunscreens comparable to Banana Boat.

He said they would give her a very bad rash. He did recommend Aveeno Baby. Its SPF 45 and is water resistant, not water proof, so you will need to reapply if your baby sweats or spends any time in the water.

Check with your doctor since most say not to use on a child under 6 months, but we like the No-Ad brand. It's cheap and works well. Sometimes you can even get a free stick for applying to the face, but if not, they're pretty cheap, too. Our whole family uses the baby variety due to sensitive skin.

Hawaiian Tropic makes a great one called Baby faces tender places and has an SPF of 60!! It's pediatrician tested and waterproof up to four hours. I use it on my daughter who is fair skinned and it works great. I love it because it's the highest SPF I could find and it keeps my little girl from burning. It's also not really greasy so your hands aren't all goopy after applying it. I'm sure you can find it at walmart or a store like it:) Also make sure to cover your baby with light clothing and a hat; less skin showing less chance of burning:) (It says you can use on children less than 6 months with recommendation from a pediatrician!!)