Gentler Than Regular Sunscreen

Unlike the sunscreen that adults use, baby sunscreen is much gentler and does not contain any chemicals.  The latest baby sunscreens are now zinc-only since zinc is naturally in our bodies and is therefore safe to apply.

Great For Preventing Sunburns

If you are concerned about sunburns reaching your baby, yet don't want to use regular sunscreen, baby sunscreen is a great choice.  Not only is it chemical-free and much gentler, but it also blocks out the sun just as effectively as adult sunscreen.

Many Different Types

Some people may be mistaken and think that there is only one type of sunscreen.  But this is not true.  There are many different types of sunscreens, and all of them serve a different purpose.

Before we go into the actual types of baby sunscreen, let's first take a look at the forms that baby sunscreens come in.

Lotion

The most popular type of baby sunscreen comes in a lotion.  This type gets rubbed in on the skin.  This sunscreen is the best type for sun protection since you can rub in as much as you want.

Sprays

Sunscreen sprays can work well for those who don't have time to rub the sunscreen onto their baby.  Keep in mind that baby sunscreen spray can be dangerous to inhale.  Therefore you would need to instruct your child to hold his breath while you spray it on.  Because babies can't hold their breath, you should wait to use this type of sunscreen until your baby is much older.

Mousse

This type of sunscreen is like a blend between lotion and spray.  It comes out much as a spray sunscreen does, but it needs to be rubbed in.

When it comes to which baby sunscreen you should use, there is no right and wrong.  If your baby has sensitive skin, you may want to go with a natural sunscreen for babies or organic baby sunscreen.  That said, studies and research have shown that the best sunscreen for babies is the Broad Spectrum sunscreen.

Broad Spectrum

Broad Spectrum baby sunscreens protect against UVA and UVB rays.  This type of sunscreen is a great option because both types of rays can be very dangerous and can lead to skin cancer.

Natural

Natural baby sunscreen does not contain harmful chemicals, and a lot of natural sunscreens are organic.  This type of sunscreen is great for babies with sensitive skin but can be used with any child.

Water Resistant

If you are going to the beach or pool, a water-resistant sunscreen may be a good option.  Even if your baby isn't near water, he may still sweat and need this type of sunscreen.

Sunblock

Sunblock is made of minerals and is considered healthier than sunscreen since it does not contain chemicals.  Rather than blocking out most sun rays as sunscreen does, sunblock will redirect the rays.  This type of sun protection is an excellent option for those who want to go more natural and be healthier.

The way you apply sunscreen to a baby is similar to kids sunscreen and adult sunscreen.  But because your baby is smaller, you won't need to apply as much baby sunscreen.  Make sure to apply some sunscreen on your baby's head, especially if your baby doesn't have hair yet.  Also, make sure you reapply the sunscreen every two hours.

Many people wonder when you can put sunscreen on a baby.  It is recommended by doctors not to apply sunscreen to your child until they are at least 6 months old.  However, some people have used sunscreen anyways and their baby was fine.  Although there is no infant sunscreen, you can buy sunscreen that is more gentle for young babies.  One of the best sunscreen for babies under 6 months is the Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen.  Customers who have bought it say it works great for young babies, and can act as an infant sunscreen.

Stay In the Shade

If your baby will be outside, try finding him or her a shady spot.  When your baby is in the shade, your baby will most likely be much cooler.  It is important to keep your baby cool, because a baby doesn’t have the ability to regulate temperature like an adult, and the area of the brain that does this will not mature until age five.  So until your baby is older, you must keep him cool by having him sit in the shade on hot days.

Wear Sunglasses and Protective Clothing

Sunglasses can prevent the sun from damaging your baby's eyes from the harsh rays of the sun.  Protective clothing can help protect your baby's skin.  It is vital that your baby is dressed properly so that he doesn't get a sunburn.

Stay Hydrated

Throughout the day, you will want to hydrate your baby.  If you are breastfeeding, you won't need to offer water since your breast milk will naturally become more watery during the heat.  But if you are bottle feeding, you will need to provide water for your baby.  Remember to give little sips to your child throughout the day, instead of offering large amounts of water just a couple of times.

If your baby has eczema, you will want to be more careful when applying sunscreen.  You may also want to buy a specific type or brand of sunscreen that works well for children with eczema.  One such baby sunscreen is the Aveeno Baby Sunscreen.  It is known to work well for those with sensitive skin.  Here are some other tips to follow and try:

• Avoid sunscreen with fragrances, as this can cause irritation.
• Apply emollient 30 minutes before applying sunscreen, so that the sun won't dry out the sunscreen.
• Avoid buying sunscreen that is thick and oily, as this can irritate.
• Try to avoid applying sunscreen where it could get mixed with the sand.  If sand sticks to your child's skin, it can be very painful.
• Watch your baby to make sure he doesn't react to the sunscreen.  If at any point the sunscreen seems to hurt your child, try going with a different brand or type.

If your baby will be near the water or will be sweating on a hot day, waterproof sunscreen may be a good choice.  Keep in mind that waterproof sunscreen is not completely waterproof.  In fact, the word "waterproof" is no longer allowed to be used on sunscreen products.  Instead, they are called water resistant.  This is because you will probably need to reapply it after your baby gets out of the water.  If you are wanting the best waterproof sunscreen, you may want to try Banana Boat Baby Sunscreen.  The Banana Boat Baby Sunscreen is water-resistant and may work well.  Another baby sunscreen that is water-resistant is the Coppertone Baby Sunscreen.

If you will be taking your baby out in the sun, you will want to dress him properly.  Besides wearing sunscreen, here are some other accessories to have on hand:

• Sunglasses
• Sunhat
• Lightweight clothes
• Lightweight blanket

You may be wondering what the difference is between sunscreen and sunblock.  Both types prevent harmful sun rays from sunburning you, but there is indeed a difference.  Sunscreen is made of smaller particles that absorb into the skin, and will keep most rays out.  However, sunscreen does allow some rays to come in.  Sunblock, on the other hand, is usually made of minerals that block all rays and redirect the rays so that they don't damage your baby's skin.

Studies and research have shown that sunblock may be healthier than sunscreen since it doesn't contain all those chemicals. But since baby sunscreen does not contain those chemicals either, both types are just as safe.  If you want to buy baby sunblock, one of the best sunblocks for babies is the Neutrogena Baby Sunscreen.  Although it is called a sunscreen, it is mineral based and healthier than most sunscreens.

If your child has sensitive skin, or if you want to avoid chemicals found in regular baby sunscreens, natural sunscreen for babies is a good choice.  A lot of the chemicals found in baby sunscreen can be harmful to your baby and may hurt your baby's skin.  By applying a natural sunscreen to your baby as an alternative, your baby's skin and health will not be at risk.  Natural sunscreen is considered the safest sunscreen for babies, besides some natural baby sunscreens are organic, which a lot of people like.

Besides sunscreen, you may want to have your baby wear sun protective clothing.  This means that the clothing will block out the sun's rays.  Here are some of the best sun protective clothing to check out.

• This one piece swimsuit is a great option since it allows your baby to play in the water as well as block out harmful rays.  The sleeves are long so that your child's arms don't get sun burnt.
• The UV Sun Protective Baby Girls Swimsuit is made for baby girls and comes with a sun hat.  Once again, this is a swimsuit, which makes it great for those days at the beach or pool.
• Do you want a sun hat that is sun protective? It may be best to invest in a sunhat or a hat that blocks out UV rays.