Baby Hates Sunscreen

Updated on July 27, 2010
D.W. asks from Minneapolis, MN
10 answers

My 11-month-old HATES getting sunscreen put on her! She acts like I'm rubbing some horrible burning chemical on her, squirming and crying and making it all but impossible to actually get the lotion rubbed on. Her skin doesn't seem to be reacting in any way that I can see, but she doesn't act like this when I'm putting regular lotion on her after her bath, so I'm wondering if it does hurt her in some way. Does anyone have a really gentle brand they love?

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H.J.

answers from Minneapolis on

You can try other brands but I doubt it is that, my 5 year old and 3 yr old still do this...lol I don't really like it either

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N.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

I doubt it's the sunscreen at issue. I don't know why they do it, but most kids react that way to sunscreen being put on, though it seems like mine minds the spray less than the lotion.

I play this game with my son and if other kids are around it works for them too. You guys might roll your eyes at this and your daughter might be a little young for it, but I tell my two-year-old that I'm going to have a baby sandwich and first I have to put ketchup on the various parts of the sandwich. He thinks this is hilarious and his friends do too. Then I put sunscreen on, pretend salt and pepper everything and pretend to eat him. It's worked well for two summers now and I just ketchupped and salt and peppered one of my friends kids today to similar good results.

Worth a try maybe.

2 moms found this helpful
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P.M.

answers from Portland on

You could try other brands. It is possible your little girl is feeling discomfort.

I have extra-sensitive red-headed skin, and lots of cosmetic and lotion ingredients make my skin sting and/or itch. This may or may not be accompanied by redness or swelling/hives. I've tried at least a dozen brands of sunscreen, including those for sensitive skin, and finally gave up. They all sting. And they all feel horribly gunky on my skin, even if I endure the sting.

Have you considered getting her some of the new clothing and swimwear that has built-in sun protection? I simply never go out in the summer without long sleeves and a hat with a wide brim, because it's how I'm most comfortable while avoiding sunburn.

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C.D.

answers from St. Louis on

I've checked into sunscreens and I use Nutragena kid spray on my 27mo DD. I use it on myself too. It cost more that other brands but she says it tickles when I put it on and has never complaned.

P.W.

answers from Dallas on

I have very sensitive skin and most brands make me break out, but not the first day. Usually after 2 or 3 days I get a terrible rash that sort of looks like the German Measles. I never figured out the ingredient that did it to me. I spent a couple of vacations hiding under a towel afraid to use sunscreen.

Then I became a Shaklee Indep. Distrib and started trying all the products. Now i use this and don't seem to have problems. I also like that I can't feel it once it is on. I wear it on my arms almost daily.
http://healinghappens.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sk...

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J.S.

answers from Dallas on

We use Target Brand Kids Spray. But you might need to think about getting Aveeno Baby and see if that helps.

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T.A.

answers from Toledo on

Try a spray sunscreen and just cover her face with your hand when you spray it on her. And then apply a lotion sunscreen to her face. I have used many lotion sunscreens that kind of burn but haven't had any problems with the spray kind!

R.G.

answers from Dallas on

Mustela makes a good sunscreen for babies. Babies R Us sells it.

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R.R.

answers from Buffalo on

Aveeno makes a very good sun block for babies & children. My nephew is 2 and he absolutely HATES when my sister and BIL rub sunscreen on him. They actually now use Coppertone spray, and he doesn't complain or wiggle around at all when they are putting it on him. Good luck!!

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K.H.

answers from Washington DC on

All babies/kids do this. Mine are now 7 , 4 & 2 and they still complain about having it on their faces , keep putting it on her , she will have to learn to put up with it.

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