Infants And Sunscreen

Apply sunscreen about 15 to 30 minutes before you and your toddler go outside then reapply every two hours and more often if your little one is sweating or playing in water.

Infants and sunscreen.

Use sunscreen on small areas of the body such as the face if protective clothing and shade are not available. Pick a broad spectrum sunscreen with an spf of at least 30. The skin is very delicate at that age and there s just not much known about how those chemicals can affect children that young she adds. Stick with the physical sunscreen agents containing either zinc oxide or titanium oxide.

If your baby is older than 6 months sunscreen is recommended. We don t recommend that sunscreen be used on children 6 months and younger says mary o connell director of skin cancer initiatives for the society. For babies 6 months and older spread a liberal amount of sunscreen about half a shot glass worth all over any exposed skin 15 to 30 minutes before you go outside. For infants over six months of age stick with the tried and true sunscreens.

Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and after swimming sweating or drying off with a towel. But inevitably some precious baby parts will be exposed to everyday rays and in 2018 the american academy of pediatrics said when adequate clothing and shade are not available parents can apply a minimal amount of sunscreen with at least 15 spf on infants under six months to small areas such as the infant s face and the back of the hands. Because most people use too little sunscreen make sure to apply a generous amount. When it comes to infants and sunscreen the fda recommends against it and endorses sun protective clothing.

It used to be advised that you should not use sunscreen on babies less than six months old but the aap now states that sunscreen is probably safe to use on younger children especially if you just use it on small areas of your baby s skin exposed to the sun and not protected by clothing. Because these ingredients are known to be safe when used on infants. Since babies have thinner skin and absorb products through the skin faster avoid chemical sunscreens. And don t be fooled by labels that say the sunscreen is water resistant for either 40 or 80 minutes.

How much sunscreen should baby wear. For babies younger than 6 months. Among the concerned is the american cancer society. Sunscreen is a must any time your baby is outside.

Apply sunscreen generously to your baby s exposed skin and reapply every two hours or more often if your baby is spending time in the water.