to think it's probably better to expose the DC to sun in a controlled way than to smear them in chemicals and leave them out there all day?

[fartingfran]

We're a fair-skinned family and in this weather I'm really careful with the DC - hats on, long-sleeved tops, and only out for short periods and not between 12 and 2. I use sunblock at times but hate using it daily cos it's so sticky and chemically. Plus, I think it's better to build up a bit of natural tolerance (wouldn't go so far as the term "tan" but less whiteness!) to the sun. What do you all do?

FWIW, Cancer Research UK state that the reseach into chemicals was done on cell culture. Of course certain chemicals will absorb through cells in culture - but that doesn't mean they will absorb through the skin layers very easily.

www.sunsmart.org.uk/advice-and-prevention/sunscreens/are-sunscreens-safe/

In fact IIRC, studies on ointment absorption for exzema etc. showed quite inefficient absorption levels of the active ingredients so absorption of sunscreen chemicals is likely to be equally poor.

The thing is Salmon if you are sensible there is no need to smother dc in chemical creams. Who knows what research will uncover in years to come,I'd rather not risk it so I limit all creams.

My dc are 7 now and as I said they've never burnt once bar dd who burnt slightly with mil's chemical cream when I ran out of our own. That incident was my fault as I falsely thought I could relax(due to the chemical cream) and let her wear her swimsuit as opposed to her UV suit.

I think I'm far more sun savvy when using the other creams,UV clothes and floppy hats. I think clothes, hats in the midday sun,sensible exposure are far safer than any cream.I'd never sunbathe.

If I lived in Australia my approach may well be different.

I'm less worried about the chemicals in sun cream and more worried about the lack of vitamin D because osteoporosis is very painful.

MilaMae - I actually agree with you really:
I advocate common sense and if it's so sunny and hot outside that we have to be slabbering on tons of cream then it probably is time to get indoors for a break at regular periods. Sunstroke isn't a pleasant experience either.

As I said belgo - approx. 20 minutes UV exposure spread across the day is all you need. Cod liver oil is very good source of Vitamin D too .
My mum dosed us with that all winter and nowadays you can get it in capsule form.

yes salmonetta - but unfortunately many people don't even get that, we go from being at home, to being in the car, to being shut in at work/school. And we when do see sun, people go crazy for sunbathing and that's when the sun damage happens. Add to that the fashion for orange tans, and there is just no middle ground, very little common sense, leading to a raise in skin cancers and vitamin D deficiency.

DF and I went to see the air show at Fairford (Gloucestershire) last year. It was an overcast day, overcast enough to cancel some of the displays. However, we both managed to get sunburnt...

My DS has eczmea (sp?), so I'm unsure about using suncream. He hasn't been out in the sun much yet as he is 4 months old. I think I'll just try to keep him shaded.

But just because 'other people' don't get it, doesn't mean there aren't people out there who are being sensible but also avoid creams?

I certainly try not to use them too much on DD. We go in for long tops, hats and avoiding the worst sunlight if possible.

DD has eczema and so do I. The sunshine is great for it, the creams are awful.

DD has never been sunburnt, never even got more than a little colour, but certainly not enough to call a tan - okay, she's only 2, but my way of doing things can't be that rubbish.

I use the creams when necessary. But necessary does not slapping it on in the morning of every vaguely sunny day.

Salmotrutta milamae thanks for the advice we have got a parsaol but it still dosent provide 100 percent coverage- the sun has been partuculary brutal this spring.. i really worry about the summer coming!

i'm looking in to extra shade pram covers at moment though!

Do you mean that people dont get the opportunity for 20 min of sun exposure due to work etc. or do you mean that people don't "get it" as in understanding the problem belgo?
Sorry, if I'm being dense but how hard can it be to achieve 20 minutes of sun exposure on a sunny day? Hanging out washing before work/having morning coffee or a quick lunch outside/breaktime at school/outside PE/parking the car a bit further away and walking the rest/watering the plants/weeding in the evening/going for a short walk etc. etc.

I think my sister had an Australian one Babashade,it was black????They did get hot(and puce) in it though,I always worried about lack of moving air.

Mine were totally covered in the Nipper then when their legs grew I always made sure they had socks and a hat on.

It was the Shadeababe,loads on e-bay!!!!

I missed what pushchair you have vajazz but I used this sunsail and if we were walking into the sun I used clothes pegs to clip a muslin across the gap.

She doesn't like it now she is a toddler (because she can't see out) but that's true of all of them I think.

Found parasol's absolutely crap if you are walking around because you have to keep adjusting it every 2 minutes!

Interesting stuff, thanks :)

I don't confine them indoors by any means - it's just that if it's bright and there's been a long spell of outdoor play we'll stop and come inside for a drink and a rest. And a long-sleeved cotton t-shirt with cropped trousers and a peaked cap is cool enough but keeps most of the sun off. On very sunny days I'll put cream on the back of DS's neck and ears.

Must look into a UV suit for DD actually - any recommendations?

My children have got UV swim T-shirts from TK Maxx, I find those are enough with bikini bottoms for Belgium and the UK.

I just don't do the typical British thing of steaming out every inch of flesh blaring the second the sun materialises, I don't obsessively chase every ray of sunlight possible (the country collectively loses the plot for the few days of summer we have each year), I make sure I've got something on hand with sleeves to cover up with, and I try to stick to the shade anyway - I'm not skinny enough to look fresh and elegant in the sun, I bake, it's hot, it's uncomfortable - gimme the shade any day. I've also got a black dog - so if we're out and about enjoying the weather - it's walks through shaded woods, and alongside streams for the canine's sake.

Tend to think that's more sensible than relying on SPF 100 and sitting all day on the beach (which is my mother's approach to life).

Lil bro was actually treated using suntreatment by the hospital for his eczema at one point - it worked wonders but he found the treatment booth claustrophobic and panicked so much we didn't continue it.

We have as a nation a fucked up attitude to sun - from the suncream mania from January till November some have, to the "sun's out - whip out the baby oil to bake ourselves really red" attitude of others - there's no middle ground, no "put on some SPF (if you can - about the only ones I can deal with are those in facial moisturisers), take something out to cover up and if it's too hot and sunny go indoors for a bit."

Mumofaflump - my brother's eczema went nuts at most suncreams - P20 was the only one that worked for him, also worth asking the GP cos I think (memory may be hazy here cos it's a few years back) that he got it on prescription.

I get the Mini Boden long sleeved uv tops and long draw string surf shorts that match for the beach,fab. They're very cool ie they don't overheat,dry quickly and I've got 3 years out of them having sized up.My twin boys just live in them all day-hellish expensive but they really last. We got 3 years out of the first ones I bought and now they're just going to dsis's twin boys as good as new.

John Lewis and Boots do good all in one suits which we alternate with,slightly thicker and more expensive but you get what you pay for.I bought a Matalan one once and it was soooo thin I never trusted it.

Always,always size up size up.

What you are describing is the sort of sun safety lessons we had when I were a nipper. Slowly build up colour according to your skin tone, don't get too much sun at once, wear suncream and a hat if you can't avoid being exposed between the hours of 10 & 3. I was told by a skin cancer expert years ago (himself quite tanned) that the best defense against sun cancer was a bit of tan.

Something to keep in mind, there are different types of sun cream. Some are more physical blocks others are more "chemical". It's worth understanding what you've bought.

My DD is mixed race (black/white) so I guess she wouldn't burn all that easily. But I think it also means it takes her longer to get her Vit D from the sun. I usually try to meet in the middle. I let her have 30 mins or so playing around outdoors before putting sun screen on and a hat. I'm also a little lax and don't apply it as often as I would if she was fair skinned.

Only out there for short periods would mean:

no day long excursions

no walking holidays

no sailing trips

little travelling

no camping

very little swimming (certainly not the 2000 metre badges I did as a child- they took several hours)

no helping the adults with the house/boats/outdoor DIY, except for a few minutes at the time

What do children do if they have to stay indoors all summer?

I'm all for covering up and staying in the shade, and hate sunbathing, but the idea of spending the summer months indoors (doing what? watching the telly?) just makes my skin crawl.

Kids don't have to stay indoors though, you just make sure they get into shade when necessary and have hats and appropriate clothing.

No-one is saying they have to stay indoors - just that we need to be aware of UV exposure.

I'm assuming that lots of you who've replied to this have young-ish children.

Keeping my 11, 9 and 7 yrs old inside or in shade when it's nice outside is damn difficult/nigh on impossible - they are all very active and want to be in the garden or at the park playing football/cricket/tennis whatever.

They're also at ages where they won't necessarily wear what I ask/dictate so I would rather they get into the habit of slapping on a bit of Factor 30 when the forecast shows it might be sunny now.

I take a balanced approach to their diet and their sun exposure. I would far rather have something chemical on the outside of their skin than cause them lasting skin damage. My parents didn't put sunscreen on when I was younger, I burned as a child and now have to face the consequences of that.

weblette I am sorry you burned badly .

It is not about sending the kids out in blazing heat minus protection ,it is just using a different method to prevent *having to use chemical -y sunscreen .

Using factor 30 will give you a false sense of security ,your skin can damage under it unfortunately .

I understand it is difficult to keep them covered though ,believe me :)

Can you not use an organic sunscreen, such as the one by Green People for children , or Jason do a good one for kids.

I use Burts bees on my littlest one ,but mostly (with her) I try to just keep her in the shade .