Ask Karen: Babies and Sunscreen

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Q:  Can babies be too young to wear sunscreen?
A:  With so many sunscreen options available for kids and adults it can be difficult to determine which one is best.  Dr. John Moore with Botetourt Pediatrics says it’s best for babies to remain out of the sun.  But, if your baby is in the sun they should definitely be wearing sunscreen.
He says, “You want to make sure your baby is not allergic to the ingredients.  It is best to first test the lotion on a small spot first.“
The biggest problem Dr. Moore sees is parents not applying sunscreen often enough.
He says, “You really need to do that every couple of hours.“
Don’t let a product that have 75 SPF give you a false sense of security because there is really no difference between it and a product with an SPF of 30.
Dr. Moore says, “The number looks better and sounds better as far as preventing sunburns it does not give any extra benefit.“

Link to more information about sunscreen.