Sunscreen and Bug Spray?? HELP

Hi M. K,

Neither one is safe for babies under 6mos is what I've read. My doctor even informed me that Avon's Skin So Soft contains 7% Deet, so that's unfortunately out, too. There are several brands of clothing that have UV protection. I'm sorry that I don't know of any particular brands off hand--at least it's a start.

Take care,
J. M.

1 mom found this helpful

Hello M. K.

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For bugs try Avon Skin-so-Soft bath oil. Avon does not contain any DEET!
For sun try coppertone for babies. I have used the Coppertone for babies on my granddaughter and it works. It comes in a foam.

Lightweight long sleeved clothes, and a uv/bugscreen shade for your stroller. You won't find a "chemical free" sunscreen or bug-repellent. That's like trying to find water-free juice. It is the chemicals that make them work, even in natural products based formulas. We cheated and used sunscreen early, but avoided parts she tended to put in her mouth. we have a family full of fair skinned sunburn prone people, of which she is included. I like the Aveeno baby sunscreen, and the Off Family care unscented bug repellent (it has DEET, but if you are going to be outside with ticks, large mosquito populations, etc, you really do need it to be effective).

FYI - another poster said Skin-so-soft has DEET. That is only half-true. Original Skin-So-Soft does NOT have DEET, but it also doesn't really work (especially against ticks, etc). Skin-so-soft Bug guard does have DEET. It is a traditional insect repellent.

I was looking for the same thing yesterday in Jewel and found a pink bottle of sunblock just for babies that was 50spf and it was... $8.99 or something. Don't know if it's organic but it said specifically it's for babies and it can be found at any jewel.

for organic stuff I'd go to whole foods.

Cactus Juice, available online at http://www.cactusjuicetm.com/ is all natural and safe bug repellent and sunscreen. But, as a woman in her 50s who was taken to the beach every weekend as a baby, please let me caution you. It's early exposure to sun that causes skin cancers years later and I'm learning from personal experience. In the past five years I've had surgery every year to remove a new basal cell cancer- several on my face. So, please, please, keep her out of the sun or use completely protective UVA and UVB clothing.

I found this article about bug spray(from May 2006, so it may be a little out of date) Hopefully it helps you.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_test-your-health-iq-which-bug...

My baby is 10 months now but I am also worrying about what to use for bug spray. For sunscreen I would recommend coppertone. I know the best thing is to keep the babies out of the sun under 6 months of age, but sometimes that's just not possible. Good luck to you!

I am not too sure about the bug spray, but baby sunscreen should be ok. If the alternative to not using sunscreen is her getting sunburned, then I would use the sunscreen. I read that somewhere. My little princess just turned 5 months old yesterday and I have used sunscreen on her a couple of times, starting around 4 months. If she has sensitive skin, I would suggest using Aveno Baby sunscreen. You can always call your pediatrician and get advise. I bet he/she will give the ok for sunscreen.

I was at walgreens & saw a combo sun screen/bug spray that was deet free.

I used mosquito netting over my kids stroller and carriers to keep the bugs away. I also use dryer sheets that I pin on the netting with a safety pin. I use this myself when I am out mowing the lawn. It really works. I use snuggle dryer sheets but I suppose bounce of any others would work just a well. They is also clothing that is made to be UVA/UVB resistant to SPF 30 or so I believe and also always wear a light weight sun hat. My kids are 12 and 10 now but I believe One Step Ahead out of Lake Bluff, IL carried all these items...or at least they use to! I also used an umbrella over the baby carriers to create more shade. Good Luck!

i was just reading "helpful hints" online, and one was to put a dryer sheet in your pocket to keep mosquitos away! you could probably put one on the baby (between onesie and outfit), as well as yourself....see if that works!! i haven't tried yet...but it is a chemical free option to try! :)

ps - for clothing, "One Step Ahead" - has several outfits made with UV protectant in their clothing. You can find that online under One Step Ahead ...they do have a catalog that is great to sign up for too! But the swimsuits and clothes are great!!

I have been told by my pediatrician no sunscreen until they are 6 months old. However, I just read in Parents magazine that if you absolutely must have them out in the sun to try a little sunscreen on them inside and make sure they don't have any allergic reactions to it. As for the bug spray, I am really not sure. I would imagine it would be the same as the sunscreen. I know Avon makes a great bugspray. I hope this helps!

I have used herbal otdoor spray an organic product by Thera Neem for mosquitos. It's all natural and I found it at fritful yield health store.You may also find it on thier web site www.organixsouth.com or call 1-888-989-neem. I hope this helps. :). It works pretty well for my family of 6.

when i was in the same situation last summer i was told by my ped. that the sunscreen is better than the burn so if your going to be outside with a baby who is 4mos. old use the baby sunscreens. he said they are mild enough. we did without any problem. good luck have fun in the sun.

Hi M. K

I heard that Avon's Skin so Soft works great for mosquitoes. Also I work with a company that specializes in non toxic, naturally derived products that has fantastic sun screen. Hope that helps and enjoy your time at the lake.

I second the California Baby suggestion for sunscreen. We got ours at Target. Expensive, but worth it, so far. Light long sleeves and a hat are alternatives.
We also went to Whole Foods for the bug repellent. They were out of California Baby, so we go All Terrain Kids Herbal Armor (DEET free with SPF 15). It does say not to use on children under 6 mo. Can you just call your ped. to ask his/her opinion?

This is a hot topic and yes there are great botanical products that can be used by your baby and made especially for baby's skin. I am into health and wellness and use only the highest grade botanically based products made without mineral oil. Mineral oil is derived from petroleum and is very bad for your skin. Many products cannot be used on baby's skin because they have chemicals, dyes, fragrances, etc. that cause irritation and other things. Actually, it does this to many people's skin. I use some wonderful aromatherapy sprays that repel the misquitoes and create a wonderful scent, are safe and work!

I am posting to all who are interested in this line as it is by far the best that I have ever found and I do a lot of research on healthy products. I am happy to help you or anyone else on this post out with a complete line for your child and your entire family. It truly does make a difference of what you put on your skin - even lotions, shampoo, body washes, etc. All products are not the same, even if they claim botanical. The FDA does not regulate our personal care products so it truly is "Buyer Beware". Hope to hear from you and have a great and healthy summer.

K.

Try fabric softener sheets for the bugs. Rub it on her and clothes and then I also tie it onto the strap or belt loop. I'm not really sure it works, but it's better than nothing or DEET! I've not seen a bit on my kids, so if it's luck or the softners, I don't know! I still have a hard time finding a commercial bug spray that is safe for my 2-yr old. It's frustrating to not have anything "friendly" enough to use on kids! Let me know if you find any good alternatives! Good luck!

For bug spray I read that Listerine mouthwash is as effective as bug spray, but you spray it on the surfaces where you will be rather than on a person. But since it is only mouthwash maybe you could also put it on your daughter or at least spray her stroller, the boat, etc.
For sunscreen, my friend took her son to miami at 4 mos and the ped said that she could put sunscreen on him, but to still keep him out of the sun and to wash it off at the end of each day when you go inside. They generally don;t want babies skin exposed to sun and if they say sunscreen is okay there is concern people will think it is okay to have their baby sit in the sun and their skin is not ready for that.

Call your ped. and let his nurse find out for you. Netting can go over the walker or whatever you keep him in. Always have a hat on babys head. Their scalp is very thin and sun stroke is very easy to get on their little brains. Careful mommy, even the germs from flooding can get baby very ill. I'm a complete sun worshiper, always have been so this advice is coming from a good place.

We use California Baby products. They are an natural & organic based company. Follow this link for info on their ingredients: http://www.californiababy.com/ingredients-faq.html.

You can purchase them online at californiababy.com & other internet sites. They sell the full line at Whole Foods & some of the products at Target as well.

We use California Baby products for both that are available at Whole Foods and Target, although there does seem to be a run on both these days, so I was able to find some on-line. I think at babycenter.com. The are all organic, tear free, etc. The sunscreen works great and since he has no bug bites, I think the bug stuff works too!

For a bug repellent, try rubbing vanilla on her skin. We used this with our babies. There's the Avon Skin-So-Soft also, which is mostly mineral oil. I don't know about sun=screen, except using bonnets and umbrellas to create shade.

Just head to the health food store and ask there. There is a lot of choices on the market.