I would like to go to the beach today...How long is it ok I have my four month old out there?

Jana - posted on 06/26/2009

my son had heart surgery at three months old and they TOLD me to use suncreen. Are the doctors wrong? I think not!

Nichole - posted on 06/26/2009

Quoting Debbie:

I also have a 4 month old. My dr said sunscreen was safe for her but Not to put it on her hands (as they go in their mouths) or face.

Thank you, that does make sense...lol. I don't want him eating it. I don't think it would taste very good.

Nichole - posted on 06/26/2009

Quoting Debbie:

I also have a 4 month old. My dr said sunscreen was safe for her but Not to put it on her hands (as they go in their mouths) or face.

Thank you, that does make sense...lol. I don't want him eating it. I don't think it would taste very good.

Debbie - posted on 06/26/2009

I also have a 4 month old. My dr said sunscreen was safe for her but Not to put it on her hands (as they go in their mouths) or face.

Abby - posted on 06/26/2009

ah bless ya! im first time and still learning too! talk to a pharmacist too they may help. but just make sure u gotta tent or something!

aw well make sure u get in that sea as soon as poss even if it's just padddling xx

Nichole - posted on 06/26/2009

Quoting Abby:

Nichole, i dunno what aveeno is, but it should say on it what age to use it from!! hope u have/had a good time x

We actually didn't go cause it started rain as we were getting ready but the next sunny day we are going. But I am learning a lot about sunscreen here. The bottle I have does say 6 months or consult a physician. I am googling stuff and it says its ok to put in on there faces and hands and feet if I have to but its recommended not to drench a baby in it till 6 months. I am so glad I asked this question cause I would have drench him in.

Abby - posted on 06/26/2009

Nichole, i dunno what aveeno is, but it should say on it what age to use it from!! hope u have/had a good time x

Nichole - posted on 06/26/2009

Quoting Lisa:

they make infant sunscreen for a reason...

What is infant sunscreen? Is it different than what I have? The aveeno baby? I am sorry, I am a new mommy and worry about everything. lol

Lisa - posted on 06/26/2009

they make infant sunscreen for a reason...

Abby - posted on 06/26/2009

as far as i was aware, u shouldnt put suncream on a baby till they're 6months and even then they shouldnt be out in the son really.

lots of water and no direct sunlight is best i think!

Melissa - posted on 06/26/2009

According to everything I have read and been told it is fine to start using sunscreen on a 4 month old. I dont see why there would be such an issue with it. My son is 6 months and whenever I take him outside I put sunscreen on him.

Laura - posted on 06/26/2009

Aveeno baby is actually what my doctor and pharmacist recommended for my daughter because A) its SPF55 and B) on the chemical scale Aveeno is very low.

Ryan - posted on 06/26/2009

babies cant be in the sun? are you kidding sun is good for them just not directly and not for prolonged periods lol but i don' thnk you meant it that way it just sounded funny :)

Nichole - posted on 06/26/2009

Quoting Jennifer:

Babies can't be in the sun. If you are going to bring your 4 month old to the beach make sure you can provide shade. Also, babies can't have sunscreen on them until they are 6 months old just a heads up! I hope this helps you!

I have a baby dome for him...I was just worried about the heat. Thank you!!

Nichole - posted on 06/26/2009

Quoting User:

Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!~~PLEASE do not "lather up" your four month old baby with "lots of sunscreen"!!!! It is not safe on babies younger than six months!!!!!!!

"There are two very important reasons for not overusing sunscreen in young babies:


Infants and children have what is called a high body surface to volume ratio. What this means is that proportionately babies have more skin for the size body as compared to an adult. Sunscreens are made of chemicals. On the older child and adult, the chemical exposure is relatively minimal because the body surface ratio is smaller than a baby. Therefore, babies get a higher "dose" of sunscreen than do those older. While this exposure would most likely not cause any problems, the likelihood of an adverse reaction is greater.

Babies have a mildly impaired mechanism to keep cool by sweating. In addition, they have a greater risk of becoming dehydrated due to heat. Sunscreen can somewhat impair effective cooling by perspiration, so placing too much of it on an infant could be detrimental."

Oh no!!!! I have put Aveeno baby on him, is that ok? He seemed to be fine with it. I didn't drench him in it but I put some on his legs and arms and face before.

Jennifer - posted on 06/26/2009

Babies can't be in the sun. If you are going to bring your 4 month old to the beach make sure you can provide shade. Also, babies can't have sunscreen on them until they are 6 months old just a heads up! I hope this helps you!

Nichole - posted on 06/26/2009

Thanks everyone...This has helped. It is actually in the 70's so its not too hot....I will taking him soon. :)

Deirdre - posted on 06/26/2009

Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!~~PLEASE do not "lather up" your four month old baby with "lots of sunscreen"!!!! It is not safe on babies younger than six months!!!!!!!



"There are two very important reasons for not overusing sunscreen in young babies:





Infants and children have what is called a high body surface to volume ratio. What this means is that proportionately babies have more skin for the size body as compared to an adult. Sunscreens are made of chemicals. On the older child and adult, the chemical exposure is relatively minimal because the body surface ratio is smaller than a baby. Therefore, babies get a higher "dose" of sunscreen than do those older. While this exposure would most likely not cause any problems, the likelihood of an adverse reaction is greater.



Babies have a mildly impaired mechanism to keep cool by sweating. In addition, they have a greater risk of becoming dehydrated due to heat. Sunscreen can somewhat impair effective cooling by perspiration, so placing too much of it on an infant could be detrimental."

Brandi - posted on 06/26/2009

We live on the beach as well, and we go a lot, actually. We practically live on the beach! :)



I've found that when baby gets tired, he or she will fall asleep quite easily on a blanket. Just make sure that he/she is under a tent or awning type cover to keep the sun from beating down directly on him/her. I also pack a lot of Crystal Light to keep them hydrated and take them down to the edge of the water (I go in with my son... he's wearing a life jacket, of course!) to keep them cool and just wing it. I honestly don't think there is any time restraint on taking a baby to the beach as long as you keep them cool and comfortable.



Have fun! We're going again this afternoon when the Hubby comes home from work! :)

Lisa - posted on 06/26/2009

I don't think there is an exact. I think as long as you keep applying sunscreen and keeping your baby hydrated, and in the shade every so often you should be fine. I agree bring something for him to lay in otherwise..... you'll be picking sand outta his diaper for a week. Ha!

Jackie - posted on 06/26/2009

I would say maybe an hour or so. You don't want him to get too hot or get bit by bugs or anything. I would definitely bring something for him to sit on, like a seat or pac-n-play, I'm a freak and there are just too many bugs in the sand. Plus lots of sunscreen and an umbrella for shade. I bought my kids a sun hat and infant sunglasses from walmart. They loved them.

Melissa - posted on 06/26/2009

It is hard to say, how hot exactly is it? In most cases you can just lather the boy up in sunscreen, keep him in very cool light clothing, or just a diaper, and find him some shade every now and then. Even if it is just you standing over him for a minute, it will give him shade. The biggest thing is the sunscreen, put that on him, and make sure to keep reapplying it. Oh yeah, bring something for him to sleep in, if it is really warm he will most likely fall asleep a little earlier than his usual nap time.