Infant Insect Repellant?

Products:
• Teeny Towels Insect Repellent Wipes
(http://www.buzzillions.com/dz_478813_parents_invention_te...)

From About.com: Pediatrics

Insect Repellents with DEET for Kids

Another question parents often ask is 'when can I begin using insect repellents on my kids?

The AAP states that you can begin using insect repellents, even those with DEET, once your infant is 2 months old.

The concentration of DEET that you should use is not as clear. In most areas of their web site, the AAP states that you should use insect repellents with DEET concentrations of 10% or less. One article that appeared in Pediatric News does state that 'the Academy says a 30% concentration is safe for adults and children, but that 10% can be used for children if parents are concerned about the potential risks or if the threat of disease-carrying mosquitoes is small,' but I couldn't find anywhere else that they actually made that recommendation. There is an article, Prevention of Lyme Disease, which states that 'concentrations of DEET greater than 30% usually are not necessary', but it doesn't actually recommend using concentrations up to 30%.

Using Insect Repellents Safely

Here are some more tips on the safe use of insect repellents on your kids:
• Apply repellents only to exposed skin and/or clothing (as directed on the product label). • Do not use under clothing.
• Never use repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
• Do not apply to eyes and mouth, and apply sparingly around ears. When using sprays do not spray directly onto face; spray on hands first and then apply to face.
• Do not allow children to handle the products, and do not apply to children's hands. When using on children, apply to your own hands and then put it on the child.
• Do not spray in enclosed areas. Avoid breathing a repellent spray, and do not use it near food.
• Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing.
• Heavy application and saturation is generally unnecessary for effectiveness; if biting insects do not respond to a thin film of repellent, then apply a bit more.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water or bathe. This is particularly important when repellents are used repeatedly in a day or on consecutive days. • Also, wash treated clothing before wearing it again. If you suspect that you or your child are reacting to an insect repellent, discontinue use, wash treated skin, and then call your local poison control center. If/when you go to a doctor, take the repellent with you.

2 moms found this helpful

Avon has good bug guard/sunscreen spf 30 that is also water proof, and safe for children. Thats what I always used on my baby and still do now that hes 4. Theres even one that goes on blue then disappers. All items are deet free! www.youravon.com/chixon

1 mom found this helpful

Hi A.,

I am a new mommy too. My little boy is 8 1/2 months old and he loves to be outside. Noah has very fair & sensitive skin; I will have to be very careful what I put on him also. Fortunately, we haven't needed to use bug spreay yet, but I know with summer approaching we will need it soon.

I have heard that "DEET" can be harmful to babies. I googled "deet free bug repellent for babies" and came up with this:

http://www.gentlenaturals.com/products/bug_repellent.cfm

There are 2 links- you can either buy the repllent online or in stores. Granted I haven't used it yet. I did see that its main ingredients are soybean oil, cinnamon oil, lemongrass oil and geranium oil. As a bonus...there is a $2.00 rebate you can use with the repellent.

Good luck! If you decide to try it I would love to hear how it worked for y'all. :)

A.

1 mom found this helpful

There are some all natural insect repellants at Whole Foods and also a few choices at Babies R Us.

1 mom found this helpful

Try putting Listerene in a Spray bottle and spray away. you can spray the grass and other areas as well around you and it keeps the pests away.

AJ

1 mom found this helpful

Forget the expensive repellants. Every day before going outside take a dryer sheet and rub him down with it. I heard about that several years ago and it really works. I have to use it because of my allergies so I just take one and rub it all over. They will stay away.

1 mom found this helpful