sunscreen for babies

[Princess]

My little one is almost 6 months and I'm really confused as to what sunscreen is safe to use on him. Having read so many articles, I know you aren't supposed to use anything until they're six months, but then, there's a whole load of conflicting advice as to which sunscreens (even the organic and natural ones) are safe to use and from what age!

We asked the Health Visitor yesterday and to be honest she was as clueless as I was. If anyone can point me towards something that is safe to use on small babies, I would appreciate it.

Px

[Pickle]

We've always just used the Nivea baby stuff (available pretty much everywhere) on both of ours from an early age. My approach is that if you read too much you wouldn't use anything and would end up having to stay indoors when it's beautiful outside.

[EDmummy]

As well as find a suitable sunblock I think the general advice for a baby of this age is to just keep them out of direct sunlight. A sun protector for the buggy, a hat and light long sleeve clothing would be your best bet. It is much easier to keep them out of the sun at this age as they are not yet mobile. Once they are on the move it does get a little more difficult.

[apenn]

Of course I aim to keep my 10 month old out of the sun as much as possible, but am also using some sunscreen I bought at Health Matters. They carry two brands that are suitable for babies.

-A

[Pickle]

Agree it's much easier when they're small and immobile. The picnic area at Peckham Rye is great, lots of big shady trees and still the odd patch of sun for Mummy to position herself in :)

[Princess]

Currently sat under a shady tree in the park as I type!! We do obviously cover up and stay out of the sun as much as possible but we often find ourselves cheering daddy on at triathlons etc where shade is pretty non existent. I have some Ambre Solaire kids stuff I might just try this weekend. I agree you can read too much!!!

[nunheadmum]

You can read too much and pay too much - picked up 2 tubes of kids sun screen at Health Matters the other week and almost keeled over when I went to pay. I bought them in the end but I'm still asking myself if it really is any better than your standard ambre solaire / nivea etc. I'm trying to tell myself it is so I feel better but having survived years of the basic ones myself as a kid, I suspect it probably isn't that justified.

[Pickle]

Couldn't agree more Nunheadmum. As a kid growing up in NZ we just got smothered in whatever suncream was at hand, Mum was surprised when I was there a couple of months ago to see that there were specific "kiddy" suncreams - apparently that wasn't the case when I was small. Mum talks fondly of the "turnover time" jingle that was played on the radio every 15 minutes to ensure your tan was even ;-)

I've just ordered some new cream for the kids from Avon, a lot cheaper than even the Nivea products, but with the same SPF.

[Keef]

We took our daughter to a very hot Venezuela at 9 months, and jus used Boots Soltan Baby, which was fine, and did the job. As has been said though, best thing is to try and keep them out of the sun. One of those little sun tent things is a good idea.

[Princess]

Thanks Keef. Now I think about it you can buy a little bit of fabric for our travel cot that converts it into a sunshade tent thing. I've ordered one which will hopefully be here in time for this weekend. That, combined with a bit of Ambre Solaire, a hat, sunglasses, long sleeve thin top, comfy linen pants, sun cover for the buggy and we should be fully protected. I hope he doesn't get rickets from the lack of sunshine now!

[The Nappy Lady]

Agree about suncreams.....BUT my eldest comes up in a rash if I use cheaper highstreet brands (even kiddy ones), but is fine with the Health Matters or Sun Sense brands - the latter I can actually get for her on prescription but I use so much I tend to buy myself as seems wrong to keep getting endless amounts that way.

Interesting to note that something in the main brands really does upset her skin, be it parabens or something else.

M

[nunheadmum]

Same here Molly - my youngest reacted last year and seems to have a constant rash from excema so playing it safe. But I know I react to some normal brands while I don't with others so I probably could find a cheaper option for her too. But can't help playing it safe when she's still little.

Interesting to hear that you can get some on the NHS. May have to try that option if it's a good summer as keeping up (particularly with nursery usage) at the prime prices will bleed me dry!

[nicolemodesti]

Ditto with nappy lady...we used Nivea Kids last summer, when away in Menorca, and our boy was 12 months. He reacted quite badly and suffered with a rash all over. Before that we had used the sun cream that they sell at Jojomamanbebe (can't remember the name as it is in his nursery bag). We also use Proderm Technology, which is a sun mousse for kids, 30SPF and he loves to apply it at 21 months with the frothy foam.