Insect repellents can protect a baby from insect-related diseases.
When used correctly, bug repellent can be an effective tool to protect a baby from uncomfortable, and possibly infectious, insect bites. Read labels carefully before applying any bug repellent to a baby. Does this Spark an idea?
Ingredients
Bug repellents and sprays that contain DEET or picaridin are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Using products with these ingredients can help to prevent insect-related diseases, such as West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease. Natural insect repellents are less effective than their chemical counterparts and may need to be applied frequently, according to Baby Center.
Age Restrictions
Insect repellents of any kind are not recommended for babies under the age of 2 months. For children over the age of 2 months, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends bug sprays containing 10 to 30 percent DEET. A lower concentration of DEET in a repellent does not mean it is less effective, but that the duration of effect will not be as long as a repellent with a higher DEET concentration.
Bug Repellent Safety Tips
Avoid using a combination sunscreen/bug repellent product, since sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours and bug repellent should not be reapplied on babies, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Use a bug repellent with the lowest concentration of DEET or picaridin and do not apply aerosol insect repellents in an enclosed area.
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