For the sun-conscious mothers out there..help!

[kldmom2000]

I'm paranoid about the sun.... I worked as a clinical assistant for a dermatologist for a few years and saw far too much in the way of skin cancer in all ages

I get picked on by friends/acquaintances because I am forever slathering my girls (and myself) with SPF 50+++ sunscreen. I do buy them regular swimsuits from LandsEnd that have the spf 50 in them (they don't like the feel of the rash guard swimsuits) but I make them wear hats even in the water We reapply sunblock after each swim and I make them sit in the shade of an umbrella when we're not in the water

 

[clori]

I would love ideas for hats that stay on in the water even when swimming underwater. My dd doesn't have much hair and has zero desire to wear traditional swim caps outside She is almost 8 so the baby type hats don't fit.
We use lots of sunblock, hats etc and do a lot of our swimming inside at the y pool rather than outside during peak sun times. I also make sure that the kids have lots of water to drink when we are out in the heat/humidity/sunny weather.

 

[flipflop]

Our trio wear waterproof sunscreen, rash guards and baseball or bucket hats. Fortunately we started rash guards the summer they were one, so they have had them on the past two summers. It's just part of being at the beach or the pool for them and they don't give us a hard time.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I know the ON ones have SPF. I didn't look at the tag on the Target ones. (Not sure if all rash guards have SPF protection by nature or???)

I'm glad there are cute rash top ones out there, because most of the options for girls 2 piece suits, well let's just say aren't an option I want my DD in at age 7....

 

[_queenie_]

I'm paranoid about the sun.... I worked as a clinical assistant for a dermatologist for a few years and saw far too much in the way of skin cancer in all ages

We're very fair with me being from UK and my DH being from Irish/French (pale French) descent. I am (was) blonde my self but my DH had white, white blonde hair, even through High School (which my DD3.5 has inherited). My DS is even past the blonde, even though he's always had light brown hair, he has a ton of red highlights and freckles.

Anyway, my DH has had TONS of spots zapped over the the years, most of them were minor but one on his back, why he started going to the dermatologist, was extremely severe. I myself have never been one to lay out in the sun (and have used sunscreen at the beach since it's been around), but since then I've always been extra cautious, especially with my three pale kids. My DS used to wear a long sleeved rash guard over his swim trunks (my DDs never have), and before that he just wore a t-shirt. He started complaining that both made his skin itch when he came out of the water (at around 13), so now I just have them wear regular bathing suits and coat them with SPF 50 sunscreen (I've been liking Ocean Potion, Hawaiian Tropic and Coppertone have been great, too) every two or so hours.

I just read all the Gap swimsuits have UPF 50 protection (UV Protection Factor) built into them, if you're looking for ones with that. This is getting a little off topic, but right now I've been buying the Kate Mack suits for my DD3.5. They're a little bit pricey at $50, but they're really cute, here's the link to a great selection for anyone interested. http://www.denimndaisies.com/SearchResult.aspx?&Manufacturer=109

 

[littleteapot]

I have a few long sleeve, long leg suits for my red head that I purchased from

www.alexandme.com

They are good quality.

 

[genhand]

DS8 wears a bikini type bottom and short sleeve "watershirt", DS5 the same with his trunks. I just got them at Old Navy last year. I can't say that they are SPF tops

I do the same. also got mine at Old navy last year and if I recall correctly, the one for grown up are SFP.

 

[duckybelle]

I am part irish, so I burn EASILY!!! My dd burns slightly, and my ds not hardly ever!!! My dd and I both wear tops over our suits and a lot of sunscreen, ds just trunks but I make him wear sunscreen too!!! When I was young I got a BAD sunburn and have a red patch on my arm (not too noticeable) and I dont want my kids to have to worry about skin cancer besides!!!

 

[DVCJones]

We do lots of SPF 45+. It is weird We apply the sunscreen on each DD at the same time many times a day. At the end of the week one DD is as pale as she was when she arrived in WDW, the other is a light brown. I can actually see her getting browner each day. How does this happen when each child is wearing the same brand/amount of sunscreen?

I will be going to target this week! I think the shirts sound great!

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

Thank you everyone so much for all of your thoughts! We will be going to Target or Old Navy (depending on who has the better sale, of course) very soon. It's nice to see that there are others out there who are worried about how the sun affects their children. Now, if I can just convince my DMIL & DSIL to stop using baby oil........AAAAHHHHHH !