Infant Mosquito Repellent

When masses of mosquitoes and other hordes of biting insects are on the attack (and have you ever known a summer without them?), it would certainly be nice to encase your baby in a giant, breathable, bug-resistant bubble, wouldn’t it?

But unfortunately, that’s not possible. To the rescue: bug spray and other insect repellents, which can offer some safe relief from those tiny biting beasties — if used carefully.

One way to protect your child from biting insects is to use insect repellents. When there’s a possibility of getting a serious illness, such as Lyme disease, transmitted by an insect bite, make sure you choose repellent that is effective—meaning that it works well. It’s also important to know how to use repellants correctly and safely.

Insect repellents don’t kill insects but work by keeping insects away from the person using them. Keep in mind that they repel insects that bite but not insects that sting. Biting insects include mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, chiggers, and biting flies. Stinging insects include bees, hornets, and wasps.

Infant Mosquito Repellent

Insect repellents approved as safe and effective

​DEET:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates and approves insect repellents for their safety and effectiveness. DEET is approved as a safe and effective insect repellent.

The concentration of DEET in a product indicates how long the product will be effective—a higher concentration works for a longer time. For example, 10% DEET provides protection for about 2 hours, and 30% DEET protects for about 5 hours. Concentrations of more than 50% DEET provide no added protection. You can choose the lowest concentration to provide protection for the among of time spent outside. For example, if you plan to be outside for one hour, you can choose 10% DEET.

When used on children, insect repellents should contain no more than 30% DEET. Insect repellents are not recommended for children younger than 2 months of age.

DEET-containing repellents should not be harmful if parents follow directions on the label to use the product safely. DEET products can cause skin rashes especially when high concentrations are used, but these reactions are rare.

Picaridin an​d other repellents:

In addition to DEET, picaridin and other products are considered safe and effective by the EPA. You can find information about these by using the search tool.

Tips for applying insect repellent on your child

Do:

• Choose products in the form of sticks, lotions or unpressurized sprays.
• Read the label and follow all directions and precautions.
• Only apply insect repellents on the outside of your child’s clothing and on exposed skin—not under clothing.
• Use just enough repellent to cover your child’s clothing and exposed skin. Using more doesn’t make the repellent more effective. Repellents such as DEET should only be applied once a day.
• Use spray repellents in open areas to avoid breathing them in.
• Help apply insect repellent on young children. Supervise older children when using these products.
• Wash your children’s skin with soap and water to remove any repellent when they return indoors and wash their clothing before they wear it again.
• Keep repellents out of young children’s reach to reduce the risk of unintentional swallowing.

Don’t:

• Avoid sprays in pressurized containers to avoid inhaling the product or getting it into eyes.
• Never apply insect repellent to children younger than 2 months of age. Instead, use mosquito netting over baby carriers or strollers in areas where your baby may be exposed to insects.

• Avoid applying repellent to children’s hands; children sometimes put hands in their mouth and eyes.
• Avoid repellent candles that may trigger breathing problems when fumes are inhaled.

• Never spray insect repellent directly onto your child’s face. Instead, spray a little on your hands first and then rub it on your child’s face. Avoid the eyes and mouth.
• Do not spray insect repellent on cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
• Do not use products that combine DEET with sunscreen. These products can overexpose your child to DEET because the sunscreen needs to be reapplied often—every 2 hours while in the sun, and after swimming or sweating.

Natural insect-repellents

“Natural” insect-repellent ingredients including citronella, geranium, peppermint and soybean oil. These are deemed safe but have not been approved for effectiveness by the EPA. Most of these keep insects away for only a short time. In addition, some natural repellents can cause skin irritation.

Other products that are not proven to be effective against mosquitoes include wristbands soaked in chemical repellents and ultrasonic devices that give off sound waves designed to keep insects away.

Natural and other alternative repellents may be good if there is no concern about getting a serious insect-borne illness. If there is a health concern—such as for Lyme disease in an area known to have ticks—DEET, picaridin or another approved effective product should be used.

Infant Mosquito Repellent

While you can’t prevent all insect bites, you can reduce the number your child receives by following these guidelines:

• Tell your child to avoid areas that attract flying insects, such as garbage cans, stagnant pools of water, and flowerbeds or orchards.
• Dress your child in long pants, a lightweight long-sleeved shirt, socks, and closed shoes when you know your child will be exposed to insects. A broad-brimmed hat can help to keep insects away from the face.
• Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints because they seem to attract insects.
• Don’t use scented soaps, perfumes, or hair sprays on your child because they may attract insects.
• Use mosquito nets and fans in outdoor eating areas.
• Keep door and window screens in good repair. Remove any outside places with standing water where mosquitoes may breed.
• Check your child’s skin at the end of the day if you live in an area where ticks are present and your child has been playing outdoors. Remove ticks safely.
• Remember that the most effective product for ticks is permethrin. It should not be applied to skin but on your child’s clothing. Permethrin also may be applied to outdoor equipment such as sleeping bags or tents.

Remember

Talk with your child’s pediatrician if you have any questions about protecting your child from insect bites.

List Of Infant Mosquito Repellent