We finally seem to be reaching a point in society where the bulk of parents believe in smearing their kids with sunblock to protect them from skin cancer. So it's time to move on to the next sunny stumbling block for moms and dads. Babies and sunscreen.
It seems the debate over skin cancer and kids has gotten so loud that the FDA is concerned parents are missing some crucial information. Namely, they're not sure exactly when the whole "sunscreen" thing is supposed to start with their kiddos. Pop quiz: would you put sunscreen on an infant?
You shouldn't be doing it!
But with the FDA putting out a major consumer warning about babies and sunscreen this month, advising moms and dads to leave the sunscreen off the skin of babies 6 months and younger, it sounds like parents are!
More from The Stir: 7 Biggest Lies About Sunscreen
The FDA says if you absolutely must take a young baby into the sun (of course the shade and covering up with lightweight clothing is optimal just like it is with bigger kids), it turns out you have to test their sensitivity to the stuff first. Really, considering all the creepy chemicals that could show up in sunscreen, are you terribly surprised that little bitty bodies could have an allergic reaction to the stuff. Me neither. But hey, I get where parents are coming from.
The skin cancer statistics are terrifying. In 2008 alone (the most recent year from which the CDC offers up stats), 59,695 people in the United States were diagnosed with melanomas of the skin. That makes it the most common form of cancer in the country. And no one wants their baby to join those ranks. But if you're slathering the stuff on, thinking "better safe than sorry," stop! Now!
Enjoy these six months. You have plenty of time ahead of you to smear white stuff on a wriggling, eager to go play kid. That's when the "real" fun starts.
Did you realize you weren't supposed to put sunscreen on your infant? What have you been doing with baby this summer?
Image via Joe Shlabotnik/Flickr
Ashley Is a Widow Who Stays Strong...
This Hot Dad Wants to Vacuum Your Rug
This Hot Dad Wants to Do Your Ironing
KStew Refuses to Shower
Comments 23
Sunscreen doesn't have to contain all of the oxybenzone and whatever-benzone in it. Those are the chemicals. Titanium dioxide and/or zinc are not chemicals and are considered natural. If Americans would buy more products with these ingredients instead of the other crap, they would be easier to find. As of now, there are very few natural sunscreens on the shelves of Target and almost none at pharmacies. Of course, there are enough to choose from online. In Germany, I looked at every sunscreen on the shelves and the only ones I found with oxybenzone were the brands carried in the US. None of the other european-specific brands had these chemicals. Our country is full of guinea pigs. And how hard is it to keep your child in the shade until 6 months? I live in sunny Florida - all year round - and managed this.
My son was born in March and we didn't use sunscreen til he was about 14 months, he sat in the sun for 20-30 mins a day (not at midday or anything) to get his daily dose of vit D then stayed in the shade or with a hat and UV protective clothing on. When we finally used sunscreen we used an organic physical sunscreen and not a chemical one, it's actually the chemicals in sunscreen that cause skin cancer as they soak up the sun then break down the UV rays which causes free redicals to be made, causing skin cancer. I'd much prefer my son to get slighlty burnt than to ever use chemical sunscreen on him, and the same for me and husband too! We only ever use phsical block.
You can use chemical free sunscreens on infants. with brands like Burts Bees. actually even adults shouldn't be using sunscreen with harmful chemicals. The FDA even says on their website that 588 sunscreens on the market currently have cancer causing ingredients :-/
Well One of my sons was a Winter baby so that was easy to keep him out of the sun. My other son was a Spring baby. When we did go to the pool, river, and beach. He was in the stroller shaded and Had protective hat, sunglasses, and clothing! My kids are 19 months and 4 yr old. No sun burns at all.
Aveeno is Awful! Johnsons & Johnsons as well! I will never use either on anyone in my family!