CM CLUB: Sun Cream & Babies???? ADVICE please

[looneytune]

Hi everyone

I've had several babies to look after since I started childminding and I've never come across this before (parents always provided sun cream and I use)

I've just asked this baby's parents about sun cream as I know they signed but said they'd have to provide as want to make sure it's ok for her. I mentioned that I have no cream and want to be able to go out even when sunny (all said nicely of course) and parent came back to me saying not found a cream suitable for babies. So I looked at my different kids lotions and I can't see anywhere about NOT using on babies but then I noticed a little sign at the bottom with 12m printed. So I presuming this means not suitable for under 12 months old?

If so, any idea if there's a cream for babies? I do protect with sun brolly etc but I worry about sun getting to them without cream iyswim.

TIA

everywhere do sun cream for babies!..banana boat, johnsons, nivea to name a few!...better a sun cream for 12m plus than not at all IMHO!

Must agree with you there PC but any idea how I put it to them? A lot easier if I could find a cream especially for babies. I've always used cream on babies, never come across this before and it does worry me.

have a look on google for suncream for babies..i just did it thinking their may be a list but they are all listed seperatly..write them a list of suitable ones youve found and give it to them..i think theyd appreciate(or they should!) the effort you have gone too...and boots have loads on BOGOF at moment!

Hi looneytune
I used Boots for babies when dd was under 12 months. my HV told me to use what ever I could get my hands on rather than do without.I think that the 12m printed on the bottle is saying that the cream must be used within 12 months.
I agree with pinkchick better with than without. Good Luck.

As well as a list of products or web link, you could print out/get resources from Sun Smart. Make sure they know that you know sun screen is the final defence and that you find shade/use sun brolly etc and just want to take all the precautions you can.

How odd! Is it their first baby by any chance? Why would you not make an effort to FIND a cream for your baby to protect them? The ads on the TV atm are perfectly clear - over 50% of the sun burn that British people get is in the UK! I just can't believe a parent would be so precious about something like this.
Anyway, rant over - as you were!

Thanks everyone. Yes it's their first baby however dad has 2 older children so is more relaxed. I've spoken to her face to face this morning and explained that although I always put hats on, sun brolly up etc, I worry and therefore don't take baby out as the responsibility of 'god forbid' she got burnt is too much.

She said she's read something about not giving them cream for the first 18 months and agreed it was too long to wait and is therefore happy to use cream. She said she realised they have some Nivea Kids Factor 50+ at home and offered to drop it round later but I happen to have the same cream so she's happy for me to use it She agrees it's better to not get sunburnt, whatever she's read about not using it.

She's really lovely so I doubt it's a case of she hasn't been bothered to find one, think she just read about it and worried about cream full stop. Anyway, at least we can go out now

I'm still interested to hear why it's recommended not to use cream on babies If anyone comes across anything that says why, please let me know.

The 12M means that its only sutiable for 12 Months and dispose of after that!

looneytune, most suncreams actually say from 6m on them but I find banana boat baby has never had any ill effects and all my children have sensitive skin. It is readily available at boots, asda and even toys r us

pinkrangerstartstowaddle - thanks, I realise that now

Nemo2007 - thanks for that, will recommend! I must say, none of the kids creams I have here say another about waiting til 6 months, as I checked them all. Oh well, I'll let her know about the one you mentioned.

"She said she's read something about not giving them cream for the first 18 months and agreed it was too long to wait and is therefore happy to use cream"

Never heard of this - did she say where she read it? Has she discussed it with her Health Visitor?

No, don't think she remembers where she read it. I think I'd get her to speak to HV if she hadn't agreed to using cream but she's now thinking the same as me, would rather not risk getting burnt. She doesn't want it used on her face but that's ok as her hat shades it anyway.

Looney - You must remember that you can still get wind burn to the face.

The 12m symbol, as EHM and pinkrangerstartowaddle have said, is the P.O.A symbol which stands for 'period after opening' This symbol is on all perishable products by law and can be 6m, 18m, 24m etc.. depending on the product.

I only know coz I work in a make up factory, hardly anybody knows what it means though, which sort of defeats the object of having it on there!

lOONEY i have quiered this before with the companies direct and it is because the children in their thought should not be in direct sunlight. There are plenty of creams for babies and they are labelled as baby cream normally factor 50 or 50 plus. They are pulling your leg or they havent bothered to look.

I second that there is a normally a 6m, 12m or 18m symbol on there for being used by in this time.

PAH! I wish I had heeded my own advice - I think I'm little sore on one of my shoulders today!

If you read the small print on the back of some of the sun cream for children it does say not for use under the age of 18 months. I asked my friend who is a Dr and she says that they shouldn't have suncream under the age of 6 months because what they put in the cream is absorbed through the skin and maybe harmful for them.