What sunscreen and mosquito repellent to use with a baby under 6 months? Are natural products like Bébé mousse okay?

Hello, I took the trouble to do some research on Baby Foam products in order to properly answer your question.

Before the age of 6 months, it is recommended that sunscreen only be applied to areas of skin not protected by clothing or if it is absolutely impossible to keep the child in the shade. If a cream must be used, it is preferable to use a physical screen (reflects the sun's rays) rather than a chemical screen (penetrates the skin). Because of the fragility of a baby's skin, a chemical screen could enter the bloodstream and the effects are not well known. Products containing zinc oxide as a physical barrier are the ones I recommend. In your Bébé Mousse product, there is zinc oxide. The sunscreen that I recommend the most is Aveeno Baby Sensitive Skin. In addition to containing a zinc oxide physical screen, it does not contain parabens or other allergenic preservatives.

As for mosquito repellent, before the age of 6 months, it is recommended to avoid applying it (no matter the product). Non-pharmacological measures are to be preferred, such as wearing long clothing (whenever possible and depending on the heat as well), wearing nets, wearing hats that cover the neck, etc. From the age of 6 months, it may be possible to use products containing 20% icaridin or DEET. The maximum concentration of DEET should be 10% and the product should be applied only once a day.

I hope this answers your question.

Jean-Sébastien Lecompte, pharmacist