Google did not give me a clear answer so I’m turning to you all! Can I put bug repellant on my 5 month old? We will be in New England for vacation this summer and I don’t want her to get mosquito bites but since I know putting sunscreen on is debatable (my ped said a little zinc oxide is ok), I wasn’t sure about bug spray but I’d like to use something so she doesn’t get bitten. Anyone know? And can you recommend a brand? Thank you!!
-
I started looking into this today too because we have sooo many mosquitos I can’t enjoy my yard at night. This article has some good info: https://www.parents.com/health/bug-bites/guide-to-bug-repellent-for-kids/
I didn’t read the article for actual brands but know that 2+ months is safe for bugspray, and that sunscreen goes on before bugspray. We generally use more natural sprays but ugh do I want to cave and use the hard core Off! full of deet in the green aerosole can. Apparently for older children and adults eucalyptus is effective so I’ll try that but too bad for my kids I guess 🤷♀️
Also where in New England? We spent time there in the summers growing up and I don’t remember many bugs (I’m from NY and there are so many mosquitos in the summer). We were on the shore thought. I’ve never needed to put bugspray on my kids (they usually just get on or two bites if we are out at night, if any).
-
@JJ2626: where in New England? I live here and the bugs can be bad, but it really depends where you are and how late you are out. Most of the time with little kids weend up being inside aroundthe time the mosquitoes come out. Mosquitos love me but my kids almost never get bit.
But we are in a rural-ish suburb of Boston. It’s a different story if you are camping or something. You can also try tight long pants and sleeves to keep the bugs off little one. But I don’t know specifics. I’m more worried about ticks than mosquitoes these days- they are pretty bad in my area.
-
If you only need it for a certain time of day (like an evening walk) you could maybe use a bug cover that fits on the car seat. I was looking at some on amazon (for myself, we have horrible mosquitoes here in tx) that weren’t expensive ... no actual experience for but reference: https://www.amazon.com/Jolly-Jumper-Fitted-Netting-Carrier/dp/B000MMVTS8
-
Does anyone have experience with those bug repellent bracelet things?
-
I used Avon skin soft wipes and it worked well!
-
I'm severely allergic to DEET, so I have run the full gauntlet on "natural" bug repellants.
Avon Skin So Soft works great, you're a little oily for it... But smells good works great.
Bug bracelets- work ok ish, but if baby won't keep it on, not so great.
Coleman, off natural, bull frog branded DEET free sprays work for short periods of time, reapply often.
Thermacell- a little pricey, works amazing, don't actually apply anything to your baby. It's butane powered handheld/table top decide that heats up a small citronella based pad and provides a 7 1/2 foot radius of bug repellant.
I would go the thermacell or Skin So Soft route with a baby
-
Thank you so much all! Will read up on the links you posted and check out the avon wipes.
@Becky: @Foodnerd81: We'll be in Vermont and Lake George, and then in the NYC area. I get eaten alive as soon as I walk outside so was imagining the same thing happening to LO. She'll be on California time at first so we may actually be outside kind of late.
@bhbee: @MrsKRB: @Sams Mom: @Iced Tea: Thank you! Will check all these out. Leaning toward the skin so soft wipes.
-
@Sams Mom: Which Skin So Soft? I was going to buy some but the Avon website has a ton of SSS products and I’m confused
-
I live in Iowa, where mosquitoes are BAD and this amazing bug repellent is made: https://www.simplysoothing.net/bug-soother/natural-insect-repellent-deet-free-for-kids-and-pets/
It smells lovely and works better than Repel or OFF!
-
We've been using thermacel for a few years now and they work great. Definitely worth the money!
-
@Jennibenni: this is the one I use
@ALV91711: I got mine for a wedding present because we were going to Alaska for our honeymoon and I can't use DEET. They're fantastic
-
Studies have shown that sprays with picaridin, DEET, and oil of lemon eucalyptus are most effective. I personally prefer picaridin, because it doesn't smell like anything. My son plays outside in a grassy yard at daycare every day, and never gets bug bites. We use Sawyer Picaridin spray: https://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Products-SP544-Repellent-Picaridin/dp/B0015KG5NK/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1532010006&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=Sawyer+Insect+Repellent&psc=1
-
Oh, heads up, though -- CDC says: "Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children under 3 years old." So I'd stick to DEET or picaridin.
https://www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/prevent-mosquito-bites.html
-
we use picaridin or DEET. There's been pretty exhaustive research that its safe, and there are some really scary, very real mosquito carried illnesses (and tick carried) around our area these days. my husband is a pediatrician and he's been pretty insistent about it. I liked to use the DEET wipes when they were little so I wasn't spraying it all over them.
ETA: I live in Vermont. There have been cases of west nile and Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Vermont, though it is rare. We use bug spray if we are going to be in the forest, or out at dusk. Oh- and we spray ankles if we are near tall grassy fields (to help avoid ticks) and do a tick check every night before bed.
During the day its not generally a big issue for us, so baby may not have much need for protection.
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
15 comments