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Original poster

Do I need to put sun cream on my 6mo this time of year?

42 replies

Bumperlicioso · 24/03/2011 14:31

Just wondering if I should be putting suncream on the baby when outside. It's only March after all, but really warm.

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SallyScuttles · 24/03/2011 14:53

I was thinking this when I was on my way home from the park with my 9mo earlier.

I need to get a sun hat for her I think. DD1 had a reaction to all the sunscreens I tried so maybe a hat is the best option and you could just pop it in your change bag?

LaWeasel · 24/03/2011 15:08

IMO, no. But a hat might be a good idea, just in case we have an unexpected day.

Original poster

Bumperlicioso · 24/03/2011 15:43

I've had a hat on her today so that will hopefully do for a while. Dh says he had a good old tan when he was a baby as they were put outside in the pram in all weathers (except fog according to my MIL).

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Goblinchild · 24/03/2011 15:45

hat good.
Sunlight good. Think of rickets.

SeaChelles · 25/03/2011 13:26

I was thinking the same yesterday and was in Boots - so picked up some kids factor 50 to store in changing bag. No harm in keeping some in the bag for emergency sunshine! Also, hat is good idea, must pick one up. Mine is 6mo too.

Woodlands · 25/03/2011 17:28

I was thinking this today too, I was sitting in the park with my 8 month old. I put a sunhat on him and I'm sure that will do for a while yet, but I don't know when I'll need to put cream on him? I burn really easily myself so I guess I'll just put cream on him when I put it on myself.

strandedpolarbear · 25/03/2011 17:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sarahtigh · 26/03/2011 10:13

yes you may need sunscreen but also remember kids need a little exposure to sun without cream to get vitaminD as now there are so many kids that are deficient, i think it's about 10-15 mins a day without sunscreen

meditrina · 26/03/2011 10:18

It is of course best to keep them in shade, but it's awfully easy to get caught out on random spring sunny days. If you have a very fair child, I'd suggest putting sunscreen on bits that catch the sun (noses etc) on all bright days, extending it as the sun gains strength.

4FoxAche · 26/03/2011 16:34

I don't put suncream on either of my boys. 23months and 6months.

At the moment I just keep them inside or in the shade between 11 and 3 (easy at the moment as it's lunch then nap) and cover them in loose fitting clothes to keep their skin covered.

If it becomes a really hot summer then I'll put some on their faces and feet (barefoot most of the time) but still keep rest of body covered with loose fitting clothes.

monkoray · 26/03/2011 19:09

it depends how fair your child is and whether they are exposed or in the shade but i broke out the suncream for my DS yesterday (and its now i the nappy bag for any future sunny days - along with sunhat and sunglasses) My DH burns at the drop of a hat so i'm not taking any chances with DS. Plus if you do cover them in suncream you don't have to be quite as paranoid about whether they are in the shade all the time

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 26/03/2011 19:16

I never put sunscreen on DS in UK unless he's out all day in bright summer sunshine or we're on hols - a hat, long sleeved cotton t-shirts and making sure there is plenty of time in the shade.

kiwidreamer · 26/03/2011 22:44

Tee Hee I would never even consider sunscreen for a warm spring day in England, especially at 6mths when you are more in control of where they are ie be aware of the sun during 11 - 3pm, move to shade etc. I'm pretty sure at this time of year you'd need to be in direct sun for around an hour to risk burning (what I understood from a quick google on UV strength etc), May - Aug are the months to be more cautious and use sunscreen or stay out of sun during hottest part of the day.

Woodlands · 28/03/2012 12:21

Thought I'd bump this thread (which I posted on a year ago) to see what people think about sun cream in the current weather. I haven't put any on DS (now 20 months) yet this year but at the playground this morning all the other mums seemed to be slathering it on. I figure that even though it's hot the sun can't really be that strong in March, can it? Opinions please...

EdithWeston · 28/03/2012 12:27

Yes, the sun can be that hot. Yes, some children in our school had pinkish bits yesterday. The sun is unusually strong and there is no cloud at all. It's often the unexpected early spring sun that catches people out.

The damage that causes skin cancer is strongly associated with exposure in childhood.

You can safely supplement for vitamin D. There is no such thing as safe sunburn.

not2nightjosephine · 28/03/2012 12:34

It's not the "heat" of the sun that causes skin damage, it's the UV rays. At this time of year, at our latitude, there is no danger at all of that due to the angle of the sun and so the depth of atmosphere to be penetrated at a shallow angle, and sunshine is great for vitamin D and for psychological health. Let your baby enjoy it. I agree with an earlier poster that in May-August you would need to be more careful and think about sunscreen if your dc are going to be outside for prolonged periods.

Incidentally, people living North of about York get less skin cancer than southerners (because the sun is never high enough in the sky for them to get much UV penetration) but they have a higher mortality rate from all other cancers (which seems to be directly linked to lack of sunshine, and the jury is still out as to whether this is just an effect of vitamin D - which you can supplement - or whether there is more to it).

As a general rule, just ensure your baby/child never ever burns, and preferably never even reddens. They won't in March in the UK. Otherwise, enjoy the sun. Also, watch out for your baby overheating and/or dehydrating which is a completely different issue.

not2nightjosephine · 28/03/2012 12:37

Oh, also, people using sunscreen get more cancer overall (not skin cancer) than those not using sunscreen (possibly due to the chemicals in it, or possibly due to the lack of, um, sunshine) so the best way to achieve the not-burning is through staying in the shade in the middle part of the day, and to only use sunscreen on those rare occasions when you have no choice but to be out in sun that is high in the sky.

EdithWeston · 28/03/2012 12:41

Sorry, I phrased it badly when I said "hot".

The UV index is high enough to have caused sunburn on some children round here yesterday (seen in playground).

Whether you stay out of the sun, use suncream and/or supplementation will depend on your personal choice of whether you want to avoid the risk of sunburn, skin damage and cancer.

piratecat · 28/03/2012 12:44

well i was in the garden for two hours working yesterday and burnt my face. So i would say if it's hot yes.

BarryNormansSofa · 28/03/2012 12:56

yes I would say so too - was out in it all day Sunday for a sporting committment and we all caught the sun .

thefurryone · 28/03/2012 15:40

I would say it all depends on how long they are going to be out in the sun, I would probably put some on if we were planning to be outside for a while in the middle of the day. But for popping out to the shops, or late in the evening which is when DS is mostly in the garden I won't bother, we're quite far north and a bit of sunlight does more harm than good.

readyforno2 · 28/03/2012 16:04

Of course you can get burnt in march!!
I have red hair and very fair skin and can get burnt at anytime of the year (and in Scotland) I would definitely put sun cream on your dd/s?!? -sorry total baby brain.
Better to be safe than sorry

methodsandmaterials · 28/03/2012 16:10

not2, do you have a reference for "people using sunscreen get more cancer overall"?

belindarose · 28/03/2012 16:11

It's really hot here (south west). I'm wearing factor 30 and still daren't stay out long. Toddler DD has sunscreen on. We don't wear it if walking dog in the woods (although might have today) but for extended garden play, definitely.

At 6 months though, they need the shade or they'll feel hot and miserable anyway.

VonHerrBurton · 28/03/2012 16:48

Are you crazy not2? My dh played golf with a friend yesterday. The friend came home bright red with a small blister on his shin and the back of his neck was like a pillar box. He spent hours with cold flannels on those parts of his body.

I'll stick with the sunscreen, thanks. I'd also like a reference as to where you obtained that gem of information re cancer sufferers and their use of sunscreen.

Btw - we're in the tropical North West of England.

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