Question:
I have a questin about sunscreens and dark skin babies.
How much or is it necessary to use sunscreen on an infant with dark skin?
If so, what SPF is necessary?
Usually I put a big floppy hat on Ezra when we go outside and a thick cotton tee and we usually only go out for about 20 minutes at a time since I have excessively fair skin and am highly susceptible to burn.
Do I need to take more precautions for him?
Answer:
I am dark skinned & so are both my boys and yes, they have so
far never shown any sighns of sun-burn! To my understanding,
dark skins are less susceptible to sun burns - but they are not
entirely immune to it. For instance I burn easily when I am
near water ( the glaze ~maybe strong). I also burn very easily
when I sea-bathe or go skiing...
My pediatrician suggests keeping even my "dark skinned" boys
out of direct sunlight & USE the highest SPF protection for kids
on them(Sorry, can't remember the SPF.) when they are going to
be overly exposed to sun/ice/...
Deantha, just yesterday, I was at the river fest, here in Wichita,
& I saw a 6 month old baby screaming with agony of sunburn, while
(presumably) the mommy & gran'ma put ice & all sorts of thing
to comfort the baby...
It made me shrink...If only they had done something
for the baby BEFORE it got sunburnt!!!! (HMPH! :^( )
Anyway, returning to the topic... even in India li'l
ones are protected from the direct hot-sun & are covered with
blankets & sun-caps ~ this may give us a hint for SPF'ing our boys'.
