Are you worried about mosquitoes biting and hurting your baby? Are you looking for a safe way to protect them?
It can be scary to apply bug spray to your baby’s tender skin. You worry about allergic reactions and if the ingredients in the sprays are safe enough for them. But you also don’t want your baby end up sick from a preventable bite, either.
It can feel like a no-win situation.
What you need is the best mosquito repellent you can trust to be safe for your kids. This article will help you find the solution you’re looking for.
Our Top Baby Mosquito Repellent Picks of 2020
How Does Mosquito Repellent Bracelet Work?
When you put on a repellent bracelet, you are carrying the natural repellent that it contains. The repellent gives an offensive scent to the mosquitoes. When you move around when wearing the bracelet, you will spread the scent in the air, which gives you protection.
Do They Really Repel Mosquitoes?
Mosquito repellent bracelets are easy to use. But are they able to deliver their promises in protecting us from those annoying and harmful bites? The answer is yes. Although there are some limitations that we should be aware of.
Repellent bracelets produce a strong and unpleasant citronella odor that keeps mosquitoes away. It is found that the scent is more effective on the areas close to the bracelet.
When you enter a high-risk environment with a large number of mosquitoes in the area, these bracelets are unable to offer 100% protection. In fact, you may even need to consider using an additional repellent for protection.
Although repellent bracelets may not be the best for areas like swamps and forests, some waterproof repellent bracelets are suitable for those who like water activities.
When you apply repellent onto your skin, substances such as DEET will be washed away. In other words, the repellent property is lost. Instead, repellent bracelets remain active and effective even when you are underwater.
These bracelets can do their job when you use them right. For those who do not want to use DEET products, repellent bracelets can undoubtedly reduce the number of bites you may get.
If you are a parent who worries about your children licking the harmful chemicals from mosquito repellents on their skin, consider these repellent bracelets as a safe option.
Separately, any mosquito repellent products are unable to provide perfect protection. The most well-endorsed mosquito repellent, DEET, is found to reduce the number of mosquito bites you will get. However, it cannot completely promise to eliminate bites.
Tips for Using Mosquito Repellents on Babies
No matter which repellent formula you end up choosing for your baby, there are a few basic safety tips for you to follow. First of all, only use spray repellents in open areas, so that your child does not inhale them. Please do not spray near food, either!
Never apply repellent on or around your child’s mouth or eyes. The same goes for areas with cuts and irritated or infected skin. Do not spray repellent directly onto their face.In fact, whenever possible, try to apply repellents to your child’s clothes instead of their skin. Finally, when you have finished spending time outdoors with your child, bring them inside and wash their skin with warm water and soap. Be sure that you thoroughly wash any treated clothing before allowing them to wear it again.
Mosquito Repellent Formulas: Which Ingredients Are Baby-Safe?
With the right formula and the right precautions, mosquito repellents can be baby-safe. Generally speaking, the exception is for babies younger than two months of age. This is great news for those who like to take their little ones out to enjoy nature during the warmer months.
Generally speaking, insect repellent formulas fall into four separate categories, based on their active ingredient.
DEET-Based Repellents
In the past, most repellents used a synthetic chemical known as DEET (N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) to act as the best line of defense against insects. While it is effective at repelling bugs, the problem with DEET is that many people think it could be toxic to humans – not only children but adults as well. Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend using products containing DEET on children below two months of age. Products with only 10% DEET may be safe to use on older children. Products containing 30% DEET or more should not be used on children of ANY age.
Plant-Based Repellents
Some repellents use essential oils from plants like cedar, citronella, eucalyptus, and soybean to ward off mosquitoes. Plant-based repellents are not very long-lasting, though. Protection generally does not last for more than two hours. While less potent than DEET, plant-based repellents are 100% natural and non-toxic. For that reason, they are generally safe to use on young children. The exception to this is babies younger than two months of age. Because these repellents require regular reapplication, their use is not recommended until after the baby is two months old.
Permethrin-Based Repellents
Permethrin is another potent insecticide. This substance is a synthetic chemical whose structure resembles a natural insecticide from the chrysanthemum flower. Even though it is synthetic, it is mostly non-toxic. But it does not provide much protection against mosquitoes, only ticks, lice, etc. It should only be applied only to clothing and not to bare skin.
Picaridin-Based Repellents
Picaridin is one of the newer insect repellent ingredients in town. It claims to be as powerful and as long-lasting as products with 10% DEET. It is also odorless, colorless, and feels light when applied to the skin. While it is a promising candidate for use as a baby mosquito repellent, the American Academy of Pediatrics has not given it its seal of approval, so far.
Mosquito Repellents For Babies: A Buying Guide
Mosquitoes
Whether you are out camping, hiking, fishing, or simply enjoying a barbecue in the backyard with friends, you just can’t seem to enjoy the warmer weather without being pestered by mosquitoes. Human skin (and blood) attracts these blood-sucking pests like moths to a flame. They are hyper-sensitive to the warmth emitted by our bodies as well as the odor of carbon dioxide and other gases emitted by our skin.
Not only are their bites itchy and irritating, but mosquitoes are also the carriers of many dangerous diseases. These include malaria, the West Nile virus, the dengue fever, the Ross River virus, and the Zika virus. Infected mosquitoes can pass these diseases on to us as they feed on our blood.
Even though they have a short lifespan of only 2 to 3 weeks, mosquitoes breed extremely rapidly. The female of the species is capable of laying hundreds of eggs, resulting in an equal amount of offspring, in a very short period of time. All mosquitoes require to reproduce is water (such as that found in ponds, streams, creeks, swimming pools, birdbaths, fish ponds, etc.), and a source of food (us!).
Mosquito Repellents For Babies
When under attack by hordes of swarming mosquitoes, the solution for most of us goes without saying. You simply lather yourself up with mosquito repellent to form a chemical barrier between yourself and the bugs. Nowadays, insect repellents come in sprays, lotions, gels, roll-ons, and even shampoos. So, there is something out there for just about everyone.
But what about babies? They need protection from mosquitoes, too. But applying a mosquito repellent on your little one requires a great deal of care and caution. Some repellents contain insecticide ingredients that are toxic to children and even potentially toxic to adults as well. Other products are certified as safe for babies and young children. Let’s take a look at which repellent ingredients are safe for babies.
