Concerned That Daycare Ladies Are Not Putting Enough Sunscreen on Toddler

Updated on August 26, 2010
S.S. asks from Los Angeles, CA
16 answers

The daycare that my toddler attends has two outside times -- one in the morning and one in the afternoon -- both for 30 min long so a total of an hr/day in the sun. They told me that they always put on sunscreen before each outing but with each passing day, my son is getting progressively darker on his arms and legs where they're exposed (esp. the arms). He's not getting burnt so I know they're putting on sunscreen but I'm wondering if they're not putting on enough. Before I bring it up with them, I just wnated to ask you mamas first whether a child would tan rather well (he has gone from being super fair to being pretty dark) with a sufficient amount of sunscreen on if they were going out daily for an hr a day. My husband says yes but I thought sunscreen keeps you from tanning for at least an hr! Please give me your input and/or experiences. Thank you!!

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G.B.

answers from Tulsa on

In Oklahoma we are not allowed to put sunscreen or lotion on a child without a Doctors note. Too many children were having skin rashes and reactions to general sunscreens and lotions provided by the facility. Even if parents supply it we still have to have a note from Doc saying it's okay.

You are lucky they are doing any at all, if they are not putting as much on as you would like then keep reminding them to put more on him. Skin cancer must be a horrible thing to experience and it can happen even at this young time in their life.

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J.T.

answers from New York on

What level of sunscreen? If they put on level 50 or so then for two 30 minute play times a day he should not be getting tan.

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L.W.

answers from Cincinnati on

what kind of sunscreen are they using??? you need at LEAST 50spf. If i were you, I would put the sunscreen on before you bring him to school. if you know they are going to be outside, put it on in the morning. It cant hurt.

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M.H.

answers from Dallas on

Yes you can still tan even if you have sunscreen on.

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B.B.

answers from Portland on

a tan is the body's way of protecting itself - the melanocytes create melanin which cause the skin to darken which prevents the deeper layers of the skin from burning. I use spf 50 on my son daily and he is very tan.

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M.W.

answers from St. Cloud on

I suggest that YOU put it on him before taking him to daycare if your worried about it.

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M.V.

answers from Houston on

You have to use the correct sunscreen or your child will tan even with the sunscreen.
http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/
Some sunscreen can actually increase the odds of skin cancer!
We use Jason's Sunbrella Physical Sunblock and Badger

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D.P.

answers from Raleigh on

The only way you will keep him from tanning is keep him covered up completely, or not to go outside at all. Sunscreen only prevents burning, not tanning. I am fair and tan easily, even with SPF 50 on. The tan will fade over the winter months.

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

I would put sunscreen on him before you drop him off in the morning and if they put more on, it won't hurt anything.
Sunscreen doesn't keep you from tanning.
My son is blonde and fair skinned, but you'd be surprised how dark he gets in the summer and I always put sunscreen on him.
With your son outside for an hour a day in the summer, the only way to keep him from tanning on his arms and legs would be to have long sleeves and pants on him.

If he's not burnt at all, I would say it's a safe bet they are keeping sunscreen on him.

Best wishes!

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J.L.

answers from San Diego on

Hi S S I am a daycare provider, and I put #50 for kids, and yes they do tan with it. If your child is not getting burned then it sounds like they are doing their job. Some sunscreens do allow tanning, if they were not applying enough sunscreen your son would be more burned than tanned. The sunscreen that i use for me is #50 for adults, and it allows my arms and shoulders tan, without burning. I don't allow my daycare kids to go out in the heat of the day, I wait till afternoon when it starts cooling and I have a nice shaded backyard. J.

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E.R.

answers from Chicago on

Your son will still get tanned if he is outside at all, even with sunscreen. Even very fair haired, pale skinned kids get darker in the summer, unless you keep him out of the sun completely (which is also bad and can lead to vitamin D deficiency) or cover him up with long sleeves, which seems cruel in the heat.

I think you should not worry about this- your child will get tan even with sunscreen :)

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K.S.

answers from Kansas City on

If your son's not burnt, then I don't understand what the problem is? Tanning skin IS the bodies natural sun block. Did you know, that there are now studies showing that some of the ingredients in sunscreen are actually causing cancer?

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

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M.R.

answers from Columbus on

Put it on him before you take him to school.

M.

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J.P.

answers from Boise on

My son is very fair and his arms are now tan from outside time. I know that they are putting sunscreen on because I smell it when I pick him up, but his calves always seem red. I'm really not sure why. We did switch from a spray sunscreen which is easier for the daycare to a cream that works better for him. Maybe look at your sunscreen, but as long as he isn't burning, I think it is okay. Increase the SPF and get better quality sunscreen, and apply it in the morning if you are concerned.

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H.W.

answers from Portland on

Tanning vs burning also has to do with skin pigmentation and melanin. Put sunscreen on both me and my sis-- After 2 hours, I'll start to burn, she'll tan, because she's half Filipina and I'm not. (Different dads.) If you aren't seeing sunburns, I'd say that this it's likely they are keeping him well-screened and that your son just has an advantage of more melanin, which is protecting him from getting burns.

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