BEST Sunblock

[Xero]

Hey I was just wondering what all of you guys think is the best sunblock out there for babies and toddlers? I'm a sunblock freak haha, having sensitive skin myself, and Eli's got my skin so I'm looking for the most gentle kind that blocks the most sun! So what do you guys think?

[zeitgeist]

Rub him on a hippo.

Hippo Sweat Offers Key to Natural Sunscreen : Discovery News

March 16, 2009 -- Hippos can stand in the hot sun all day without getting a sunburn, and now researchers know why: a red-colored glandular secretion known as "hippo sweat" contains microscopic structures that scatter light, protecting the hefty mammals from burns, according to a new study.

In the future, scientists hope to create a product inspired by hippo sweat that we may be slathering on our bodies before long. The stuff could be an advertiser's dream.

"It would be nice to also try and replicate the antiseptic and insect-repellent characteristics of the sweat, to obtain a four-in-one product: sunscreen, sunblock, antiseptic, insect repellent," co-author Christopher Viney told Discovery News.

"Just so long as the stuff doesn't smell like hippo," added Viney, a professor in the School of Engineering at the University of California, Merced.

Sorry, I've got nothing realistic. But now you can chuckle at the idea of asking your kid "did you rub against the hippo? No? Go to the garage and give the hippo a hug." before he goes out to play.

[Xero]

LOL!! Thanks, zeitgeist. xD

[IADad]

okay, I've always assumed that's you in your AV, and if so, I'm not quite as translucent as you, but still pretty darned white. I don't really tan, I burn and peel if I'm in the sun unprotected very much at all. DW had a malignant melanoma, it's been 20+ year and she's fine. So, we know a little about sunblock at our house. I don't know that brand matters very much to me. I love the "sticks" for applying it to faces...I think the one brand is "baby faces?" Otherwise we've been told by dermotologists and oncologist that anything over spf 30 is really not worth it. Just put it on 1/2 hour before going out and reapply every couple hours or sooner if in water.

That being said we have used some 45 on babies especially.

and one brand we do like is Banana Boat. Their "Sport" seems to not be so sticky and you can get it put on tykes without taking forever and them fidgetting all over (too much)

We must be doing something right because our 7 yo has never had a sunburn (some light pink on a few close calls at changing seasons etc...) so I think the practice of doing it is more important than the brand.

and that's about all I know about sun screen.

[fallon]

we use just about any brand as long as it's tear free and at least 45...with Eli's skin I think I'd get him the aveeno brand or something that compares to the gentleness

[Jeremy+3]

Our youngest two are ginger, so they burn at the slighest hint of sun, the only thing that works for them is P20.

[mom2many]

I love the banana boat brand, the highest SPF and water proof. Aiden is WHITE (the whitest of the bunch) and I have had no problems with it, I just make sure to reapply a lot.

There is one other brand but I can never remember it's name, I just recognize the bottle when i see it.

[fallon]

I think banana boat and coppertone are the 2 we buy most often

[Father_0f_7]

Being from Florida...I'm a beach bum (in fact I went to the beach today to surf) I also like Banana Boat SPF of AT LEAST 25 (I used to go with 35 for Billy and Kaitlyn)

Also a water proof or water resistant sunblock...it makes sense.
I also dont like the lotion because I never seem to get it even...and people look at me weird when I rub my body in public, so I've always used to spray.

The spray works for kids too because it doesnt take too much time to apply, and we all know kids dont like to stay still.

[Xero]

IADad - Yes, that's me in my avatar.

And here's my pasty white bug -



haha

Thank you for all the responses everyone. I guess you're all right when you say application habbits matter most, that makes a lot of sense. I'll just make sure to apply well and often. I also just burn badly in the sun and then I just wait for it to heal and somehow I... don't end up with a tan?? haha. But whatever. I burn so easily and it drives me crazy and I would feel terrible if that happened to Eli. I hate seeing little ones running around with bright red skin. That hurts! You know?

I also looked it up and I guess as far as protection goes banana boat and copper tone are the best ones, and as far as sensitivity goes aveeno and a couple other pricey brands are the best. I'm not sure! lol. I guess I could always try the best protection ones like banana boat and see if it doesn't bother him, and if it does I'll just grab some Aveeno instead since that's what I use on him for everything else (body wash, lotion etc).

I like all the advice and experience though! I'm a little new at this as this will be Eli's first REALLY active summer, as he was born as summer was ending and was still really too small to do TOO much last summer. I'm excited though, I can't wait to take him outside to do so much fun stuff!