Have you ever tried to nail Jell-O to the wall? That's what it's like trying to apply sunscreen to my wiggly little pickle. You'd think from the shrieks and wails coming from our house that I'm subjecting her to turture. In reality I'm just trying to preserve Katen's lily white skin. That doesn't impress her though.
For you sun babies out there, the EWG recently published a report rating the safety and effectiveness of sunscreen. You can use this link to see if your sunscreen measures up. (Or to pick out a new one!)
We use California Baby sunscreen which seems to be a winner. Whew!
I also learned that babies don’t sweat in the way that adults do, so you shouldn't slather thick layers of sunscreen on them. (Oops! who knew? Maybe that's what Katen was trying to tell me.) The recommendation is to use a broad spectrum sunscreen and an SPF of 45 or higher. It's also recommended to avoid PABA containing products. In reading the findings, the thing that worries me most is that the FDA actually hasn't set standards on sunscreen and there are a few major brands who make sunscreen that can absorb into the baby's blood and raise toxicity levels or act like estrogen when broken down by the sun and cause hormonal imbalances. Double yikes!
Seriously. If it's not one thing, it's another. Be sure to check out your sunscreen, I guess. ...and your bottles, and the wipes you use. Oh and the containers that hold those items, and... You get the idea.
I hate to make light of a serious topic but honestly what can you buy off the shelf without reseraching its safety?
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Parenting is crazy, isnt' it!? Join us for the fun and challenges of raising our little ones. Aka "Pickles."
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