Sunscreen?

[Lee-Bee]

When do you all start applying sunscreen on your kids? Seems like a stupid question but I have been having the children dress in thin long sleeve tops and long pants with a hat to avoid the sun. We only make it out once a day right now, around 4pm till closing/home time. I figure with it being after peak sun time and being covered I am okay to continue for awhile?

Also, I've noticed we have a good number of mosquitoes out back. What do you do when they are bad? Do you stay in? Just let the kids get bitten? I don't want to use bug spray since my group is so young but they are slow moving and seem like perfect targets for the mosquitoes!

[5 Little Monkeys]

Sunscreen should be used year round but I'm guilty of slacking off! I will start using it this week as I think we are finally in for some sunny hot days!!

I don't use bug spray either but last year I made a homemade repellent of tea tree oil, water and mouthwash. I found it was effective for the amount of Mosquitos in my yard. I took it camping too and sprayed it a lot and others seemed to think it worked too.

If they were really bad, yes I would stay in. I also try to stay in between 11am-4pm but will sometimes have pm snack outside at 330 and stay out till noon if we are at the splash park or if it's not too hot in the yard.

[Momof4]

I rarely use sunscreen on my dckids because we go outside from about 9:30-11:30 every morning so we miss the harmful UV rays. I don't take them out in the afternoon, they freeplay inside after snacktime because it's only about 1/2 an hour or less until the parents start to arrive. I've never had a child with a sunburn. Since you are taking your children out at 4pm I would definitely apply sunscreen.

For the mosquitoes, can you plant Citronella plants, marigolds, and there are quite a few other plants that are supposed to repel mosquitoes. Check at the nursery and they will know.

[nschildcare]

If I wasn't closing, I would have requested it already. We are still in long sleeves, even coats most days, and all kids have a good hat, plus it's been overcast and raining, but I would still be putting it on faces. Parents haven't sent it but they know it is their responsibility to make sure that their child is prepared for outdoor play. If I really thought it was going to be an issue over the next 13 days (YAY!) then I would be requesting it by now.

Once the weather warms, I have applied at snack times so it has a chance to absorb before we go out. Once the really nice weather hits (which may be never the way our spring is going) we spend most of the day out so parents apply in the morning and I reapply as needed.

As for bug spray, I don't use it, period. When the bugs are bad in the grass, we play on our huge deck. Otherwise, long pants, long sleeves and we deal. Thankfully they don't get too bad here, otherwise I would have to reconsider my policy and outdoor schedule.

[AmandaKDT]

I have the parents apply sunscreen before the kids arrive in the morning, so that they are good to go for them morning. This saved me an extra 20 minutes getting out the door with 6 kids. They also send the sunblock so I can reapply in the afternoon as needed.

Last year we used those clip-on bug repellant fans. They worked really good, I would stick them on the back of their shirt so they wouldn't play with the (which none of them did).

[Fun&care]

For me personally I much prefer that my kids and I get lots and lots of vitamin D and then play in the shade when we've had enough sun vs slathering on sunscreen lading with all sorts of chemicals and unpronounceable ingredients and letting it bake on our skin in the sun. That being said, I do use it when we are places where shade is limited like at the beach or when the UV rays are particularly strong but it's really only a handful of times per summer.

For my dckids I generally ask the parents what their preference is whether always sunscreen, sunscreen only when necessary or rarely sunscreen and I go from there. This year I have a group of parents who are sunscreen lovers and that's ok. I prefer to supply the sunscreen since I don't find it to be a huge cost and it makes application so much easier. I start applying it when it gets warm enough that we are in short sleeves.

I honestly don't ever see myself applying it year round. Total waste IMO.

[Lee-Bee]

For me personally I much prefer that my kids and I get lots and lots of vitamin D and then play in the shade when we've had enough sun vs slathering on sunscreen lading with all sorts of chemicals and unpronounceable ingredients and letting it bake on our skin in the sun. That being said, I do use it when we are places where shade is limited like at the beach or when the UV rays are particularly strong but it's really only a handful of times per summer.

For my dckids I generally ask the parents what their preference is whether always sunscreen, sunscreen only when necessary or rarely sunscreen and I go from there. This year I have a group of parents who are sunscreen lovers and that's ok. I prefer to supply the sunscreen since I don't find it to be a huge cost and it makes application so much easier. I start applying it when it gets warm enough that we are in short sleeves.

I honestly don't ever see myself applying it year round. Total waste IMO.

I'm more along this side of things. All my current families were receptive when I explained I preferred to avoid the chemicals right now by being out after peak sun and wearing a thin layer over skin and hats with good brims. With my whole crew still doing 2 naps we really only can get outside for 1-1.5hrs at the very end of day and it just seems a bit unnecessary at this point to put the sunscreen on.

Maybe it doesn't help that I don't bath my 14month old nightly so the idea of slathering the chemicals on and leaving it on makes me hesitant!

We will start to use it when we can't be out with long sleeves and can't avoid the sun but I'd prefer to hold off as long as possible. I was wondering what the others are doing...none of the children have gotten sunburned or even slightly coloured yet so I figure it's all good.

[Lee-Bee]

Last year we used those clip-on bug repellant fans. They worked really good, I would stick them on the back of their shirt so they wouldn't play with the (which none of them did).

Are the clips reasonably priced to have 5 kids (and my self) using them?

[Fun&care]

Another thing is that I find a light tan is actually a good thing and will protect the skin from sunburn actually quite well so if you expose the skin gradually early on in the summer to build a light tan you will almost never need suncreen after unless you are going to be under the sun with no shade for an extended period of time.

[nschildcare]

Are the clips reasonably priced to have 5 kids (and my self) using them?

Amanda, I'm curious about these, as well. Do you have a brand name for them?

[mickyc]

I seem to be the odd man out here but I use bug spray and sunscreen. I have only used sunscreen on their faces one day last week when we finally had some sun. Our group spends a great deal of time outside. We spend 3 or more hours a day outside and as much as I try to keep the kids in the shade they love to run and play in the sun. I also have some very fair skinned little ones too. I get the parents to give me $10 every spring to cover the cost of bug spray/sunscreen for the season. If the bugs are bad I put bug spray on. I buy the family kind. We also have the mosquito magnet (propane tank one) in our yard to help.

[bright sparks]

There have for sure been studies suggesting that 30 minutes of exposure to sun without sunscreen per day, obviously not at the suns peak times though, is of great benefit to people. That being said, everyone is different and we are talking about an age group with hyper sensitive skin. I apply sunscreen at all times when we go out and the uv is anything but low to my little ones but I do take a slightly different approach to my own children but they are older and more responsible and that's my personal choice for my own children. These young kids are not mine and it is not up to me to push my beliefs or practices on other families. Skin is damaged by the sun even prior to the burn becoming visible. Society tends to view a tan as a "good" thing. I myself like to get a sun tan as do many people but the reality is that a sun tan is sun damaged skin. I lather every child up with sunscreen and do not desire to have them tan while in my care as it is not good for their skin period. Priming the skin for sun exposure to prevent tanning is not a good thing in my opinion when it comes to the skin of babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Exposure to the uv rays is harmful a long time prior to any change in skins colouring. Such young skin should be protected at all costs. Each to their own but tanning isn't good for anyone, but at least as adults we make that choice for ourselves, I myself feel obliged to put sunscreen on every child in my care as it is in their best interest. It is a policy of mine that every child in my care is required to wear sunscreen. If a family does not agree with this, I will not take them on.

[bright sparks]

As for bug spray, the only time I allow it for my own children is camping because there are so many bugs that within moments they can be covered from head to toe. This is an exception and really only means it is used a couple times a year on my own children so minimizes their contact with the chemicals. There are far more effective ways to repel bugs by consuming certain foods that I find effective...garlic for example when consumed means the bugs can not smell your blood and is highly toxic and poisonous to them.

[AmandaKDT]

Amanda, I'm curious about these, as well. Do you have a brand name for them?

It is Off! Mosquito repellant clip on fans. They sell them everywhere, but I found last year that Costco had the best price. They may seem abit pricey, but I used them all last summer and didn't have to put in a refill. I also only had two clip ons to use, which was enough to protect all the kids when they were playing together in the sandbox or water table. They work best if they aren't moving around too much as the product needs to build up around them to create a shield.

[AmandaKDT]

There have for sure been studies suggesting that 30 minutes of exposure to sun without sunscreen per day, obviously not at the suns peak times though, is of great benefit to people. That being said, everyone is different and we are talking about an age group with hyper sensitive skin. I apply sunscreen at all times when we go out and the uv is anything but low to my little ones but I do take a slightly different approach to my own children but they are older and more responsible and that's my personal choice for my own children. These young kids are not mine and it is not up to me to push my beliefs or practices on other families. Skin is damaged by the sun even prior to the burn becoming visible. Society tends to view a tan as a "good" thing. I myself like to get a sun tan as do many people but the reality is that a sun tan is sun damaged skin. I lather every child up with sunscreen and do not desire to have them tan while in my care as it is not good for their skin period. Priming the skin for sun exposure to prevent tanning is not a good thing in my opinion when it comes to the skin of babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Exposure to the uv rays is harmful a long time prior to any change in skins colouring. Such young skin should be protected at all costs. Each to their own but tanning isn't good for anyone, but at least as adults we make that choice for ourselves, I myself feel obliged to put sunscreen on every child in my care as it is in their best interest. It is a policy of mine that every child in my care is required to wear sunscreen. If a family does not agree with this, I will not take them on.


I started using mineral-based sunblock on myself and my daughters last summer, as opposed to chemical sunscreens. It was a bit of an adjustment, as it leave a white residue on your skin, but those chemical sunscreens are bad news for my daughter's eczema.

I also require all the kids to wear sunblock/sunscreen. I am also in agreement that no amount of tanning is good. I don't even worry about getting a tan anymore, I have accepted that my super white legs is how I was meant to be and I have accepted that. I am also trying to keep those wrinkles at bay!!! :-)

On another note, I saw an advertisement for 110 SPF sunblock on TV the other day! That is crazy!! You definitely aren't absorbing any vitamin D if you wear that stuff!

[bright sparks]

I started using mineral-based sunblock on myself and my daughters last summer, as opposed to chemical sunscreens. It was a bit of an adjustment, as it leave a white residue on your skin, but those chemical sunscreens are bad news for my daughter's eczema.

I also require all the kids to wear sunblock/sunscreen. I am also in agreement that no amount of tanning is good. I don't even worry about getting a tan anymore, I have accepted that my super white legs is how I was meant to be and I have accepted that. I am also trying to keep those wrinkles at bay!!! :-)

On another note, I saw an advertisement for 110 SPF sunblock on TV the other day! That is crazy!! You definitely aren't absorbing any vitamin D if you wear that stuff!

I have a friend who said that there is no way spf can be greater than 30 even with the claims of these extra high factor products, its just BS. I am going to ask her what her source was but she is a bit of a health buff like me and her sister is a RNHP so its their way of life. Her son who I care for has the mineral based sunscreen and its horrible to apply but worth it for his overall wellbeing so definitely an adjustment yes. My daughter is a red head and my son has lots of moles and burns easily like me so we are either always pale or freckly :) I'm to busy to tan so I just found a nice natural bronzer and body brushing makes your skin glow too.

[AmandaKDT]

I have a friend who said that there is no way spf can be greater than 30 even with the claims of these extra high factor products, its just BS. I am going to ask her what her source was but she is a bit of a health buff like me and her sister is a RNHP so its their way of life. Her son who I care for has the mineral based sunscreen and its horrible to apply but worth it for his overall wellbeing so definitely an adjustment yes. My daughter is a red head and my son has lots of moles and burns easily like me so we are either always pale or freckly :) I'm to busy to tan so I just found a nice natural bronzer and body brushing makes your skin glow too.

I had also heard that nothing over SPF 30 was worth using, but can't remember where I learned that.

My first thought when I saw the SPF 110 sunscreen was that it would be useful for vampires! LOL!

[Secondtimearound]

I use sunscreen with my dcks , parents supply it so we use it ! My dd is blonde and blue eyed but does not burn ! Italian genes I guess ! I wear hats and will use sunscreen on her if she really needs to. She swims in full sleeve swimming suits and hats so no sunscreen needed . We apply dcks around 9 ish as we go outside from 10:30 until noon . Advantage is the sun does not hit us directly there until 1 ish !!! And we go out again around 3:30-4:00 until home time !
I have started wearing it though !! Not sure what is going on with me but I tan so freakishly easy !! It's been nice out here , around 20, and I'm already tanned ! Last year took my dd swimming all day and the life guard came over and gave me his sunscreen !! I looked red but after we changed to leave I almost bawled !!! I looked like George Hamilton ugh !!!! Even my dad , full Italian was shocked !!
So now I use it ! Lol

[5 Little Monkeys]

For sure vitamin d is a good thing but I've never even considered to not use sunscreen at dc to be honest. I am actually surprised to hear that some don't use it on children. I seldom put it on myself but in the past few years have been getting better. I used to want to be tan too but I am now like amanda...I have pasty white legs!! Well actually, I usually have a capris tan line and then when I wear a shorter dress or skirt I look ridiculous LOL...oh well. Add that to my farmer's tan and I'm a real looker :) hahaha

I buy the sunscreen but ask that parents apply their own before coming so that it's absorbed and ready to go and than I reapply after naptime. I have one that supplies her own due to skin sensitivities.

[daycaremom9]

I started using mineral-based sunblock on myself and my daughters last summer, as opposed to chemical sunscreens. It was a bit of an adjustment, as it leave a white residue on your skin, but those chemical sunscreens are bad news for my daughter's eczema.

I also require all the kids to wear sunblock/sunscreen. I am also in agreement that no amount of tanning is good. I don't even worry about getting a tan anymore, I have accepted that my super white legs is how I was meant to be and I have accepted that. I am also trying to keep those wrinkles at bay!!! :-)

On another note, I saw an advertisement for 110 SPF sunblock on TV the other day! That is crazy!! You definitely aren't absorbing any vitamin D if you wear that stuff!I've heard that anything over 30 doesn't protect you any better.