Recommendations for Bug Repellent Safe for Baby & Toddler

Avon's Skin So Soft lotions. They are mild and contain citronella. They have always worked for my family. My mom would use this lotion on us as kids in the deep woods of Canada, so it should work for Michigan. I have put SOS on my two year old since she was a baby without a problem, and she has very sensitive skin.

I bought one at Whole Foods that works pretty good. It smells a lot like citrus and is safe for babies. I also used it last summer when I was pregnant. I can't remember the name of it but I think it has a baby face in the middle of a sunflower on it.

Must repellants are the same. Make sure the clothes you bring are darker colors or at least not bright yellows or oranges. The bugs think they're landing on flower beds.

I've heard good things about the bug wristbands like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Bug-Band-Assorted-Repelling-Wristba...

Nothing to rub on the kids, they just wear the bracelet. They're safe to use as well. I recommend putting it on their ankle if you think they'll fiddle with it too much.

Burt's bees has one. I just tried it and it really worked. I bought mine through their web site.

Buzz Away Extreme is a very good natural repellent. You can get it most likely at Whole Foods or at J.D. Mills (Chicago Ave). The primariy active ingredient is citronella but it also has a few other oils the also repel both mosquitos and ticks. Safe for all ages as long as you aren't sensitive to any of the ingredients. Please try to avoid DEET because the chemicals are very strong and do get absorbed into your body and we don't really know what they do in the long-run (almost safety studies on synthethetic chemicals are only for short-term major problems and don't take into account what other chemicals you are exposed to at the same time).

M. T., M.D.

Avon SKIN SO SOFT Bug Guard Plus Picaridin is safe for the whole family. I use it and I'm pregnant! You can order it at http://www.beautyadvisor.us and enter code FSANY at checkout for free shipping!

We use this one and have had pretty good luck. It doesn't smell the best but seems to work.

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...

Hope you find one you like.

i have the same issue so i was wondering what others have said
have fun on your trip

I'm using Bug guard plus with picardin from Avon.
It works very well and has no deed, which I would never use on children.They have it in pump spray and lotion with an SPF 30.It's on sale right know for 6.99,half price and smells great !

We use Avon Skin So Soft. If you don't know anyone who sells it, you can easily purchase online from Avon or Ebay.

I second the Avon Skin SO Soft with Picaridin. I researched this ingredient for the EPA data sheet and found it has virtually no toxicity--it's been used widely in Europe and works as well as Deep Woods Off, but without DEET. I use largely natural products but the sprays I've used in the past had citronella and other oils, which smelled a lot and felt greasy. This one is much better, and I prefer the aerosol, although it also comes in a pump.

At Jewel I recently bought organic bug spray. It's called Eco-Smart and it's made from organic plant oils. We haven't had a chance to test it yet to see how good it works.

We got ours at Whole Foods, their brand. It is supposed to be "natural" and seems to be primarily citronella. We used it on our daughter last summer when she was 10-12 mos. old.
Have fun!

I love Saugatuck! I grew up nearby :) For bugs, I take vitamin B12 45 minutes before being exposed. For the kiddos, we use Skin So Soft bath oil. It's a little odd, but it does the trick! It's an Avon product, so you probably need to find someone who sells, it, but it's definitely worth not having to spray DEET on the little ones! Have fun!

We use All Terrain Herbal Armor Insect Repellant. It's DEET free and doesn't contain any lemon or eucalyptus oils. I got it at a local natural food store. Have fun in MI!

I recently did some reseach of this as well and the CDC recommends either products with DEET or Picaridin. They do note that "According to the label, oil of lemon eucalyptus products should NOT be used on CHILDREN UNDER 3 YEARS."
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/insect_repell...

Since I was unsure about using DEET, I opted for 20% Picaridin, which I found in a product called "Natrapel", which I found online and at an REI store. We used it recently on a trip and found it to be very effective, no bad smell and it was very light and non-greasy on your skin.

California Baby Bug Repellent. It's a little pricey cuz it's environmentally friendly and hypo-allergenic but it does work and doesn't bother my kid's skin. I've tried using Avon skinsosoft before and it NEVER works for me and leaves a strong smell. i've never used any other bug repellent on my kid so that's all i can compare california baby to. but i know that it works so i haven't needed to look elsewhere! you can purchase california baby products at babies r us, whole foods, online, and i think also at target and other "normal" stores but it might depend upon how big the particular store is if they carry lines of everything. i always get it at babies r us or whole foods. ciao!

I recommend Burt's Bees. It's all natural and non-toxic -- better for your kids and the environment! Have fun in Saugatuck -- it's such a beautiful place.

R.