How to keep 6 month old out of the sun?

[esk]

We're going in May with DS3 and DD 6mo ----- we put sunscreen on ourselves and DS of course, but how to handle 6 mo old? We'll be using both the stroller (car seat with the sun shade that goes over the top) and the Baby Bjorn.

How do we keep her from getting too hot and from getting sunburned?

Any advice, please.

 

[ptslp]

I am in a similar situation- we are going in April with a 2 1/2 year old and 6 month old. I believe that once babies are 6 months old they can use sunscreen. We took my son to FL when he was 6 months and the doctor okayed sunblock. You just have to be careful about allergic reactions- my son did well with one brand, but reacted to another. The best are the ones with zinc (they are "lotiony", but stay a bit white). I would call your doctor and ask their recommendation.

Kathryn

 

[SouthFLMommy]

You can also get one of these. http://www.onestepahead.com/product/27210/1374/117.html

I live in Florida, and I always used these on the strollers, the sun can get so harsh. Plus, the sublock should be ok, but double check with your pediatrician.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

We took our DD down to Disney last December and she was 6 months old. We used "Baby Sunscreen" I think it was Coppertone (the Dr recomended it)....she ended up with HIVES.....real bad....big, huge, hives all over her body. We called our Dr. at home and we had to give her benydryl. They went away pretty quick but I would be very careful with the sunscreen. Also the Dr. Said not to get the SFP to high as it is absorbed into the skin. I think we bought 30?? I don't remember. We have since used sunscreen on her as we have a pool and she has never had another problem?? I think maybe her skin was just very sensitive when she was so small.
I agree with buying an additional sunshade. We purchased a great one from Babys-R-Us and we used it the whole trip. It was called the "Protect-a-Bub Deluxe single Stroller Sunshade". We chose this one because it gave us the option of full shade coverage or just extended canopy shade and it did this by just folding back. We loved it!
If you use the link from South Fl Mommy and go with One Step Ahead (which looks good too) I think that the code for 15% off a $50.00 purchase is FEBVAL. I am not sure of the expiration date. I saw this a little while back so it should still be OK to use. Good Luck and enjoy your trip!

 

[joym70]

We live at the beach and sunblock our kids all day every day during the summer. Our Ped. also told us it was ok to start using sunblock on the kids at 6 mths. but to make sure it was PABA free. We also use HATS everywhere. We have so many hats we could open a hat store but they do keep the sun off naked heads and it isn't always easy to apply sunblock to baby faces. We do use a stick type on faces as it's easier and less messy. Good luck

 

[java]

Yep sunscreen is now allowed for babies. (Mine even OK'd it for my three month old- pabafree kind) I also am a big fan of the giant floppy hat-(Hanna andersson sells some great ones)

 

[grlpwrd]

Here's an excerpt from babycenter.com :

How can I keep my child from getting a sunburn?
Keep your baby out of direct sunlight as much as possible, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest. The best way to protect him is to routinely dress him in a hat and lightweight pants and a long-sleeved shirt for outings during the middle of the day. Add UV-protected sunglasses if he'll wear them.

Until August 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended against using any type of sunscreen on babies younger than 6 months. Their skin's ability to metabolize and excrete chemicals may not be fully developed. But the AAP now says that no evidence shows that using sunscreen on small areas of a baby's skin is harmful, and it's probably safe to use sunscreen on babies under 6 months if adequate clothing and shade aren't available. That doesn't mean you should slather your baby in sunblock, though. Just apply small amounts of lotion to his face and the back of his hands.

For all babies, the AAP recommends using brimmed hats and waterproof sunscreen. The AAP and American Academy of Dermatology recommend an SPF of at least 15, but many experts recommend 30 or higher for babies, and baby sunscreen formulas often have even higher SPFs. Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before sun exposure for it to seep in, and reapply it after your baby has played in the water, even if it's waterproof.

When trying a new sunscreen, do a patch test on your child's back to make sure he doesn't have a reaction to it. If he does develop a rash or redness at the test site, choose a hypoallergenic formula instead.

I would also consider purchasing sunsafe clothing if you can to block the UV rays. I have a UVA suit my son wears when he swims and a shirt and shorts.

GL!

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

We used big floppy hats and a solarveil sling with DD, she was 4 months old though. With the sling you can open it up and use it as a wrap on the baby bjorn.

 

[Kermit]

If you do decide to go with sunscreen, I'd try it out several times at home before you go. Allergic reactions are always possible, and it's easier to handle at home. I'd also go with an SPF 15. Anything higher than that has way too many chemicals.

Clothes, hats, stroller shades, and staying in the shade are the safest way to avoid sunburns. You might choose to avoid afternoon parades and playing in pools during the day.

BTW, you didn't ask for advice on this, but I'd probably avoid the stroller with the carseat in it unless your baby just doesn't like being in the stroller without it. I know you mentioned the Baby Bjorn, so it's not like she'll be in the stroller all the time, but having all the extra space around her will make her cooler.

 

[DebIreland]

I'm gonna try one of these fans which attach to the stroller http://www.bestbabygear.com/pifanfrke.html - or http://www.babycare-direct.co.uk/pram_accessories_1.html

I need to do a bit more research to get one that definitely fits my Maclaren stroller.

I'm a big fan of legionnaire style sun hats which go right down over the back of the neck like this one here http://www.sunprotected.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=27

I used one last summer for my daughter on the beach when she was just 3 months old and it worked beautifully.

I'd also agree with the previous poster who said to try to sunscreen at home first. Try it out on a small patch of skin and see if there's any reaction. Perhaps if you check out some websites there might be some places where you could get free samples before you buy? Perhaps not though, I'm not sure.

Good luck. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

I bought the white hood to toe sunsuit for DD when she was a toddler. Now our whole family has sunsafe shirts and big hats since I came down with a sun rash last year after a day at a water park.

 

[blackforest]

We had the same questions. I took an extra crib sheet and split the seam on two corners (on a short side). Then all I had to do was pin or clothespin the flaps of material around the the stroller handle bar, and the other elasticzied corners hugged the bottom of the stroller seat. Also, gave us an extra blanket/sheet for unexpected needs!

 

[justhat]

We took our daughter to Disney last May and June (she was almost 3 and almost 4 months). Our dr said sunblock was fine to use on her at that age. So every morning we slathered her in sunblock (we did test it at home first since I am allergic to most sunblocks), then put a sunhat on her (brim in front and flap in back to cover neck), then we put her in the Baby Bjorn. To keep her legs and arms out of the sun, we draped a very thin, light colored receiving blanket over the back of the Bjorn (tucked it in top of the back). We faced her in so she was 100% covered from the sun at all times. The blanket over the Bjorn not only completely covered her arms and legs, but also kept her cooler since the Bjorn is black normally and would be much hotter than the white covering. She actually was cooler in this than in the stroller. We took a completely reclining stroller with full canopy and draped a white, mesh sheet (from fabric store) over the top to cover any parts left open by the canopy. We then clipped a fan onto the snack tray so she got a breeze.

 

[Brika]

Just returned and it was HOT!
82 plus degrees! In Feb! Our 6 mo. old didn't get a bit of sunburn... we brought a crib sheet (full size crib) and LOVED it! We used it a TON. We could use the elastic sides to help "hug" it to the stroller... keeps hot sun off... when it got really hot, we'd wet it down and the cool wet would keep her cool. We also used it for sitting on during parades, wiping down ourselves or benches when they were wet, it was great!

Brika

 

[esk]

Not sure DD will be able to sit up in a regular stroller? She'll be just under 6 mo and the regular stroller part, without the car seat in it, seems huge, like she'll just flop around and slowly ooze out. If I roll up blankets/towels and put them on either side, then she'll be hot?

She does get hot inthe Bjorn, so great advice on the crib sheets, thanks everyone. Am also looking for one of the sunsuits......probably better than a long sleeved sleeper with feet; sure, keeps the sun off, but also will make her very hot.

 

[tjmw2727]

Not sure DD will be able to sit up in a regular stroller? She'll be just under 6 mo and the regular stroller part, without the car seat in it, seems huge, like she'll just flop around and slowly ooze out. If I roll up blankets/towels and put them on either side, then she'll be hot?

She does get hot inthe Bjorn, so great advice on the crib sheets, thanks everyone. Am also looking for one of the sunsuits......probably better than a long sleeved sleeper with feet; sure, keeps the sun off, but also will make her very hot.

She should be fine if you strap her in properly and leave the stroler in a reclining position. I never used blanket and had my girls in a stroller from the first week.

Studies have shown that babies should not be spending as much time in carseats as we "Americans" are using them for. They should be used for car trips and quick trips like grocery etc. Your baby will be better off in a full size reclining stroller than in a carseat for several hours per day. Not to mention cooler!

We used a clip on umbrella as well as a clip on fan - worked great for a little breeze and also for white noise while the girls were napping. As others have mentioned sunscreen is ok for a 6 mo old, check with your ped but they should ok it. Try some out at home on a small area just in case of a reaction.

Have a great trip.
TJ

 

[justhat]

I agree that your daughter will be fine in a regular stroller at 6 months. I rarely used the carseat in our stroller, only when she was asleep in the car. Our stroller fully reclined, so we just put her in that from the time she was a couple of weeks old. It also faced us, which was nice cause she loved being able to see us.

Also, not sure about your daughter, but there's no way my daughter would have stayed in her carseat all day long. She hated her carseat for long car trips, let alone if I tried to keep her in it all day strolling along. We went to WDW with my cousins and their baby when she was 6 months (my daughter was 3 months) and she used the carseat in the stroller and her baby was fine, but it was kind of annoying to keep belting her in and out of the carseat each time. Also, it was difficult to carry the stroller, carseat, baby, and diaper bag on the buses each time.

We went to Disneyland with our daughter at 6 months (she turned 6 months the 2nd day of the trip) and she was very happy to be sitting up in her stroller. She was able to sit up on her own a week before she turned 5 months so by 6 months that's all she wanted to do. But even if she can't sit up herself yet at 6 months, she'll be able to sit in a propped position, so a semi-recline in the stroller.

 

[TinkerbellMama]

We are going to buy a UV suit for our ds this summer. They sell them at www.onestepahead.com and they are white with hoods. I think the smallest size is 12 mos. but from what I hear most 6 mos. babies could fit into them unless he/she is REALLY small. Anyway, they are very breathable mesh and are designed for beachwear so they should not be hot at all. They are also quick-dry so getting wet is not a problem if you go to Donald's Boat, BB, or TL. HTH

 

[kelscross]

I'm sorry I do not remember the name of the sunscreen, but when my older DD was a couple months old we were invited to a pool party. I didn't want to go at first because I was afraid of being out in the sun with her (even under an umbrella). I went to a pharmacy and asked the pharmacist about sunscreen for babies her age and he recommended a brand especially for young babies and it was VERY expensive, but worth it.

Like I said I don't remember the name but it was a small tube, very pricey, the tube was white with a yellow cap and the lotion was actually a tan color.

Ask the pharmacist at your local store and they will probably know which one to use.

Have fun!

 

[justhat]

I'm sorry I do not remember the name of the sunscreen, but when my older DD was a couple months old we were invited to a pool party. I didn't want to go at first because I was afraid of being out in the sun with her (even under an umbrella). I went to a pharmacy and asked the pharmacist about sunscreen for babies her age and he recommended a brand especially for young babies and it was VERY expensive, but worth it.

Like I said I don't remember the name but it was a small tube, very pricey, the tube was white with a yellow cap and the lotion was actually a tan color.

Ask the pharmacist at your local store and they will probably know which one to use.

Have fun!

We have that lotion. It's Mustela baby sunscreen. And you're right it is very pricey, but good.

We also have the Mustela diaper cream and I have to say that works wonders, better than any diaper rash cream I've used (and I feel like I've tried them all). One use and the rash is totally gone. Luckily Madison hasn't had any rashes in months, but under about 3 months she pottied so much that she'd get raw. The other creams weren't nearly as effective. Again, it's expensive, but well worth it.