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Children's health

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Original poster

Suncream on babies? What to do?

9 replies

OneTwoOrThree · 06/08/2012 21:10

I know this is seriously minor in the scale of things, but I'm not sure what I should be doing so thought I would ask...

I'm taking the DC to the Balearics in a couple of weeks. Youngest will be just over 4 months. I've always been told not to put suncream on young babies, but also understand the importance of sun protection.

I'm planning on keeping the youngest in the shade as much as possible - I have a pop up sun tent, buggy shade etc, but none of these will keep her in the shade all the time. The temperature is likely to be 30+ degrees, so even a few minutes inthe sun will be quite a lot.

WWYD? Put suncream on the baby to protect her in those few minutes she's exposed, or leave her precious baby skin unprotected and obsess about keeping her in the shade?

Just reread this and i sound sooo PFB I guess suncream is the answer?

OP posts:

pjd · 06/08/2012 21:13

I've never heard that you shouldn't put suncream on young babies. My DS is 5 months and very pale, so I have been putting suncream on him when the weather has been nice over these past couple of weeks, and there has been no adverse reaction to it.

MrsHelsBels74 · 06/08/2012 21:18

I've never heard not to put sun cream on babies? My son was born in February so I didn't need to use it straight after he was born but used it the minute the sun came out. Obviously tried to keep him out of the sun as much as possible but used factor 50 all the time.

milkysmum · 06/08/2012 21:23

Why would you be advised not to put sun screen on a baby? I always have

Bongaloo · 06/08/2012 21:27

I've read not to put suncream on young babies (chemicals - and the surface area of their skin compared to their organs or something).

I don't know. Sounds like you've got the shade thing well covered, so suncream wouldn't be being used too much.

MarianForrester · 09/08/2012 22:09

I would try a mineral (non chemical) sunscreen.

I think the advice is there to stop people leaving babies in the sun.

NagooingForGold · 09/08/2012 22:22

I agree that it's to stop people thinking it's ok to put a newborn out on a roasting hot day wearing suncream.

The baby will not be mobile enough to escape the shade so I think that I would maybe put a bit on his legs/ whatever but not worry about slavering him in it.

SeventhEverything · 09/08/2012 22:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nappydaysagain · 09/08/2012 22:35

What about one of the factor 50 sun suits and keeping baby in the shade as much as possible. Sorry not sure how to link but Boots, Next and most supermarkets do them.

MeUp · 13/08/2012 20:36

I put sunscreen on my boy when he was a baby and the first thing he did was rub it in his eyes!! They were red for days. He wouldn't keep a hat on so had to smear his head with suncream, then all the sand stuck to his head. Honestly wished we'd holidayed in the UK that time. Even the baby sunsreen stings eyes! With a 4 month old though, you are totally in charge, big floppy hat, umbrella, breeze, shade. I think the total shade thing is the best answer. If you do use sunsreen try and keep it off of hands to avoid eye rubbing! Keep DC inside for the worst times - 11 until 3. Not much fun for you but won't be forever. Those sun suits are great but hot if you not in the water. The swimming nappies are rubbish for soaking wee wee and all-in-ones very hard to change in the heat. Buy a two piece one if possible for the nappy change. Our buggy needed a good hose down when we got home. Smelt of wee.

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