We live in denver and the mosquito's are huge and already eating. I'm nervous to use regular bug spray on the baby. Any ideas?
2007-05-16 13:00:03 · 12 answers · asked by kiti 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, repellants made with DEET (officially known as N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide or N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) seem to offer the most protection against mosquitoes and ticks. You need to worry most about those insects because they can carry serious diseases like West Nile virus and Lyme disease. Research shows DEET-containing repellents are safe to use on babies 2 months and older provided you follow these precautions:
• Use a product that contains no more than 10 percent DEET; higher concentrations are not considered safe for children.
• Apply the DEET product just once a day.
• Apply the repellent sparingly and only to areas of exposed skin, never under clothing.
• Don't apply repellents near your baby's eyes and mouth, or to cut or infected skin.
• Avoid your baby's hands because young babies often suck on them.
• Don't use DEET products near food.
• If you're using a sunscreen that also contains DEET, apply it just once. Don’t use an additional form of DEET. Then if you need to apply more sunscreen, use one that's DEET-free.
• Once indoors, use soap and water to rinse the areas of your baby's skin where you applied the repellent.
• If you'd rather not use products containing DEET, bug repellants made with citronella are considered safe for babies 2 months and older, but since they're not as effective as DEET they need to be reapplied throughout the day.
Tip: No matter what kind of bug repellant you use, dress your baby in light-colored clothing that covers as much of his skin as possible. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, light colors allow you to see ticks on your baby’s clothing, and are less appealing to biting bugs than dark colors, so they act as a deterrent.
I also use Cutter family wipes. they work wonderful!
2007-05-18 05:40:04 · answer #1 · answered by blank 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Allegedly the FDA says DEET is safe for babies over 2 or 6 months, I have seen both.
http://www.drgreene.org/body.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=21&action=detail&ref=1798
However I don't think DEET is at all appropriate for children who get everything in their mouths and eyes. You can get DEET impregnated clothes and netting which are not supposed to allow absorbtion. You can also use plain netting. Their are sound emitting devices that can be clipped on clothing (some are quite cute) that repel mosquitoes.
Personally I think the sound emitter plus a natural repellant such as citronella, cedar, or lavender (there are commerical natural products that contain a blend or you can use essential oils - though most of these should not be applied to skin rather too hands). Is probably as safe as you are going to get.
2007-05-16 13:12:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always used Skin-So-Soft by Avon on my son when he was a baby. The mosquitos are TERRIBLE for 10 months out of the year here and they never bothered him.
2007-05-16 13:04:39 · answer #3 · answered by Sidney M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ask your doctor. Personally, I always liked Avon's Skin So Soft. Most actual repellents are too strong for a baby's skin.
2007-05-16 13:02:56 · answer #4 · answered by P J 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I live in India and tried everthing trust me the best thing is arnywear its 100% safe.
the product is the best for outdoor-indoor
few things that says the product is worth
1)it has been clinically tested and proven by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
2) Boots(the top health shop in UK)
3) Mothercare sells it in UK
2007-05-17 20:47:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our pediatrician said anything that says 'all family' on it and less than 10 % deet
i just found some by Cutter. i got it both in a spray pump so I can spray it on my hands first and then wipe it on my son. and I also found the same brand with Wipes!!!! I found them both at Walmart.
We camp all the time. Our 9 month old son absolutely loves it!!!!!
2007-05-16 13:17:06 · answer #6 · answered by JumpingBean 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have not tested this but dryer sheets are suppose to repel mosquitoes....
2007-05-16 13:03:01 · answer #7 · answered by ♥♥The Queen Has Spoken♥♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mosquito net - instead of spray, just a fine net all around the baby.
2007-05-16 13:02:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I wouldn't use any chemicals on my baby's skin. Keep baby covered or inside. The risk of chemicals isn't worth it to me.
2007-05-16 14:39:56 · answer #9 · answered by Karen 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Avon skin so soft
2007-05-16 13:02:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋