Conference moira::parenting_v3

    I think it's ALWAYS greenhead season at Plum Island!  At least it is
    now, anyway, and well into July.  As for what you have planned to
    shield your little one from the sun...  I'd say it's sufficient.
    I brought my 8.5 month old out in the sun last weekend to my sister's
    pool and I put 'Pre-Sun for Kids' (SPF 29) on her, and a little hat
    and she was fine even though she's got pretty fair skin.  I hear that
    Coppertone's 'Water Babies' sunscreen is also good.
    
    - Kathryn
    

Greenhead season lasts until mid to late August.

Dick

    Another thing to be aware of at Plum Island is the fact that
    there's a very strong undertow there. Be very careful about where the
    kids swim...

    Curious to get your opinions on waterproof sunscreens.  Whenever I use
    them on myself (I'm a fanatic about not going out without sunscreen), I
    tend to get overheated very easily, almost as if the waterproof variety
    seals up my pores.  Probably a nutty idea, but I'm much more
    comfortable with a water-soluable version and re-applying it often. I
    have a 6-month old and plan to take him to the beach in August, and the
    pedi's office recommended a water-proof sunscreen.  David won't be
    "body-surfing" for a few years yet, so I really don't need to worry
    about the sunscreen washing off.  If I dip him in the water, I can
    re-apply more easily enough.  Comments?  Anybody else feel "sealed"
    by waterproof sunscreens?  If it makes me uncomfortable, it almost has 
    to make him uncomfortable, too.  Interested in your ideas...
    
    Sarah
    

    We use the "water babies" sun screen.  It works like a charm.  When we
    were at the ocean the past two weekend Andrew sat in the shallow water and 
    splashed like a mad man and he got sand everywhere, literally!  The 
    water babies seems to stay on even when smeared on the sand then "tide
    rinsed".  He came home almost as lily white as when he first arrived.
    
    It didn't seem to bother him at all.  We put it on him before we got to
    the beach, so we didn't have to deal with putting it on a sand covered
    body.
    
    Nancy
    

    CVS has the generic version of "water babies". It's MUCH cheaper.
    
    Kate

    
    	I heard on a consumer report that anything over a SPF of 15 is a
    marketing gimmic.  SPF of 30 does no more than 15.  Anyone have
    comments on this.  I find 15 works great with my 2 kids.  Just make
    sure you cover them completely.  My daughter at 5 wanted to do it
    herself and ended up striped.
    
    Dave
    

    I read the same general information in Consumer Reports; that SPF's
    >15 were basically a marketing gimmic. One of the various parents/baby
    magazines we recieve had a comparison of three SPF strengths. it said
    that SPF35 provides 97% blocking, SPF15 provides 93%, and SPF2 provides
    50%. The point it makes is that there may be slight differences between 
    SPF15-35, but that the differences weren't proportional to the change
    in SPF numbers. 
    
    We use Johnson & Johnson's baby sunblock (SPF15) with good results.
    
    

Just some info to pass on, 

Both my Mom (Doctorate in Nursing/teaching) and my daycare provider have gotten
information that any SPF over 15 is NOT GOOD for a small child/infant.  They 
believe that anything over 15 can be carcinigenic (sp) for little kiddos.

FWIW

Minda

    I read the same thing about SPF 15 and while I believe it, I still
    went out and bought SPF 29.  :-)  I guess I'm a typical consumer.
    
    - Kathryn
    

   Gee, and I thought that when you got up to 29 or 30, that it would
   actually make you paler by using it!  :-)
   
   - Tom
   
   (what can I say... its Friday afternoon...)
   

    	Re:-1
    		Made my afternoon
    		Thanks
    

We've compromised on applying sunscreen... My 6 year old son applies it to his 
arms, legs and feet (which, being exposed regularly, are less sensitive), while 
I apply it - very thoroughly! -  to his back, chest, shoulders, and face (which 
are more likely to burn).  I know he's well covered where he'll really need it, 
and he does get to do some of it himself.

It may help to point out that even most "grownups" will also try to get someone
to do their backs/shoulders for them, since that's a hard area for anyone to 
reach on themselves! :-) 

		Helen

    There is nothing gimmicky or misleading about high SPF numbers.  They
    represent quite straightforwardly their relative protection.  That is,
    1 minute of unprotected exposure is equivalent to 15 minutes with an
    SPF 15 block, or to 30 minutes with an SPF 30 block.  It is, of course,
    also true that 30 minutes is "only" twice as long as 15 minutes, just
    as 30 is twice as large as 15.
    
    The inverse of the SPF gives the percentage of unblocked sun.  Thus SPF
    15 lets through 1/15th of the rays (6.67%) while SPF 30 lets through 
    1/30th (3.33%).  Yet a screen blocking 93.3% does in fact let through
    twice as much sun as a 96.7% screen, even though those two numbers
    "seem" very close.
    
    Thus, the difference between a 15 and a 30 screen is just the same,
    proportionally, as between no screen and a 2 screen.  If a 2 screen
    makes sense, so does a 30 screen.  Adding a 32 screen would, indeed,
    be silly, though.
    
    As an unrelated issue, it might be true that for some people, the
    difference between a 15 and a 30 screen is insignificant, in that
    either is sufficient, and thus the two are equivalent.  But then the
    30 screen is no more silly than the 15 screen.
    
    It is certainly not true that high SPF numbers imply carcinogenic
    properties absent in low SPF numbers.  The only known carcinogen under
    discussion is sunlight itself.
    
    		- Bruce

However, someone who spends all day in the sun with an SPF15 sunblock is 
probably getting the equivalent of 20-30 minutes of unprotected midday
exposure (in New England, anyway).  Going to SPF30 would cut that to 10-15
minutes.  So the question is, is it necessary to cut your exposure from
20-30 minutes to 10-15 minutes?  In New England, for a person with any
tan at all, the answer is probably "no" (not to mention that many people
probably don't spend the entire day in the sun).

	-Neil

    Stepping out of the SPF discussion for a moment, just wanted to relate
    an experience I had with my 7-month old this weekend.  We did not go to
    the beach until 3:00 PM, to minimize sun exposure, and I coated him
    with SPF 15 sunscreen. I did a patch test for 2 days prior, since he's
    very sensitive to just about everything.  Patch test went fine, so on
    it went.  Unfortunately he rubbed his eyes and got sunscreen from his
    hands in his eyes!  His eyes puffed out, but he didn't seem to notice,
    since there was no tearing and he didn't fuss in the least,  Luckily I
    brought some baby soap and a face cloth with me, so I could wash his
    hands and eye area.  After washing he was fine, had a ball, and no
    tan/burn at all.  Tip : bring some infant bath soap with you in case of
    irritation.  Those waterproof sunscreens need 80 minutes of water to
    wash off...much too long if an irritation develops.
    Sarah
    

    Sarah,
    
    is it possible that your sunscreen contained PABA? Nick had a similar
    reaction once when we used mom's SPF15 instead of his Johnson & Johnson's.
    His eyes puffed up almost instantly. Luckily, we were able to wash him
    off right away, and the puffiness went away quickly. We recoated him
    with his J&J, and he was fine. 
    
    

    I put J&J on him, and it says it does not contain PABA.  Here I was
    being so careful to do a patch test.  David has paper-white skin (with
    dark brown hair and eyes so dark brown they look black) and is allergic
    to almost everything with fragrance.  The J&J didn't cause a reaction
    anyplace else, and didn't occur until he decided he was sleepy and
    rubbed his eyes.  Guess I'll have to try a diffrent brand, or will they
    all cause puffiness if they rub their eyes?  I only washed off his
    hands and face, and the puffiness disappeared.  The rest of his body
    was still protected by the J&J with no further episodes. What is it
    about PABA that causes problems?  I notice most sunscreens now say
    "PABA free"?
    
    Sarah
     

    PABA is Para Amino Benzoic Acid, one of the first real sunscreen
    compounds to be developed.  It has largely been supplanted by
    oxybenzone and related compounds, because PABA is not a "wide-spectrum"
    sunscreen.  Some people were found to be allergic to PABA, so some
    products make a big deal of being PABA-free.  There's nothing
    special about it in regards to kids, but it makes great marketing.
    
    I know a woman for whom the switch to oxybenzone is maddening, because
    she is violently allergic to IT, and not to PABA.
    
    Most people have no problem whatever with PABA.  Almost any sunscreen
    will irritate the eyes if it gets in.
    
    				Steve

    About the SPF factors -- a lot of it depends on how sensitive your
    skin is to sunlight.  As Neil pointed out in .15,  "someone who
    spends all day in the sun with an SPF15 sunblock is  probably
    getting the equivalent of 20-30 minutes of unprotected midday
    exposure (in New England, anyway).  Going to SPF30 would cut that
    to 10-15 minutes.  So the question is, is it necessary to cut your
    exposure from 20-30 minutes to 10-15 minutes?"
    
    I have very fair skin (though dark brown hair and eyes, like
    Sarah's son), and that 10 to 15 minute difference is the
    difference between enjoying something like a whalewatch cruise or
    an all-afternoon hike, or coming back like a lobster.  
    
    I've been using SPF29 on my arms all summer.  This is supposed to
    be enough to leave you paper pale, but my arms are noticeably tan
    already.  Even that 3% or whatever it is of UV that gets through
    is enough to affect my skin. 
    
    So if I could get a protection factor of 45, I'd use it . . . but
    I imagine that for most people, it would be a waste of money.
    
    --bonnie

    Great point, Bonnie.  I didn't notice, but my sister said David looked
    like he had a "tan".  I see him everyday, and he's never naked outside,
    so I guess I just didn't notice in our normal household light.  Sure
    enough, I took off his diaper and he had a teeny bit or color...not a
    "tan line", but a little darker on his legs and arms, not a burn. Looks 
    like SPF15 isn't going to be enough for him, even though he was only at 
    the beach from 2:30-4:00 (never quite under the umbrella the whole
    time...sometimes a leg sticking out, sometimes an arm, sometimes his
    whole self!!). 
    Sarah
    

    I use a SPF15 on my son (3 yrs old) and a wide baseball cap since
    about May.  Alex has a great tan, he has never burned, nor had
    any 'reddness' anywhere on his body.  I us a SPF30 since I have very
    very fair skin and I now have a nice tan, not as dark as Alex, but
    a tan.  We reapply the sunscreen every hour and we are outside
    all the time.

    See the latest TIME magazine (July 23rd issue just out) for an
    insightful article on the increase in skin cancers.  The article
    emphasizes careful protection during childhood and teenage years, since
    the effects and risk of skin cancer only appear many years afterwards.
    
    

    Be most careful of depending on an umbrella!  At the beach, there is so
    much reflected light off the sand and water, that an umbrella would not
    do at all.  I have not been  to the beach yet, but when I do, Nathan
    will be practically dipped in sunscreen...
    
    I use the Pre-sun for Kids, and it works fine, used it starting at 4
    months (forgot to chech with his doctor first, but he had no problems). 
    I don't put any around his eyes or on his hands; thus, we have avoided
    the swollen eyes (so far!)
    
    Adrienne
     

    We will be taking out 8.5 month old to the beach for the first
    time this week.  We plan on using sunblock (as we always do
    when out in the sun) but I was wondering how effective beach
    umbrellas were.
    
    Steven is VERY active, but we were hoping he might get him 
    "out" of the direct sun for a bit during the day.  Do beach
    umbrellas help?  Or are they a waste of money?
    
    I'd appreciate any other helpful hints from all of you 
    experienced beach-goers.  I was planning on bringing the
    playpen since Steven does like it for short periods of 
    playtime.
    
    We've decided if we get to stay on the beach for 2 hours
    we'll be doing good!
    		thanks!  Linda

    Linda,
    
    I don't think an umbrella would be a waste of money at all.  Steven
    may decide that he'd like a nap on the beach and you'd need to shade
    him with something.  When we took Allyson a few weeks ago, our
    neighbors had given us a little "corral" for her to play in.  They've
    used it for their "active" babies, too.  Anyway, I wished I'd had an
    umbrella because when she wanted to sleep, we had to drape towels
    over the the sides of the corral to create shade and I couldn't see
    in after we put up the towels.
    
    Good luck and have fun,
    Kathryn
    

    I purchased a nylon Cabana (sp.).  It sets up quick and easy and packs
    into a small nylon duffle bag.  Weighs about 5 lbs.  I put Samantha's
    toys and a towel in it and she plays and naps right on the nylon floor.
    
    The Cabana is three sided with a roof and floor.  It has vents and
    windows with flaps.  I purchased it at B.J.'s for under $15.00.
    
    I have found that this works for young infants and for toddlers.
    
    Good luck and have fun at the beach.
    Cheryl

    I don't know about the kids, but *I* would die at the beach
    without the umbrella!
    
    My son used to alternate between shade and sun.  He'd run around
    playing until he got hot and tired, then he'd come back and sit in
    the shade with me and have a drink, then he'd be off again. 
    Remember that the sun will reflect off the water up under the
    umbrella or cabana, so it's not a total block even in the shade. 
    
    More important than the umbrella, make sure you have LOTS of
    liquids available.  I prefer plain water, so I just take a water
    jug if I don't know whether the beach has drinking fountains.  (An
    empty plastic milk jug works great.)
    
    MVP Sports also has a selection of cabanas like those mentioned in
    .27, though I think most of them were a bit higher priced.
    
    --bonnie

    Thanks for the advice!  I went out and bought an umbrella
    last night...shows how much I know, I got one for $7.  Here
    I thought I was about to make a big investment!  8-)
    
    We do plan on dousing Steven (and ourselves) in sunblock
    and bringing extra liquids.  Now all we need is the sun!
    
    Linda

    Its so ironic. Here are all the people headed to the beach "to
    sunbathe" and they dunk themselves in sunblock to avoid the sun.
    Its sort of like taking a shower with a raincoat on.

    
    
    AVON sells sunscreen products.  One group of products called FACE is 
    specifically for the face.  I used it last year and am using it this
    year.  It is PABA free and has been tested by dermatologists.  It is
    so good on the face and does not sting.  I have used it on my 6 year
    old son and it has never stung his eyes as other sunscreen products
    have.  
    
    This product may be useful for some of you and your kids.  I doubt 
    if an infant rubbed his/her eyes whether it would cause any swelling or
    irritation.
    
    					Darlene

    re: .30
    
    I don't go to the beach to sunbathe.  I go to the beach to swim,
    cool off, play in the sand, watch the birds, walk along the shore,
    and listen to the waves.  
    
    --bonnie

    Jeff,  
    
    I still get a tan when I use sunblock...I just don't burn
    which is fine with me!
    
    Linda

    
    
    My husband and I do not burn when is the sun. We microwave. We both
    like the tan we get when we use 15 to 25 block sunscreen as apposed
    to the blisters we get when we use anything less or nothing at all.
    
    Janet
    PS When I was a teenager I could not get a dark tan like everyone
    else because My skin chose to burn instead. Because I could not count
    on the protection of a suntan lotion or oil I covered up with my
    sweats between races(I was on the swimteam). My teammates nicknamed
    me  Palemate after the Freakies in the cerial that was popular at that
    time.
    

    Re: last few.  Oh, I know.... just kidding about the only reason to go
    to the beach is to get a tan. I couldn't resist saying that about 
    showering with a raincoat on.  Jeff