I know this is not directly related to breastfeeding but wanted to respond.

Sunburn protection is key for all children.  I encourage my parents to use
sunscreen on all their children (and reapply FREQUENTLY especially in the
water).  On most of the containers they recommend not using products on
babies under 6 months.  I think the American Academy of Pediatrics put out
recommendations that sunscreen is safe for babies under 6 months (1999).  The
key thing is too much sun isn't all that great for anyone (many desert
dwellers throughout the world have figured this one out and cover themselves
in the sun-it's not just a religious thing, you'll also notice that
farmworkers in the Central Valley of California-with 100+ degree heat-also
tend to cover up as well).  I definitely do not recommend tanning lotion for
kids.

Clinically I have seen some bad sunburns in children over the years
(especially in the under 3 crowd).  One bad sunburn in childhood increases
significantly the risk of skin cancers in later life.

Sunglasses are also recommended as retinas can be damaged by too much sun.  I
know it's tough to put sunglasses on a toddler (or hats for that matter) but
they do help.

Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, MD FAAP
Modesto, CA (a very sunny place and veteran of living in the Mojave desert of
Las Vegas, NV and very dusty and dry Bakersfield, CA)
P.S. (I'm a very dark skinned African American who uses sunscreen on herself
and her child and recommend sunscreen to all my dark skinned patients).

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