Sunscreen on babies

Spring is here and summer is coming up fast here in Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes. With summer comes nice weather and outdoor fun with our children. With lakes and playgrounds and fairs, there is much to do outdoors.

Going outdoors is so good for our children. They get needed exercise and the sun provides needed vitamin D. However, the risk of sunburn on infant and young children's skin is high. It is believed that the the risk of skin cancer rises for people who have had two or more blistering sunburns before adulthood. Parents need to be aware of the risk and take precautions.

Avoid sunburn:

1. Apply sunscreen

2. Wear light, but long clothing

3. Put on a hat with a wide brim

4. Use sunglasses

Any parent who picks up a bottle of sunscreen is warned not to apply on a baby under 6 months old. The American Academy of Pediatricians has released information that it is alright to use on babies under 6 months in moderation. Their skin to weight ratio is great, increasing the amount of chemicals absorbed in their system, so it is best to limit the amount used. Their sensitive skin is also more prone to having a reaction to the chemicals.

Read more at Sunscreen on babies on my column.