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Should I Use Sunscreen On My 4 Month Old Baby?

It’s the end of May, weather predications are calling for sunshine, and many families are planning a variety of outings and spending time fixing up their yards and gardens. In addition to kicking off the start of summer, the end of May is also the end of Skin Cancer Awareness Month. We constantly hear campaigns and public service announcements urging people to avoid tanning booths and diligently use sunscreen, reiterating the importance of using broad spectrum SPF sunscreens to protect the skin from the dangers of sun exposure, which include the risk of skin cancer and premature aging of the skin.

  While it’s essential to use sunscreen on babies that are 6 months of age and older, what many public service announcements don’t mention is that sunscreen products shouldn’t be used on babies under 6 months age. The premature skin of young babies reacts differently to sunscreen products, which tend to have a deep penetration of high concentrations of the chemicals in sunscreen. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), AmericanAcademy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Cancer Society all agree that other forms of sun protection should be used for babies under 6 months of age, suggesting the following alternatives be used:   Sun Protection for Babies Under 6 Years of Age: -Keeping babies less than 6 months of age in the shade as much as possible -Avoiding sun exposure from 10am - 2pm, when the sun is the most intense -Dressing them in protective clothing -Putting a brimmed hat and sunglasses on them (although it might be a fight to get them to keep them on) -Protecting their neck and ears, which are extra sensitive to the effects of sun exposure   Remember that, like the Mayo Clinic says, it only takes a couple of sunburns to increase your baby’s risks for skin cancer later on in life. While you might enjoy sitting out in the hot sun this summer, your baby’s skin won’t. Make sure you take steps to protect their skin. Keep babies less than 6 months old covered up and shaded and use a sunscreen designed for the delicate skin of babies for those over 6 months of age, like the Aveeno Baby Sunblock SPF 50 Stick, which is made with 100% naturally sourced ingredients and provides superior UVA and UVB protection for up to 80 minutes. Plus, its oil-free, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic formula is water resistant and won’t irritate your little one’s delicate skin.   Mountainside Medical Equipment offers a comprehensive line of skin care products, with sunscreen products for the whole family. Browse through today to get the best products for providing your family with superior skin care and sun protection.   Sources: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm309136.htm http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/baby-sunscreen/faq-20058159 http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/children/infants
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