It is so hot outside and I already got my first sunburn. It was one of those days when the sky was clouded and I could hardly even see the sun. Well, I should of known better, and now I get to say ouch ouch ouch. And that is why I’d like to ask my friends this question: How do you protect your family from summer sun and heat?
Ashley: Sunscreen! I’m currently on the search to find the “perfect” one for my son. I would hate to see him with a sunburn. So far so good. Also hats and sunglasses are great and a must have when out and about.
Ghada: Hats and sunscreen are a big thing in our house. Too many instances of melanoma on my husband’s side of the family. We also make an effort to find shade when playing outside.
Gena: We are all fair skinned in our family, so sunscreen is a necessary evil! The boys hate it, but we just have to use it. I really like TruKid waterproof sunscreen. They also have UV protectant shirts they wear when in the water.
Lena: I am with you Gena:I think I really love TruKid sunscreen. It is natural and is still easy to apply. Many natural sunscreens I have tried are so not easy to use. I also buy my kids swimsuits with UVF protection. We also got a sprinkling system last summer, so I hope that would help too when the kids are on the backyard. Are the any more gadgets for the smaller kids out there?
Emily: We spend so much time outdoors that having a great sunscreen is important. We’ve used Trader Joe’s, California Baby, and Jason. I’ve been pleased with all of them. Everyone wears big hats and sunglasses, too! At the beach, we bring an umbrella and a big pop up tent that provides shade for rest time. We have several water toys to help us keep cool when we’re not at the beach, too.
Ashley: We haven’t been to the beach yet this summer, so I have not looked into purchasing a baby tent yet. Do people like them better than the big umbrellas? Anyone have a brand they recommend?
Emily: We tried the baby tent twice, but I found it to be too hot! We purchased a big pop up tent and brought the pack n play for rest. This summer, we’re trading the pack n play for a kid-sized beach cot. Fingers crossed the he’ll still rest at the beach, I’m not ready to give up nap time! I should also mention that we load up our SUV and drive onto the beach. I would not lug all this stuff if I had to carry from a parking lot to the beach.
Kathleen: I’ve not used a portable beach baby tent but we did bring a small tent to the beach before for the baby. Not enough circulation though. If we are going outside somewhere, I’m a stickler for sunscreen but for every day like going to school and such, I often forget or run out of time. It’s so hard to find a good suncreen. It is either to sticky or slimy or hard to spread or smells horrible. I’m still looking for the best kind.
Valerie: I am a big fan of TruKid sunscreen as well. I love that it is not sticky, dries fast and smells great.
Mary: Other then sun screen… I don’t do anything. Well, hats and sun glasses, if they will keep them on. This is the first year of really going to a beach (its been a city pool or YMCA up until this year) and I had no idea they had baby tents! Although I do lather them up before we go and a touch up if we are at the beach for longer then anticipated, I am a little forgetful when it comes to reapplying sunscreen. I have to be more diligent.
Thank You Ashley of Maryland Momma’s Rambles & Reviews, Ghada of Mama goes BAM, Gena of Life With Captain, Lena of Way2Goodlife, Emily of Nap Time is My Time, Kathleen of Callista’s Ramblings, Valerie of Valerie’s Reviews, and Mary of iNeed a Playdate.
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Sunscreen all the way! My mother has been drilling sunscreen into my head for so long I can’t remember! Sunscreen always 🙂
I really don’t think sunscreen is enough. In fact, I would really prefer to cover up, then wear it. I wear a hat, and a sunshirt if I am swimming!
I have little travel bags of sunscreen in every bag I own now. You just don’t realize the damage you are doing to your skin if you don’t keep it on at all times. I want to protect my kids and this is a great way to do it!
I worked in derm for 6+ years and am a huge advocate for not only using a broad-spectrum sunscreen but also staying out of the sun during peak hours and using barrier-protection in the form of hats, sunglasses, etc. Consumers really need to look at the active ingredients in sunscreen and the percentages. I think zinc oxide is one of the best but the product needs to have at least 5% in it or I won’t buy it.
I grew up hardly ever using sunscreen and to be honest, now I’m not a big fan either. Although I do make sure to protect my face. I like having my skin a little darker shade during the summer – although I am certainly not one to endlessly lay out just for color. – Katy
I was never one to put sunscreen on as a kid, however, I am paranoid about my kids, and dowse them in sunscreen! It is truly so important! I actually use it now too!