Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

This is one of those touchy areas, but 2 months ago I asked my doc about baby sunscreen as summer approached. She said no way, not under six months. DD will be 6 months on the 30th and today we're going to be outside a lot and I don't think there's much shade at one particular home. I plan to dress DD in her iPlay hat (sunscreen hat) and at least have her shoulders covered. I always take great care to keep her out of the sun, use light aiden and anais blankets, etc. That being said, my best friend's pedi told her that since HER daughter (born a week after my daughter) is so close to 6 months, better to give them a little sunscreen and have the protection rather than risk the exposure if you're really going to be out a lot. She advised her to do a patch test first. So, I kind of took that advice and just bought the Neutrogena Baby Free and Pure (i think it's like SPF 60). Just put a little on her leg to see if there's a reaction, and then planned to use some today. Thoughts? Is this wrong? Do I need to put an emergency call to the doc to ask first?

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

I would put it on on her. You were smart to test out her skin for a reaction - seeing as there was none I would go ahead and put it on her exposed skin today. I don't think much changes between now and the 30th...kwm?

Much better to have the sunscreen and hat than to get burned. I am sure that even your ped would agree.

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

She's very close and it seems like a burn would be worse but I am not sure what makes doctors say no sunscreen till 6 months. I would go with your gut

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

I asked my ped if I could use sunblock on my 3 month old and he said it was fine.i started using it on the twins when they were 5 months, so I think your dd is fine. I use babytanics cover up baby on all of them.

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

I convinced by ped to let me use at 5 months and DS was fine...

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

Better to use it then not to use it...We used it on DS at almost 5 months when we went to Disney. Our pedi told us too. Just don't put it on the hands and feet. They go into the mouth... Be careful near the eyes and mouth too. At that age DS had no problems wearing a sunhat..

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

Message edited 6/19/2011 9:05:20 AM.

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

Its fine to use now.
And what the pp said is correct. SPF30 is fine.

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

I would use it. It's not like anything "magically" changes at exactly 6 months or a few days before. KWIM?

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

I think it's fine! I asked DD's doc about that last week--she's 5 1/2 months and her doc said to wait. I said, will 2 1/2 weeks really make a difference? She said probably not, but if she's not strict about it, parents will start putting on earlier and earlier. I see her point, but really, her skin isn't going to change in a matter of days (if she's going to get a reaction, that is).

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

I plan on doing the same...We will be in florida 2 weeks or so before they turn 6 months and I will use it there. I want them to be able to go in the pool with their cousin without having to worry too much!

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

At 4 mths old we went on a beach vaca. My dr said better sunscreen than being burnt but no sun is the best. We had umbrellas and a tent and kept her out of he sun but I would use it being so close to 6 mths

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

Yup, I would in this case.

And, I loooove the Iplay hats. Have used them every year, and my oldest DD is 4, she has them again this summer.

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

Our ped told us at DD's 4-month appointment to start using it on her (all but her face) any time we are out. She said aveeno baby (it's SPF 55). Maybe because we're in the south they say start earlier?

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

I think that is fine especially since you tested first - a few days is not going to make a difference. I think its better to be protected!

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

I used california baby when DS was 2-3 months old since he was outside. SPF 30 just means you need to reapply sooner then those with higher spfs

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

This is the first I am hearing about not putting sunscreen on babies. Thank goodness...since I put in on my DD at 2 months old!!! She is VERY fair and I thought she had to have it on! She is fine. No one ever told me not to.

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

We started at 4months as well since it was April, and we had nice weather here. We did a patch test and talked to our ped. My DH's father has skin cancer so, for us, we are trying to take extra precautions. We have the neutrogena baby spf 60.....it works great and she likes the stick form. SHe is just facinated with it. Plus starting earlier made it easier for her to "understand" what we were doing and she doesn't fight it.

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I use these sunscreen wipes, they are so easy t use and there is enough on each for both DS top to bottom and me face and arms.




They advertised as being made my pediatricians, and safe for even under 6m. I only use them when there is a chance we'll get burned. I check UV rating for the day, if its like 15 min till sunburn, I'll use it right away, but lower day ratings, I'll wait an hour to use it. I like that DS gets sun, he usually will sleep better that night when he gets plenty of sun.

They are a little pricey, but I use ebates and get 6% off drugstore.com and today got buy 1 get 1 free there.

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

I can only tell you what we did, but it was with our ped's encouragement. Our ped's thought was that as long as you test his skin a little first before you cover head to toe in the stuff, the risk of a sunburn far outweighs the risk from sunscreen. DS is extremely fair...More fair than I am, and I am pretty fair. I also had a number of sun burns as a kid and am paying dearly for it now. In the past 5 years I've had a number of cancer scares, all skin related, and now have to to go for frequent skin checks. Baby skin is so delicate and burns easily. I would check a small patch of skin to make sure DC is not allergic. Even trying your best to keep DC out of the sun doesn't always work. The one time in my life I got skin poisoning my only exposure was riding in the car with "T Top"

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You know what's weird? When DD was only about 6-7 wks old I took her to the Ped and he told me that I should be putting sunscreen on her when we go outside. At SIX WEEKS old. I was like 'um, no' and just continued to cover her face with a hat and stay in shade. So I don't know what to think. I guess it's not a big deal to put it on before 6 months since some doctors think it's fine.

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

I asked my ped at DD's 5 month visit and he said to use sunscreen just not near her eyes and mouth and not on her hands (because she puts them in her mouth)

Re: Thoughts on using sunscreen when baby is days away from being 6 months?

My ped told me to use sunscreen on babies at any age so long as it's PABA free. DD is 4 months and we use it. My ped recommended Blue Lizard