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Now that summertime is here with all of its related outdoor events, parents of infants face the dilemma of how to enjoy being outdoors without allowing the baby to get sunburned. Until 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advised against the use of sunscreen in babies under six months old. Since then, the AAP has revised that recommendation. It now states that small amounts of SPF 15 or higher sunscreen can be applied to areas that cannot be covered with lightweight clothing, such as the backs of the hands and the face. However, this use should still be minimal. The use of sunscreen in babies under the age of six months has not been well-studied, but it is believed that the benefits of avoiding sunburn outweigh the risks of sunscreen.
Be aware that sunscreen contains chemicals that can block perspiration, possibly contributing to dehydration in an infant. Also, the effects of the chemicals in sunscreen can be harmful. Avoid sunscreens with para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) - it causes red, itchy skin in forty percent of the population. Stay away from benzephenones like dioxybenzone, oxybenzone, or sulisobenzone, and homosalate, octy-methoxycinnamate (octinoxate), and parabens (butyl-, ethyl-, methyl-, and propyl-). In tests, these chemicals produce estrogen-like effects, affecting the development of the brain and reproductive organs in lab rats. Two others to steer clear of are Padimate-O and Parsol 1789 (2-ethylhexyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoic acid and avobenzone), which in lab tests have been known to damage DNA.
Try to use one of the many children's sunscreens on the market. These use ingredients less likely to irritate the skin, like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Unlike chemical ingredients, these protect babies' skin without being absorbed, which avoids the possibility of unwanted side effects. Whenever using sunscreen, make sure to test a small amount on a small area of skin to check for any allergic reactions.
The best methods of keeping your baby safe in the sun, however, do not include sunscreen at all. In fact, my pediatrician's office still advocates not using sunscreen for my one-month-old infant. So what is a summer-loving parent to do? Here are some tips to help keep your child safe in the sun.
• Keep your child in the shade as much as possible. Use the hood on your stroller, an umbrella, or a good shade tree. A wagon with a canopy is also a good option.
• Try to limit time outdoors to thirty minutes at a time. This will also help keep your child from becoming overheated or dehydrated.
• Dress your child in loose, lightweight long pants and long sleeves.
• Make sure your child wears a hat - preferably one with a brim that shades the face and neck.
Sometimes, however, even with the best of intentions, a baby does become sunburned. Usually, this is light and can be relieved with the use of cold compresses. If the burn is severe, however, it will require medical attention, so be sure to contact your pediatrician if your baby becomes sunburned.
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