Summer is a great time to get you and your little one outdoors.
Making sure your toddler is protected from the sun should be a priority.
Are you looking for the best sunscreen for your toddler?
In this post we will cover the different types of suntan lotion available for toddlers and simple hacks to get them to wear it!
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Summer has just started and getting my toddler to wear sunscreen immediately became a battle.
After some trial and error I found some simple ways to get my toddler to put on sunscreen willingly.
Try these tips and tricks that will help you keep your toddler protected from the sun.
Model Proper Sunscreen Use
The first step in helping your child to know the importance of sunscreen is to model it yourself.
Before you even tell your toddler to put on sunscreen you need to be doing it first.
Present it casually by grabbing it off the shelf and talk about how happy you are to have sun tan lotion to protect your skin.
Tell them about how you love the smell of it and it reminds you of summer!
Make it look like a truly enjoyable experience.
If your toddler is anything like mine…when he sees me do something…he wants to do it too!
Take advantage of the fact your little mini me wants to do EVERYTHING you do and get them protected from the sun.
Best Sunscreens for Your Toddler
For some reason my little guy did not like sunscreen lotion and I was having an extremely difficult time getting it on him.
Luckily, we live in a day and age where there are lots of options for safe sunscreen.
The baby sunscreen that came in a stick worked best for us (this is the one we use).
My son took to it right away and would let me put it on him. It is also easy enough for him to try to do it himself (with a little help from me to make sure everything is covered!)
There are also a few other toddler friendly sun protection options out there.
Depending on your child and how often you will need to reapply you will surely find one that works for you.
Whipped Sunscreen: This option can be very appealing to kids. It is lightweight and absorbs quickly.
Sunscreen Stick: This is the preferred sunscreen option in my house. I like it because it goes on easily and quickly. You can also toss it in your diaper bag with out worries of it leaking or spilling all over. Thinkbaby is the one we use and it goes on thick so you can actually see that they are covered completely.
Best Natural Sunscreen: If you are looking for protection without all the extra chemicals then Blue Lizard seems to be a popular option. You can check it out HERE.
Make it a Routine
If you only put on sunscreen “sometimes” then your toddler may get confused.
During the summer months the sun can be quite strong so it is important to put it on especially when you are out between the hours of 10AM to 4PM.
You can read more about sun safety recommendations HERE.
Make it Fun
When I am slathering sunscreen on my son I usually tell him I am turning him into some sort of animal.
Maybe it is his dinosaur skin or cat fur.
This little trick can make it go from something you are telling your toddler to do…to something they actually ask for!
Try and get creative.
What motivates your child?
Is there someway you can make putting on sunscreen a fun experience instead of a chore?
Use All Forms of Sun Protection
Sunscreen is a wonderful way to protect your little one, but don’t forget about the other options available as well.
Having your toddler help pick out some of the items with you may make them more willing to wear them as well.
Sun Shirts (like this one) are a great option if you are going to be at the pool all day long. They are lightweight and come in a variety of fun patterns and styles.
You can also get sun suits that cover pretty much the whole body (this would be a good option.) They even have zippers a the bottom so that diaper changes are quick and easy.
Sun hats allow for sun protection on your toddler’s head and face. You can even get hats that drape over their neck to protect that area as well (like this one.)
Don’t forget to protect those eyes! There are sunglasses available with straps (like these) to help them stay on. You can also grab fun pairs that your toddler will be motivated to wear (like these.)
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Kayla O’Neill has a master’s degree in education as well as a bachelor’s degree in special education with an emphasis in early childhood education. She has been working as a developmental therapist with babies and toddlers in early intervention since 2012. She is also a mom with two young children.