Summer is a wonderful time for children but it is also important to make sure you protect your kid's skin. Please refer below for some tips on sunblock.

Sunblock for Infants?

Sunblock Tips

Other Information

Works Cited

Sunblock for Infants?
When my son was born I was told by my pediatrician not to use sunblock until he was 6 months old. It appears now according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), that some sunblock can be used for babies less than 6 months old but try to limit the use to "small areas of the body, such as the face and the backs of the hands, if protective clothing and shade are not available." Once the baby is older than 6 months then "[a]pply to all areas of the body, but be careful around the eyes" (AAP). The reason to avoid the use of sunblock for babies less than 6 months old is "[b]ecause of the uncertain absorption of sunscreen through the skin of tiny babies...[u]se it sparingly..." (Sears 735).

The best sunblock is to try to keep babies in the shade, use hats, and protective clothing. It was easy for my sun as I loved using the bathing suit tops that had the UV protection. For my baby girl her bathing suit doesn't cover much of her skin so I had to use extra precautions.

With my daughter, I was more relaxed and felt a little sun in the late afternoon is not a bad thing, it does provide vitamin D, but I definitely did take precautions to protect her skin. Overall, try to limit sun exposure between 10AM and 4PM when UV rays are the strongest (AAP). Confirm with your child's doctor the best sunblock to use and when it is appropriate to use it.
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Sunblock Tips
Try to find a sunscreen with the following elements:

"Broad Spectrum" - both UVB and UVA
SPF of at least 15. (Higher SPF more UVB protection)
UVA Star Rating: 1 star - low; 2 stars - medium; 3 stars - high; 4 stars - highest protection in over-the counter sunscreen product
For extra sensitive areas (nose, cheeks, tops of ears, shoulders) use one with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide which will stay visible on skin even after you rub them in
Use PABA-free since some babies are sensitive to PABA
Use waterproof sunblock
Apply 30 minutes before going outside
Use even on cloudy days; remember sun reflects off of water and sand
Reapply every 2 hours especially if swimming or sweating

I liked the Earth's Best Mineral-Based Sunblock which was PABA-free. I liked the fact that it was thick and didn't seem to rub off the skin easily. I always like to make sure my kids get a good bath when they get home after wearing sunblock and/or swimming in chlorine.
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Other Information
Please refer to the "Pool Time" article for other information about going to the pool with little kids. I hope you enjoy the summer!
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Works Cited

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Sun Safety: What's the best way to protect my child in the sun?"
healthychildren. 1 June 2011 <http://www.healthychildren.org>.

Sears, William M.D., Martha Sears, R.N., Robert Sears, M.D. and James Sears, M.D. The Baby Book:
Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby - From Birth to Age Two. New York: Little, 2003.

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Reading Program - Teach your baby or child to read

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Sunblock

Sunblock for Infants? Sunblock Tips Other Information Works Cited

Sunblock for Infants?

Sunblock Tips

Other Information

Works Cited