The description below was contributed by: Judy Magram, on Jul 31, 2000 03:43:29PM Tip Rating
Appropriate age group: Preschool and Younger Elementary School
Description of tip or technique:
Although most insect bites are harmless, it's best to protect your baby from the discomfort and nuisance of bites. Dressing your child in light-weight long-sleeve clothing that can breath (all cotton materials) is the easiest and safest way to avoid insect bites. Of course, you'll want to be sure that your child doesn't become overheated in extreme temperatures. Otherwise, most pediatricians will say that deet-free bug repellent is safe for children 6 months or older. There are several all-natural bug products available for children that are quite effective as well.
Other comments or suggestions:
Since baby's skin is extremely sensitive, it's a good idea to test any new sunscreen or bug repellent on a small patch of skin to see if they have an allergic reaction (it's best to wait 24 hours to see if your child develops a rash or reaction to the new product).