Baby Safe Insect Repellents

[dawnfire]

Have we covered Baby-safe Insect Repellents here before?  I feel vaguely like we have, but maybe in the Random thread and...well, there's too much of that.

I was doing some researching for our cruise, and I found out about Honduran Sand Fleas.  Do. Not. Want!

Any of you ladies have any baby-safe products you're using for LO?  My Johnson & Johnson Baby Creamy Oil has been a rock star at keeping away mosquitoes, but I don't think it'll help with other nasties like the sand fleas.  Preferably something that plays well with sunscreen.

[bigrock74]

I"ve heard that Avon Skin So Soft repellent is good and safe for babies. I made one last year with lavender, lemon juice and a few other ingredients. It works but you do have to reply more often than you would a store bought type. I will see if I can find the recipe I used.

[soon2bmrsn]

I was planning on ordering some California Baby repellant for this summer. Thanks for reminding me.

[bigrock74]

Found it:

15 drops of Lavender Essential Oil (alternatives citronella or cinnamon oil)
3-4 T Vanilla Extract (alternative cooking oil)
4-5 T Lemon Juice
Mix the above ingredients
Pour into spray bottle
Add water to fill the bottle

Smells really good and feels great on the skin.

[dawnfire]

Thanks, ladies! While the recipe one sounds good (and I bet it smells great!) I know the reality of my situation...we'll forget to reapply and then get all but up.

[honeybee434]

May 14, 2015 17:39:25 GMT -5 bigrock74 said:

I"ve heard that Avon Skin So Soft repellent is good and safe for babies. I made one last year with lavender, lemon juice and a few other ingredients. It works but you do have to reply more often than you would a store bought type. I will see if I can find the recipe I used.

Our pedi recommended this entire line, including the sun screen.

[sararl07]

sand flees sound uncomfortable do you have to get something special or will regular baby bug spray work

The natural kind you make...how long does it stay good? Do you have to refrigerate it?

[dawnfire]

May 15, 2015 10:40:54 GMT -5 sararl07 said:

sand flees sound uncomfortable do you have to get something special or will regular baby bug spray work

The natural kind you make...how long does it stay good? Do you have to refrigerate it?

I googled sand fleas and it sounds like most regular bug repellents will work for them.  Hmm, it sounds like my Baby Creamy Oil may keep fleas away too, since it has aloe and according to google they don't like aloe.  I'll probably try to get the Avon Skin So Soft because that sounds good, too.  

The Baby Creamy Oil DOES work for mosquitoes, I'm happy to say.  I've seen mosquitoes in my house, but I put on the Creamy Oil each night before bed and I don't get bit! 

[emilillies]

Our pedi don't recommend a specific type of bug spray but did say that it should only be applied to the back of the neck area.

[soon2bmrsn]

May 18, 2015 8:22:32 GMT -5 Cdnfroggy said:

This local store makes a coconut lime bug spray that's all natural...so I'm going to try that one for him.

I bet that smells amazing!!!!

[dawnfire]

jlhv1909, okay, I have to say that stuff works and it must last on your skin a while! We had to have an impromptu staff meeting outside (after it rained all weekend and this morning), and the rest of my staff were bitten up by mosquitoes but not me! I hadn't applied any since last night, too!

I need to buy stock in that stuff.

[bigrock74]

May 15, 2015 10:40:54 GMT -5 sararl07 said:

sand flees sound uncomfortable do you have to get something special or will regular baby bug spray work

The natural kind you make...how long does it stay good? Do you have to refrigerate it?

I make a large spray bottle (sometimes 2) and they last for a season. I'm actually finishing up some from last year and it seems to be working just as well. I don't refrigerate mine. I've left it in our laundry room or outside in our gazebo. As I mentioned earlier, you do have to reapply more often but at least you know everything you're putting on you and LO is natural.

[honeybee434]

Are these sand fleas at all beaches?? Or just certain areas of the country?

[dawnfire]

May 19, 2015 9:19:34 GMT -5 honeybee434 said:

Are these sand fleas at all beaches?? Or just certain areas of the country?

I've seen them mentioned at beaches on Honduras, Belize, and Jamaica--not sure if they go to any others.  Apparently they are the worst after a rain.