Bug Repellent & Sun Screen

You should avoid sunscreen for children under 6 months. I used uv protective clothing for the times we had to be in the sun. I used a great company www.konfidence-usa.com
they had a great sunsuit (it was 6 months, but I used it on my son at 4 months, it was just a bit big, it covered more skin) and they had a great sun hat that covered the ears and back of neck. He never got hot, the fabric is breathable and I used it all summer. Much safer than all the chemicals in products.

There are repellents and sun screens out there for infants. Avon has repellents that are safe for infants and they have suncreen right in them.

Avon's skin so soft now has bug repellent/sunscreen together in a spray. I would think it would be fine to use that.

I do not consider most commercial bug repellents safe for any one, especially not children. There are some now that are more natural, made from citronellas, those are better, but I think the best alternative to bug repellent is to keep your child and bugs physically separated by long sleeves, hats and portable screens or nets. Also, bring them out when there is less bugs to bite them, during sunny times and afternoons are usually good for this.

For sun- use sun hats and sun shades, although a little sun, will be good for him... you will want to avoid sun burns.

I would consult your pediatrician with the sunscreen. I think that we used it on our little boy at 6-months, just not on his face or hands, since he rubbed his eyes and put his hands in his mouth. As far as bug repellent, I would suggest a product called "Skin-so-Soft" by Avon. It is not a bug repellent, but works wonderfully and does not contain the chemicals and has a nice scent. I use it to this day on my children and they are 7 and 10. Hope this helps!

C.:
I would visit a Chiropractic clinic and get their recommendation on natural sun block and alternatives for bug repelants. They focus on avoiding the poisons that are in most of the general brands and can point you in the right direction. You can also visit a homeopath or natural foods store, but beware, as even some natural foods stores don't care brands that are all that natural.

For bug repellent I used Skin So Soft by Avon, that worked well. I belive that babies need to be at least 6 months to use sun screen. The have all sorts of nets to cover strollers and car seats that would take care of bugs and sun. I got mine at Babies R Us. One Step Ahead also sells a little tent that you could put baby in to take care of both sun and bugs.

I just purchased sun screen for my kids and they say 6 month on the back.

Don't know about bug spray...

Hi C.-
Most times they don't recommend sun screen for kids under 6 mo.
We have one that is natural but it's not waterproof.
It's non- greasy, spf 15, great orange smell.
If you want to know more about it- email me and I'll send you to a place you can read all about it.
B. J
about me- med. prof, wellness coach, wife, 47yo and mom of 7 you twin girls
____@____.com

Hi C.,

I sell Avon and our insect repellent and sunscreen is combined in a lotion that is safe for children 6 mo. and older. The container states that for use on children under 6 mo. you should ask a Dr.

Avon carries a lotion that is a disappearing blue color so you can tell where you have applied it.

I have my own web site so if you don't have an avon Representative, you may order from my website at
youravon.com/sbradley

This would be a direct order from Avon and you pay by credit card and you may have to pay a $3 shipping fee unless I can find a free shipping code for you to use.

you may contact me from my web site as well if you have any more questions.

For sunscreen you have to wait until he is 6 months. As for bug repellent, I would keep it off of his skin as long as possible. Use a non-toxic version like Buzz Away http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=93943&...
...those chemicals are so strong.

I use a bug repellant by Jason called Quit Buggin Me. I just saw that Valley Natural in Apple Valley carries it. Geranium Oil is the active ingrediant so it should be safe.
Do you have a mosquito net to cover the stroller? Works like a charm!
As far as sunscreen goes, I agree with the poster who said to keep them in the shade until about a year. That's absolutely the safest way to go!

Most of the time they recommend that you consult your DR on it. I know for our 9 month old our DR said to use an SPF of at least 45 - 50 & a bug repellent of 20% (no more, no less). I would call your DR office though & confirm what they recommend for your 4 month old. I used sunscreen when my son was 5 1/2 months & it was OK with the Dr, but you always want to be sure right?!

At least as far as sun screen, my philosophy is that I will use it on my kids as long as the chemicals in it are not more damaging than the sun's rays. In other words, get yourself to a food-coop or a health food store and browse through their collection of sun screens rather than finding yours at Wal-Mart (unless your Wal-Mart sells Jason brand).

For bug spray, I wonder if Skin-so-soft by Avon is safe for babes that age? I would think so but I'm sure you can call the company for a list of ingredients just in case. OFF brand bug repellent is terrible. We only use it deep in the forest, only where we have to and where mosquitoes swarm this time of year. Of course we end our day with a bath/shower so we can wash the stuff off!

Look on the back of the bottles. Most sunscreens say 6 months to a year and most bug repellants say one year. I just sprayed the outside of the stroller that my son would sit in when outside to keep the bugs away.

Another option for bug repellant besides the Avon Skin so soft would be one of the bracelets you can buy, but you can put it on the ankle instead of the wrist for the baby to keep bugs away and not have it get chewed on. Check for DEET free ones or a baby specialty or sporting goods store they would know toxicity. This works great for any age of kids who forget about the spray and touch their arm and then their eyes, etc.

My pediatrician told me 6 mo. is ok for both. Don't know about earlier.

When you put anything on your skin - cream, lotion, etc - 60% is absorbed into the body/blood (that's why smoker patches and birth control patches work.) The FDA recommends nothing to be put on the baby's skin until 6 months - there skin is just too permeable.

L. L
http://www.goodhealtheveryday.com

For a natural bug repellent I would highly recommend www.soapourri.com. Their Skeeter Beater is all natural, no chemicals.
No sun for the wee one. Their skin is way too delicate yet.

I really don't know about the sun screen...I usually just kept my baby our of the sun as much as possible....as for the bug repellent...I used Skin-So-Soft by Avon...it works great. I have sensitive skin myself...yet have no problem wearing Skin-So-Soft...it comes in several different forms...but I usually used the oil.

Avon has awesome bug and sunscreen all in one. I use it on my daughter and she is 5 months. I sell avon and you can see my website at www.youravon.com/cdietrick. I can even send you a code for free shipping if you would like.

Funny, I just got this email about natural sunscreen and bug repellant - so I'll pass it on! I'm not plugging it, just passing it on! http://products.mercola.com/summer-survival-kit/?source=nl

I have always been told that sunscreen should not be used until infants are 6 months old. Until then, sun umbrellas, stroller covers, wide-brim hats, light clothing that covers the body are the best alternatives. We had our little one at the end of last summer and spent lots of great time outdoors, just avoided peak times (10am-2pm) and kept her shaded.

go to mercola.com and type sunscreen in the search box.

Babies should always be in the shade anyway because the sun can also damage their new little eyes. Shade for the first year - go to the beach on cloudy days or in the morning/evening.

Bug repellent is poison. If you seek out all-natural bug spray/cream (and there are literally hundreds of brands) you can use it at any time. Why would you spray poison on your kids? Avoid DEET - it is a toxic chemical that causes cancer.

I used baby sunscreen on my daughter when she was probably 5-6 months. As far a bug repellent, try using a dryer sheet. The bugs don't like it. Also I just heard listering in a squirt bottle will keep the mosquitos away and it's not toxic (we use it in our mouths!) Hope this helps.

I've never heard that about sunscreen. Good to know...
Avon's Skin So Soft works really well as a bug repellent and shouldn't harm your baby in any way.

I'd double check with your dr. but my pediatrician said it is okay to use a small amount of sunscreen on my 3 month old. Basically cover her up with clothes and use sunscreen on the few remaining areas - back of hands, nose and cheeks.