summer clothes/sun clothes

[jessaroo]

I am looking for some light protective clothing for my ds. I am not looking for swim clothing. Perhaps some thick linen shirts to go with the mineral sunscreen. I tried a search and only found swim shirts.

What do you do for sun protection??

[mommariffic]

I guess I don't do much besides apply sun screen, and sometimes I forget.

[kittykat2481]

We also just do sunscrean usually, and try to stay in the shade when we can. Sometimes a hat. We're in Texas though, and it's just too hot here for long sleeves or pants in the summer time.

[AllisonR]

Nothing. It is minus 10 degrees and the snow from Dec 23rd is still on the ground - underneath the snow from Dec 24, 25... along with the snow from January, February and now March.

OK, I'm sorry this post probably didn't help you much. But I am SOOOOO Jealous right now!

[btallen]

Swim shirts (AKA Rash Guards) work for outside - not just for swimming. They dry very quickly, so your LO won't get too hot. We had a set from Baby Banz, but BRU, Gymboree, One Step Ahead, etc. all have them. I really like these because most (not all) are UPF 50, so you only need to apply sunscreen to the exposed parts. Most have sleeves that come down to the crook of elbow and a mock turtle neck, so there's not that much skin exposed.

[Anastasiya]

From what I understand, sunscreen prevents your body from metabolizing Vitamin D. So we rarely use it or use it in minimal amounts.

For sure I get the kids' noses, cheeks and tips of their ears. They wear hats and sunglasses, and play moderately. I test their skin every so often to make sure it's not starting to burn. If it's a really bad day they wear long sleeves outside.

We've gone through three summers now pretty much sunscreen-free, and no burns on anyone.

[jessaroo]

I am in school to be a medical transcriptionist and I have been typing many reports of people with skin cancer due to sun exposure. I did research last year on safe sunscreen and we use mineral sunscreen.

I was looking for a link to a place to find light clothing- like linen pants and shirts- a thin long sleeve shirt and short sleeve shirts to have.

[JudiAU]

We are all about sun protection. I have a lot of skin cancer in my family and my husband has had many bad moles removed; his back is terribly scared. In addition, we both have moles and freckles. LO is very fair. We generally use mineral sunscreen (California Baby Face Stick, CB sunscreen, or Burt's Bees) but also keep a spray sunscreen from Banana Boat's "baby" line in the car. Sometimes the sunscreen doesn't happen in the lotion is the only option. I don't like the BB at all-- lots of nasty stuff in there but I accept that it is better than nothing.

Our toddler ALWAYS wears a hat and if we spend more than 15 minutes outside he has sunscreen on his arms and legs. He is usually wearing shorts and a short sleeve shirt. If we were sporty, which we aren't, I would buy one of the lightweight Sun Precautions shirt/jackets for outside wear.

I find the easiest thing for swimming is a zip up one piece spf 50 suit-- I found a cheap one at Rite Aid last summer. Easier for us then struggling with a rash guard.

Did I mention vanity is no small reason? The sun is terrible for your skin quality and appearance. I want my kids to have attractive skin later in life.

Finally, the other poster is right that sunscreen is thought to hinder vitamin D absorption and that many people don't get enough. But I don't think that is a reason to discontinue sunscreen use. LO and the infant get enough D in other sources.

[Chamomile Girl]

Pretty much all stores have their spring/"Easter" lines out right now, but when the summer stuff comes out you should be able to find linen separates at both Gap Baby and Janie and Jack.

[Anastasiya]

I sometimes wonder if all the skin cancer lately has to do with the use of sunscreen. Putting all those chemicals on your body's largest organ, coupled with the fact that you aren't allowing your body to metabolize Vitamin D, which is in and of itself is a cancer preventative.

Just my wonderings, anyway.