So if you followed this blog at all you know I'm crazy about the sun and protecting yourself from it. Well I am even more crazy about protecting my child. At the end of this blog post I will give you some facts that will hopefully make you become crazy about protecting your child from the sun too. But the one that really stuck with me was that someone's risk for melanoma can double if they have had more than 5 sunburns at any age. That is such a scary fact because I know I have had well over 5 sunburns in my life. So I know Leo won't always be as strict about his sunblock, shade, and sun wear, but while I am in control you better believe he will be covered from head to toe!
1. Sunblock
Obviously the most important thing we can do for our child in protecting them from the sun. A few things to look for when choosing a sun block, make sure it's water and sweat proof but remember that only means it'll last for 80 minutes MAXIMUM! So be ready to apply every 1-2 hours to be safe. Use at least 30 SPF and one that provide broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection. If your child has sensitive skin look for a sunblock that has zinc oxide. Those type of sunscreens can be less irritating than the ones containing avobenzone, a common sunscreen ingredient. Remember the sun is most powerful from 10AM-2PM so if you are outside try to seek out shade.
Here are the 2 brands of sunscreen we are using
Think Baby Sunblock- We love think baby sunblock for a lot of reasons. Leo has the most sensitive skin (like his mama) so I try and get chemical free sunblocks. This one is free of biologically chemicals, it has the highest level of broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, highest level of water resistance (80 minutes). The active ingredient is 20% zinc oxide. I also love it doesn't smell weird and that you can really see it when it goes on to make sure he is fully covered. But it blends in nicely.
Aveeno baby Sensitive Skin Zinc Oxide Sunscreen- This is 100% Zinco Oxide. It is a mineral sunscreen that is mild on your baby's skin. This is an effective mineral sunscreen lotion that is as mild as water on your baby’s skin. It to provides superior broad spectrum protection from UVA/UVB rays and is water resistant for 80 minutes.
I get both of these products off of amazon. You can pick Aveeno baby up at your local Walgreens or grocery store.
Obviously the most important thing we can do for our child in protecting them from the sun. A few things to look for when choosing a sun block, make sure it's water and sweat proof but remember that only means it'll last for 80 minutes MAXIMUM! So be ready to apply every 1-2 hours to be safe. Use at least 30 SPF and one that provide broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection. If your child has sensitive skin look for a sunblock that has zinc oxide. Those type of sunscreens can be less irritating than the ones containing avobenzone, a common sunscreen ingredient. Remember the sun is most powerful from 10AM-2PM so if you are outside try to seek out shade.
Here are the 2 brands of sunscreen we are using
Think Baby Sunblock- We love think baby sunblock for a lot of reasons. Leo has the most sensitive skin (like his mama) so I try and get chemical free sunblocks. This one is free of biologically chemicals, it has the highest level of broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, highest level of water resistance (80 minutes). The active ingredient is 20% zinc oxide. I also love it doesn't smell weird and that you can really see it when it goes on to make sure he is fully covered. But it blends in nicely.
Aveeno baby Sensitive Skin Zinc Oxide Sunscreen- This is 100% Zinco Oxide. It is a mineral sunscreen that is mild on your baby's skin. This is an effective mineral sunscreen lotion that is as mild as water on your baby’s skin. It to provides superior broad spectrum protection from UVA/UVB rays and is water resistant for 80 minutes.
I get both of these products off of amazon. You can pick Aveeno baby up at your local Walgreens or grocery store.
2. Hats
I am super lucky that Leo will keep his hat on ALL DAY long. We first started with baseball caps and when I realized he would wear hats all day I decided to take our hat game to the next level and make him look like the dorkiest kid on the playground. But hey if you saw the visor I rock when I'm outside with him we both look like idiots but I'm totally ok with it.
Sunday Afternoons Child Unisex Play Hat
This hat is the best, it has a bigger bill on it so it covers the entire face, covers his ears, and the back of his neck. It has a UPF 50+ certified sun rating it is water repellent and stain resistant, and it is a great weight. Super breathable and he doesn't get too hot it in. We are HUGE fans of this hat. It so funny cause Leo knows he has to have a hat to go outside, in the mornings he runs to the basket where I store all of this stuff, grabs the hat, puts it on, and starts banging on the sliding glass door saying "outside, outside, outside"! Very proud mama moment right here! I found this hat on amazon and you can get the link in title of the hat.
I am super lucky that Leo will keep his hat on ALL DAY long. We first started with baseball caps and when I realized he would wear hats all day I decided to take our hat game to the next level and make him look like the dorkiest kid on the playground. But hey if you saw the visor I rock when I'm outside with him we both look like idiots but I'm totally ok with it.
Sunday Afternoons Child Unisex Play Hat
This hat is the best, it has a bigger bill on it so it covers the entire face, covers his ears, and the back of his neck. It has a UPF 50+ certified sun rating it is water repellent and stain resistant, and it is a great weight. Super breathable and he doesn't get too hot it in. We are HUGE fans of this hat. It so funny cause Leo knows he has to have a hat to go outside, in the mornings he runs to the basket where I store all of this stuff, grabs the hat, puts it on, and starts banging on the sliding glass door saying "outside, outside, outside"! Very proud mama moment right here! I found this hat on amazon and you can get the link in title of the hat.
Home Prefer Kids Lightweight Quick Drying Sun Hat Airy Mesh UV Protection Caps
This is also a great hat, it is a lot more lightweight and is the perfect hat for swimming or playing in the water. My child has a huge head so they say this hat is supposed to fit 3 year olds and above, but it has an adjustable strap on the back so it would probably fit younger kids. I love weight of his hat, it is as light as a feather. It drys so fast and is UPF 50+ to block out 98% of harmful UVA and UVB rays. The best part is that it is only $11. The perfect price for a kids hat.
This is also a great hat, it is a lot more lightweight and is the perfect hat for swimming or playing in the water. My child has a huge head so they say this hat is supposed to fit 3 year olds and above, but it has an adjustable strap on the back so it would probably fit younger kids. I love weight of his hat, it is as light as a feather. It drys so fast and is UPF 50+ to block out 98% of harmful UVA and UVB rays. The best part is that it is only $11. The perfect price for a kids hat.
3. Sun Wear Clothing
Swim Shirts
SWEAR BY THEM, especially the long sleeve ones. I put on Leo when we go outside most days. We have 3 or 4 and I am constantly washing them so he has a new one everyday. I love that they are lightweight and UPF 50+ so they are great for blocking out the sun rays. I also try and get shorts that have this same feature. We got this cute little outfit at Carter's so you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to keep your kid protected. They them sell them everywhere and they are very inexpensive so just keep an eye out. This is also a great option if you aren't good at remembering to reapply sunblock every hour. But I still put sunblock on him before we put the shirt on.
Swim Shirts
SWEAR BY THEM, especially the long sleeve ones. I put on Leo when we go outside most days. We have 3 or 4 and I am constantly washing them so he has a new one everyday. I love that they are lightweight and UPF 50+ so they are great for blocking out the sun rays. I also try and get shorts that have this same feature. We got this cute little outfit at Carter's so you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to keep your kid protected. They them sell them everywhere and they are very inexpensive so just keep an eye out. This is also a great option if you aren't good at remembering to reapply sunblock every hour. But I still put sunblock on him before we put the shirt on.
Native Shoes
I saw these are Nordstrom first and got the wrong size so I turned to amazon and found a way bigger color selection. I call these fancy crocks. They are a mix of a cute sneaker with a design of a crock. They are perfect for the water or just running around outside. We are closed toe shoe people at our household because this child is into everything outside and this one insures that it keeps his little toes safe.
I saw these are Nordstrom first and got the wrong size so I turned to amazon and found a way bigger color selection. I call these fancy crocks. They are a mix of a cute sneaker with a design of a crock. They are perfect for the water or just running around outside. We are closed toe shoe people at our household because this child is into everything outside and this one insures that it keeps his little toes safe.
CIOR Kids Mesh Water Shoes-
I found these online for like $14 we wanted water shoe and settled on these. They are PERFECT and the easiest to put on. We probably wear these the most right now. If you look on amazon you will see a few different styles. The brand is called CIOR so just put it into amazon and you will see an array of options.
I found these online for like $14 we wanted water shoe and settled on these. They are PERFECT and the easiest to put on. We probably wear these the most right now. If you look on amazon you will see a few different styles. The brand is called CIOR so just put it into amazon and you will see an array of options.
4. Stainless Thermos
With the HOT HOT HOT Tri- City heat these are necessary. We love this little one we picked up at target and we tote it around in the diaper bag all day long and his water stays nice and cool!
With the HOT HOT HOT Tri- City heat these are necessary. We love this little one we picked up at target and we tote it around in the diaper bag all day long and his water stays nice and cool!
5. Other BORING But Good Information
I gathered a bunch of data for you and threw it all together.....
Child Skin Cancer Facts & Risk Factors
The figures below from the American Academy of Dermatology are not meant to scare parents. They are more to inform and help any parent understand the importance of early sun protection for their children.
A lot of other questions people have is when can we start using sunscreen on babies.... Here is what I found.
Infants 0-6 months
For more info check out skincancer.org
So that is my soapbox passion project post for the year. If you have any more questions for me please feel free to ask away!
Cheers,
Jess
I gathered a bunch of data for you and threw it all together.....
Child Skin Cancer Facts & Risk Factors
The figures below from the American Academy of Dermatology are not meant to scare parents. They are more to inform and help any parent understand the importance of early sun protection for their children.
- Melanoma accounts for approximately 7% of all cancers diagnosed in 15 to 19 year olds
- Melanoma is the second most common form of cancer for young adults 15-29 years old
- A person’s risk for melanoma can double if they have had more than 5 sunburns at any age
- Unprotected sun exposure is even more dangerous for kids who have moles, freckles, very fair skin and light hair, or a history of skin cancer
- Approximately 40-60% of sun exposure occurs before age 20. The more exposure to the sun, the greater the chances for getting skin cancer
- Infants 0 - 6 MonthsThe recommendation by the FDA and Skin Cancer Foundation is to keep them out of the sun. According to Hari Cheryl Sachs, M.D., a pediatrician at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
A lot of other questions people have is when can we start using sunscreen on babies.... Here is what I found.
Infants 0-6 months
- Infants under 6 months of age should be kept out of the sun. Their skin is too sensitive for sunscreen. An infant's skin possesses little melanin, the pigment that gives color to skin, hair and eyes and provides some sun protection. Therefore, babies are especially susceptible to the sun's damaging effect
- The Skin Cancer Foundation says its safe for babies this age to use sunscreen. Our recommendation is to use a mineral sunblock like the ones I talked about above to avoid chemicals as much as possible. The Environmental Working Group has expressed concerns over the use of chemical sunscreens. Babies even at six months likely still have more sensitive skin. If you want to be ultra careful, some dermatologists say zinc oxide is the safest mineral sunscreen active ingredient.
- It's safe for them to use any type of sunscreen, but we would recommend using a mineral sunblock, why expose your child to chemicals if you don't have to, there are no real restrictions. As kids get older they get more active and they want to play outside longer so remember to apply sunscreen on them often.
For more info check out skincancer.org
So that is my soapbox passion project post for the year. If you have any more questions for me please feel free to ask away!
Cheers,
Jess
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