Suntan Lotion Recommendation for Infant

I prefer Sun Sunscreen from Alba Botanicals. It comes in Sport, Kids and Facial. I use any of them on myself and my children. A children's sunscreen doesn't have to specially made for children (it's more a marketing thing since there's really no difference between them and regular sunscreens). The Alba products offer broad-spectrum UVB and UVA protection (to get this look for a product with avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide). They are also PABA free and paraben free (PABA's often cause skin irritations and parabens are a chemical preservative that has estrogen-like effects and have literally been found in breast cancer tumors). The Alba products are also water resistant. They come in an SPF up to 32. I try to stay away from the sprays because they contain a lot of alcohol, which dries out my kids skin.

I highly recommend the California Baby SPF 30 sunscreen. We have to use all of their products exclusively because of my son's eczema. They use no dyes, PABA, or fragrance, and are hypoallergenic (and "green"). You can buy at Target.

I used California Baby brand on my daughter and will use it again on the next one (due next month!). You can get it online or at Target.

-K.

Hi Blair- I have a lot of information on this topic. I was diagnosed with skin cancer last year and researched for the entire summer looking for the best protection and things I can do to protect myself and my family. Please feel free to call me at ###-###-#### and I will be happy to share more than I can here. The first thing to know is that many sunscreens contain ingredients that are harmful to you when absorbed into your skin. The worst ingredient is called octynoxate and is in almost every one. Look for a mineral based sun screen containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. I use Sunshades by Melaleuca.All of their products are non toxic. Even the skin care center I go to recommends mineral sunscreen. Another good one is Blue Lizard for sensitive skin. It also does not contain octynoxate. Also, don't be fooled by claims of being waterproof or spf 50. Nothing is waterproof- if so, you would never get it off! Always reapply after being in the water. And many studies show that an spf of 50 is no more protective than an spf of 30 so don't spend more money there. The big key is moderation. Enjoy being outside in the morning and late afternoon and try your best to avoid mid-day sun. Even a little unprotected sun exposure in the morning is good for you. Get him some cute hats and maybe even the ones with the flaps. I have more I can share but I am a faster talker than typer so call me if you would like to hear more...
C.

Arbonne Baby Care Products are phenomenal! Go to www.arbonne.com. The product line is called "ABC." I've used it on my daughter since she was born and she has yet to be burned, even at the beach! Good luck!

Blue Lizard is the best. It was developed in Australia and as a result must adhere to their sunscreen standards which are much more strict than ours. It contains 10% Zinc Oxide and 5% Titanium Dioxide - more than any other sunscreen out there. Both are physical barriers to UVA/UVB rays, which means that they start blocking harmful rays immediately. It's still a good idea to apply 20 minutes before you head out in the sun, but if you forget, no need to worry, because it works immediately. It is also the most water resistant out there - an average of 240 minutes as opposed to the average of 80 minutes for every other sunscreen - but still reapply after being in the water, no matter how long its been. It's fragrance free, hypo-allergenic and non-greasy. You can find it at CVS or online at www.coolibar.com or www.drugstore.com It comes in a baby formula, but the sensitive has the very same ingredients so either works great. Ever since I've been applying sunscreen to my daughter, I've always made it sound like a fun thing to do. She's 27 months old now and loves to put on sunscreen lotion.

We used Coppertone Sport spray last summer and loved it. I tried other sprays and they were oily and messy. My kids have fair skin and light colored hair. For my son who turns 2 this summer, I worried about his head burning since he had little hair and would not keep a hat on. This spray allowed me to cover his face and spray his head. I would spray some in my hand and rub it on his face or use WaterBabies stick to sunscreen his face. The spray and stick made it fast and easy - he would stand still only so long!
Good luck

I've always used the Walmart No-Ad brand but with high SPF for my son. He's never had a burn yet. I also make sure to get him the beach shirts and a hat. I figure the less of him that's exposed, the less likely he is to get a burn. I would also recommend the sunscreen from Whole Foods...sorry I don't remember the brand name, but it has high SPF, too, and not too many chemicals.

The waterbabies spray is great for the neck down.
When dealing with the face be sure to avoid the eye area as much as possible. My son rubbed his eyes after having lotion put on and his eyes teared for hours and he was miserable.

Hi B.~
There are a variety of sunscreen choices at Babies-R-Us that would be appropriate for your son. I've used the Aveeno brand since my son was a few months old. We didn't have any problems with reactions. If you haven't used anything sunscreen on him before just try a little on a patch of his skin to make sure he doesn't react. He'll probably be ok if he doesn't react to his bath products at home. Don't forget to put lotion on his feet and hands, neck and ears, as well as his face. Also don't forget a hat!

anything by BullFrog. It works and it stays on forever in the water.

I like Aveeno for Babies

I agree with some of the other moms who said Banana Boat (spf 50) but I have to warn against using the "tear free" aerosol can "easy spray" version that they have out on the market. It is NOT tear free and my little one rubbed his eyes one afternoon last year and was miserable for hours. My neighbor had the same problem as well.

I like the Waterbabies spf 50 and I get a stick form to apply to their faces. Don't forget to put it on 1/2 hour before going out in the sun to get maximum protection ---and reapply it often. I also make sure to put sun hats on my kids to help protect their faces and ears even more.

My youngest has very sensitive skin and I used Aveeno last summer. It worked great and didn't bother his skin.

Check whatever brand you are considering here http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
to determine how safe it is for your baby. I read about this website in an article from the March/April 2006 issue of Mothering Magazine. So many products contain carcinogens and other hazards--much more so than I realized--and babies and children are especially susceptible to these hazards because their cells are rapidly reproducing.
So far, I have chosen California Baby products because all of them seem to score a 0 or 1 rating on the hazard scale.
Good luck!
Oh, I also heard that any SPF of 30 or above are really equivalent, and the higher numbers are more for marketing than anything else. A friend mentioned that, so I can't state a source for you to look at for further info.
Good luck!

hi, B.. i like to used panama jack baby block with the spf 50. i tried it a few years ago for the first time and we used it while at a softball tournament. we were at the ball field for a total of 9 hrs and not one of my 3 kids nor my husband or i gat burned. i have used it ever since. oddly enough i found th panama jack at the family bollar store but you should be able to get it any where sun blocks and lotions are sold.

I love Banana Boat baby. It comes in a pink tube, and it it very affordable!

I have used Baby Faces Suntan lotion. It's in a pink spray bottle. Also, Coppertone for babies is a good one. Spray on also.

I prefer the Banana Boat for Baby. I have an almost 3 year old and she still manages to get some of the sunscreen in her eyes sometimes. Most, if not all, of the baby ones say Tear Free, but they still irritate my daughters eyes. Banana Boat is the only one I've found that actually doesn't bother her. I don't know if it absorbs faster than other brands or isn't as thick or what, but it does the trick for us. They also make a spray version that makes it easy to apply. Good luck.

I recommend Arbonne's Sunscreen for babies. It is so gentle and contains no mineral oil. Our whole family uses it!

I am an Arbonne consultant, and can help you buy it at a 35% wholesale discount.

I have always used Nature's Gatre and loved it.

We've used Water Babies mostly, and it seems to work well. We've also got some Huggies lotion and some sort of baby Banana Boat spray, which is easy to apply. We haven't had any problems with sunscreen so far.

Just go to Walmart or someplace like WalGreens or CVS and get the highest number of UV protectant you can find. You need the highest and there is even one for infants. I would go that route. Enjoy your trip!

I love Arbonne's Baby Sunscreen Spf 30. It is waterproof and very gentle on my baby's skin. It has essential oils in it, which give it a nice gentle natural fragrance, and they use all natural ingredients. Arbonne is not sold in stores. Go to www.arbonne.com to find a consultant who lives near you. One bottle lasted us all of last summer.

My daughter will be 1 on May 12th as well! I have used Banana Boat baby sunscreen on her before, and it seems to work well, and did not cause any skin irritation.

I am not sure of brand names, but any of the highest spf is usually pretty good. The best thing is to make sure they don't spend too much time out in the hot sun until their body can handle it. Congrats on the upcoming birthday, I have two children born in May and it's the greatest month ---not too hot---not too cold. Have a great time in the sun this summer.

B.,
I have always used Banana Boat Baby for me and my kids (my son and I are both VERY fair). It has SPF 55 and the high SPF is what you are looking for, but do not use ANY sunscreen product over a year old. They denature and stop working, some denature quicker than others and the only way you know is the resultant sun burn. Fortunately I found that our on myself rather than either of my kids!
J.

i have banana boat baby formula. it's spf 50, papa free, braod spectrum to block uva and uvb, and has no scent so as not to irritate sensitive skin.

Aveeno Baby spf50 is great. My daughter has very sensitive skin and this is the only one that doesn't break her out.

Water Babies for a child that young with a SPF of 50 . It now comes in a spray that is great - no mess. Just make sure you cover his eyes before you begin to spray

Arbonne has an amazing baby line ABC and there is a sunscreen in there. I have my own homebased business with Arbonne and that's how I know. You can look at the products on my site and call me if you have any questions.

Angela Briggs
Area Manager
Arbonne International
www.abriggs.myarbonne.com

We always used Waterbabies when my boys were tiny!

Good Morning Blair
Welp anything more then an SPF30 and your just putting on more chemicals on your son and my kid sister who has sun sensative skin swears bye Ombrell . She Burns very easily and Ombrell is all she ever uses and it allows her to enjoy the out doors
C. 45 Northern Ontario Canada

Something with a high number for sure.Talk to other moms but also your local pharmacy they can help you..good luck..
S. B

I really like Coppertone Spectra for Babies. My daughter who was 1 last summer and I spent a lot of time out at the pool last summer and she never got even a little burn. In fact, she looked like she hadn't even been out in the sun. It works great! Smells great too.

I have used many different brands, all spf 50. The only one that my children have never burned with is NO AD. It can be found at Publix and in CVS

I have always used Coppertone, Waterbabies. I also like Arbonne products for children.