NOW CLOSED: Share your top stories and tips for applying sun lotion to yourself and your children with Garnier Ambre Solaire. You could win £100 worth of free Garnier products.

[KatieBMumsnet]

You may recall we recently recruited three mumsnetters to to be filmed and learn all about applying the correct amount of sun lotion, on themselves and on their children . The video will be coming soon as well as a giveaway and lots of advice (including a Q&A with Ambre Solaire's expert) so please do keep your eyes peeled for this.

Garnier say "we are really excited to be working with MN to to take part in our sun care challenge to help mums enjoy their summer safely with their families."

In the meantime everyone is invited to share their tips for getting suncream on their children as well as their stories about how easy or difficult you find this...do you worry about your children being exposed to the sun at home or abroad or you confident you know how much cream to apply and how often?

Everyone who adds a tips, story or comment to this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one person will win a Garnier goody bag worth up to £100.

If you were one of the MNers who attended the day with your child, please share with the rest of the community your experiences of the day, what you learnt and if you were surprised by anything.

Please note comments added to this thread may be used on the forthcoming Ambre Solaire pages on MN.

Thanks MNHQ

[RabbitsMakeBrownEggs]

I am petrified of wasps and tend to stay in in the summer, or at least close to home. I use a wasp repellent sun lotion in Factor 50 for us all and it helps to get me out and about, even if it is just psychological, I like that feature in my sun cream.

The kids adore the coloured stuff they can see to rub in. I'd like something that combines both. In an easy action pump spray for arthritic hands.

It would be the perfect sun cream.

[Fenouille]

We apply cream all over before getting dressed and then I have small tubes for when we're out and about. Hats are derigeur here too as are sunglasses (as I have very sensitive eyes) although I can't get DS to keep his sunglasses on for more than 10 seconds at a time.

I've also got some t-shirts and bathing costumes with anti-uv protection built in for the summer.

[Kristina2]

Our kids love the lipstick sized tubes of thick coloured sunblock . They paint them on tneir cheeks, noses and lips when they are swimming and pretend tbey are surfers or lifeguards

[CarryOnMatron]

I always get them covered in sun screen before we leave for the beach with a high factor cream. Once out and about I tend to top them up using a spray, we tend to get more cooperation if we buy a coloured spray. The boys seem to really like having sun screen put on if it is coloured.

Over time we've learnt not to neglect areas like tops of ears and scalp as these tend to be really sore and easy to miss. Also I let the boys choose their own sun hates and glasses which also contribute to avoiding getting burnt.

[r3dh3d]

I label each bottle when I buy it with the year it was bought. We end up with quite a few bottles kicking around over the year (in school bags for both DDs, in the house, in the buggy, in the holiday house, in the car...) and it's easy to lose track of which goes out of date when.

In summer, both DDs wear a single big French plait* - means I don't have to worry about a hair parting getting burnt, but still keeps it all out of their faces.

*I mean one French plait each. Not that I plait their heads together - though now I come to think of it, the idea has its merits...

[hairypotter]

We plaster children straight from the shower. Let them prance around in the nip for a bit to dry off afterwards. During the day we top up with the dry aerosol ones so no need to rub in, followed by a good dollop of cream on faces, ears, neck and scalp.

Sometimes it feels like all we do is apply sunscreen so I have decided to invent a machine to do it for me. it's like an automatic spray tan machine but with sunscreen! Genius idea if I may say so. Coming soon to all beaches and other hot sunny places. Pay a quid and pop your dc in and voila!!

[HazeltheMcWitch]

Agree with all the posters above who just get the suncream applied before going out.

I tend to let each DC rub suncream into one of my arms after they have had theirs applied. For some unknown reason it makes them more compliant.

[WitchOfEndor]

I make sure DS is covered in cream before I put his clothes on as it's easier and less messy to do that than slathering it on when he is dressed. He has Maltese heritage though so despite the factor 50 / sun hats and being out of the sun between 12:30 and 14:30 for a nap he still managed to get some colour!

[KenDoddsDadsDog]

I use the spray straight out of the shower. Have been known to dry DD with a hairdryer when we are in a rush

[Lilyloo]

When we are abroad everyone is done naked when we get up before we put our swimsuits on.
Oddly we never do that at home but I do like the coloured cream that helps you see where you have covered.
Watching this thread for tips as slip slop slapping 20 children at nursery is never easy!

[Lilyloo]

Always remember the parting in your hair too, had a painful experience when I missed that spot.

[Kveta]

we tend to have to wrestle DS to the ground, then use one hand to apply sun lotion, and one hand to stop him wiping it straight off.

also, we try not to be outside in the peak sunshine hours (so basically, March this year...), as DS will absolutely not wear a hat. Although we've recently had some success with a fez, but it looks a bit ridiculous being out and about in suburban England, with a blond toddler in wellies, a raincoat, and a fez.

I burned badly, and often, as a child, in the West of Scotland, so am not complacent about the power of the sun in the UK!

[aristocat]

Another here who creams the DCs when abroad before getting dressed. DS has sensitive skin and his sun-cream at the moment is a roll-on.
This has been a huge success for both DCs as they love the novelty of it instead of normal sun lotion bottle. Very easy to carry around and will definitely buy it again!

[Indith]

I keep my dcs covered really and use very little sunscreen. We spend a lot of time outside so they build up exposure. They wear proper hats and long shorts/t-shirts, we steer clear of strappy dresses. If we are at the beach or walking or otherwise out all day with little chance to seek shade then we apply sunscreen but for normal garden or park play I just make sure they come in for a bit fairly regularly (bribed with ice lollies or juice, also good for making ure they drink!).I've never had trouble getting it on them when it is needed and we know to use plenty. Neither child has had sunburn and nor do they get a deep tan, just not quite so pale as in winter so I figure I must be getting exposure about right.

[mckenzie]

We all use the lotions that last 6 hours or more so that application is minimal. When on holiday we tend to go from pjs to swim suits via suntan lotion application, it's just part of the routine. When we top up later, it's after lunch while we're chilling in the shade so DC can be reading or playing cards while we apply. DD is good at doing it herself, having watched us but DS, although older, is pants at it!! We don't like the sprays - one bit of wind and it goes everywhere.

[ratflavouredjelly]

I always put sun cream on before the tinies are dressed (unlike DH who tries to poke it around under their collars). I also have a stash located conveniently around the house - at least one tube in one of the kids bedrooms, one in the kitchen and one in the car.
There is a sun cream which is blue so you can see where you have applied previously that's rather handy.
I avoid the spray on creams as there have been claims of nano technology etc etc adding chemicals deep into the skin. Prefer old school sun cream.

[EllenParsons]

Don't forget the less obvious spots like back of the neck, ears, feet!

[Blatherskite]

The anyway up spray cans are by far the easiest way of applying lotion ime. I give mine a good dousing before getting dressed in the morning to make sure we've got everywhere and then top it up as thoroughly as I can around lunchtime when the sun is strongest. - always trying to remember that sleeves and short legs can ride up when children are playing.

The pump sprays are the worst. Once you've done one child and rubbed it in, your hands are too slippy to pump the bottle for the second child!

I also always keep a spare bottle of cream in the baby bag and by the back door. No excuse for forgetting then :)

[ShatnersBassoon]

Oh yes, children's ears burn very easily when the sun hat of choice is a baseball cap and they're outside on a school trip all day. I did their face and neck, but forgot their tabs :oops:.

[ShatnersBassoon]

That should be a , not a . I'm not insanely proud of my parental shortcomings.

[TheRhubarb]

I didn't realise that children's sunscreen was not to be used on babies. I think if you look on the instructions they have to be over a year old.

Therefore when mine were very little I would seek out sunscreen made with zinc oxide as apparently this cream is not absorbed into the skin but creates a layer on the skin to protect against the sun. However by far the better method is just to keep children covered with long sleeved t-shirts and hats and where possible, provide shade for them to play under.

Some of the high factor sunscreens can be really greasy and heavy, but I find the sprays are good for even coverage. I don't use a very strong factor as children do also need to absorb some of the suns rays to get essential vitamin D (as do we), so I generally go for factor 25 or 30.

Also, every summer check your sunscreen as they do go out of date which can make them less effective. On hot days keep them in the fridge as not only is that lovely and cooling when you spray it on, but it also stops it again from going off.

[Tamoo]

I always use the spray-on for DS; easier to apply, less mess, more fun. The only annoyance is that mix of water, sand and suncream that you have to deal with later in the day when you're out at the beach.

I remember going on holiday as a child and burning terribly; we'd go back to our apartment and my mum would peel the skin off my back and shoulders (don't know whether people just didn't care as much in those days or whether it was just her )

[ScorpionQueen]

Might be TMI but we always start the day by applying it naked in the hotel room. We reapply frequently. We get through a lot of sun lotion on holiday and I favour higher factors, as a tan is not the reason we go abroad. I also make sure we have access to shade and books/toys/games etc. to encourage the kids to spend time out of direct sunlight.

As the girls are getting older I have to nag them more but the message seems to be getting through to them. I show them pics of the nan in Benidorm as a cautionary tale.

[FrankWippery]

I was one of the MNers who attended the day with my youngest DD (3) for the Ambre Solaire info wotnot and about 50 film/make-up/clothes crew

Well, let's say I could happily get used to that sort of day! We arrived first thing at the most lovely house in North London and were whisked straight through to the kitchen for a delicious breakfast and a talk through of the day's plans.

DD3 was taken off with her chaperone (get us ) for the day to choose her Summer outfits - dress, hat and costume - while we (me and the other two MNers there) had our hair and make up done. Then we were shown the clothes options for us. Per Una... Oddly enough, we wore mostly our own garb!

The first part of the day involved our slathering sun cream into the children in their swimwear that had been mixed with a UV reacting powder, and we were told to apply as we would normally. They (the Ambre Solaire team) made a note of how much we applied which would be used later to show us where/if we went wrong...

Once applied the children were (individually) taken into a tent with UV lighting, instructed to twirl etc, while the camera chaps filmed and the Dermatologist discussed with us (the mothers) how we had applied, where we had missed bits or not put enough on - all this very apparent under the UV where DD, my hands, my lovely white jeans and just about anything I'd touched, glowed a nuclear green. DD absolutely loved this.

Mid morning Lorraine Kelly arrived. TBH I was expecting a mass entourage of her 'people', but it was her, her trusty stick (she has pretty recently had a horrendous accident involving a horse stamping on her leg - mean scar to show as well) and her lovely PA. She was absolutely delightful and spent the whole day happily chatting to us, the children and, somewhat amusingly, was in fits when DD3 shushed her rather enthusiastically during a silent filming moment.

We stopped for the most fabulous lunch (see how I can absolutely get used to this life) and then the children were ushered to change into their Summer clothes/hats etc. All of this day was meant to be shot out in the garden. However, of all the rain that could come in one day, that was THE day for it. So, they had to go off the original script plan (kids' party, running around in swimmies etc in the garden) and try and recreate something as best as could be done. The children were bribed given some little toys and were filmed on and off over the next hour or so as just themselves.

The bigger segment of the filming was to be me, the other two MNers, Lorraine Kelly and the Dermatologist (whose name escapes me, sorry) sitting round the 'party' table and chatting about everything and nothing, interspersed with the 'serious' bit about how well we did with our sun cream applications, how we should have done it and how much we should be using on the average pre-schooler/older child and ourselves.

This, in theory, would have been a relatively easy task. Or so I thought. Not only was there the massive temptation of all the Haribo, biscuits and pineapple cubes which I succumbed to with alarming speed there was also the problem of trying to keep a straight face, not snort with laughter and re take a gazillion times. At this point it was apparent that the children were much better behaved than their mothers. And it was noted.

The results for me and my DD showed that while my coverage was pretty good I had forgotten silly bits like the tips of her ears and the back of her neck (though she does have long hair). The recommended amount for her age is 4 teaspoons (20ml) and I had used half that. The dermatologist suggested that topping up every couple or three hours is about right - all depending on how much they're in and out of the pool/sea, getting hot and sweaty, towelling off etc, along with the usual blurb of staying out of the sun between noon and 3. Interestingly (and confirming what I had felt) she said that the once a day creams really are not once a day full protection if one is leaping in and out of the water all day (as my children and I do), and she said that even they need to be reapplied at least one more time.

With my children I have always applied their sun cream a good half an hour before leaving the house (when we lived in the sun) or hotel etc, and generally been pretty good about topping up every couple of hours or so. Having lived in Southern Spain for almost 8 years, I like to think that I am pretty savvy when it comes to the sun and we would rarely venture out in the direct sun during the middle of the day.

All in all we had a fabulous day, DD really enjoyed herself (as did I) and I learnt, quite simply, that we need to be applying more sunscreen than we think and, while protecting them from burning is paramount, they must have that exposure to the sun to get that all important Vit D - blocking out completely is a BAD thing, as we have learnt during recent studies - and that's just in this country and the somewhat erratic sun that we get here.