Sunscreen?

As we move into the warmer months, I'm wondering if people actually put sunscreen on their kids every time they go outside? I would think that at this age, kids are in and out all day, so how often do you reapply? Do your kids wear sunglasses and hats every time they go outside too?

Thanks!

 

I do sunscreen if we are going to be outside for more than the time it takes to get to the car, like store trips, or house visits. If we go watch their sisters play sports, to the park or pool, or for a walk I apply. My kids are all very pale, and have light blonde hair, so the sunscreen goes on their head as well. I don't bother with hats because they won't leave them on... same with sunglasses. I keep packets of sunscreen in the diaper bag in case we are out longer than I expected so I can throw a little extra on. Again... we're very pale people! The burn comes easily!
Helen

 

We do sunscreen anytime we are playing outside (backyard, park, etc.). They also wear hats most of the time too. They don't like sunglasses.

 

We put sunscreen on every time we go outside to actually spend time outside. I know I should reapply but I often don't, unless we're out all day long. We live in Colorado and the sun is really strong here. We also put it on before daycare every morning, and the teachers reapply it before they go outside in the afternoon.

I don't put it on if we're just getting in the car to go somewhere indoors.

Mine also wear hats nearly all the time. Fortunately daycare is very strict about this, so they are well trained. The kids actually get anxious if I try to take them outside without their hats.

FYI, you can get a large bottle of Blue Lizard sunscreen (a very highly recommended brand for kids -- it has a physical blocker rather than a chemical one) at drugstore.com for a lot less than I've found it anywhere else.

 

I don't always put sunscreen on, but I've been fooled by the weather before. They've gotten sunburns on cloudy days when we weren't even out that long! I wouldn't go too crazy with it, since I'm not sure how good the sunscreen is for you, either.......plus, they need Vit D.......our weather hasn't gotten nice enough yet to worry, but I do plan on getting some big sunhats. They don't mind most hats right now, which is great!

 

I'm fairly obsessive about sunscreen, hats, etc. b/c I am so fair and burn so easily. If we are outside between 10 am and 2 pm for more than 10 minutes sunscreen and hats are an absolute must. I buy the spray on sunscreen to make it easier to reapply. Mine are also conditioned to wear their hats and know that if they take them off that they don't get to play outside. I will usually continue to reapply sunscreen in the summer until 4pm or so. Any time we are in the pool or near water before 4 pm it is also a must. They also wear those little rash guard shirts and hats in the pool.

 

Okay, bad mommy alert...I haven't been doing this. I know I should, but I honestly have not been. We were outside almost all of this weekend. Oops.

For those who do apply: Do you normally use the lotion or the spray on kind?

I am thoroughly impressed that you ladies find time to put sunscreen on them. My guys are crying when they are getting dressed (in a big hurry to get outside) and it's all I can do just to get clothes and shoes on them.

I will try harder though!!! I try to keep them inside during the hottest part of the day (10am to 2-3pm) but sometimes that's not possible.

Shannon

 

Since early childhood sun exposure is thought to be a cause of melanoma - the deadliest skin cancer - we do go crazy with sunscreen. My girls have sunscreen on every day that's not raining to protect them. As a PP mentioned, the deadly rays can come through even on cloudy days. The incidence of melanoma is increasing faster than any other kind of cancer.

I find that the lotion is the easiest to put on. When they were babies I made it a massage, now they like to help me put it on (with mommy making sure everything gets coverage). When I find a sale I sunscreen, I buy a ton because we use so much.

Best,
Mia

 

i'm a little obsessed about this too - and my kids have dark skin (dh is black) - as soon as the weather gets nice i put sunscreen on them every morning - all exposed areas (so if they will be in t shirts and jeans i will cover face, ears, neck and arms) and then they get covered again before they go outside AND they wear hats (which they like). i don't reapply during an outing to the park, but will at the beach or the pool. if they go out in the am, then again in the pm, i will coat them again. yes, i'm anal about it!

oh - and i ONLY use blue lizard.

 

QUOTE(Mia D @ Mar 26 2008, 04:06 PM) [snapback]688162[/snapback]
Since early childhood sun exposure is thought to be a cause of melanoma - the deadliest skin cancer - we do go crazy with sunscreen. My girls have sunscreen on every day that's not raining to protect them. As a PP mentioned, the deadly rays can come through even on cloudy days. The incidence of melanoma is increasing faster than any other kind of cancer.

I find that the lotion is the easiest to put on. When they were babies I made it a massage, now they like to help me put it on (with mommy making sure everything gets coverage). When I find a sale I sunscreen, I buy a ton because we use so much.

Best,
Mia



As a melanoma survivor, I too go nuts with sunscreen & hats too. I am light skinned, blue eyes, blonde hair and so are the kids. We ALWAYS apply sunscreen prior to going out and reapply as well. The kids wear hats too- if they take them off they know we go inside- it's a rule. I don't ever want them to go through what I did, not when it can be prevented on my part. I use lotion on their bodies and a sunscreen stick on their faces and ears. I think it's easier to apply.

 

I wanted to suggest a website to everyone for good summer sun gear (great shirts, hats, etc. for the pool and playing outside). It's www.coolibar.com. It's a little pricey, but the quality is great and I think they are the only company recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. It's all made in the USA too - I think it's in Minnesota. HTH