Should my baby wear sunscreen? Yes. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding sun exposure and using protective clothing. Sunscreen can be used on infants at any age when adequate clothing and shade are not available.

Infants under six months should be kept in the shade with a brimmed hat as their skin is much more sensitive to sun exposure. Avoid midday sun (10 am - 2 pm), as it is the most intense.

Sunscreen should be SPF 15 or higher and should be applied liberally 30 minutes prior to sun-exposure. Sunscreen should be reapplied at least every four hours.

Can my baby use insect repellant? Insect repellant can be used in infants over 2 months of age. Repellants containing DEET are the most effective and will repel ticks as well as mosquitoes. Limit DEET content to less than 30 percent.

Apply repellant to clothes as well as exposed skin, but do not spray directly onto your child's face; spray it onto your hands and then apply it to your child’s face. Repellant should not be applied to a young child's hands as they are frequently in their mouths.

It is best to avoid being outside at dusk and dawn, peak mosquito feeding times. Use repellants selectively on exposed areas and wash off the body as soon as possible.

How about essential oils for repelling insects? Essential oils such as citronella, cedar, eucalyptus and soybean oils work but they are generally less effective than other insect repellents and give short-term protection only. They usually last less than two hours.

Should I have bumpers in my baby’s crib? Bumpers are discouraged. Any soft, fluffy bedding can increase the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). If used they should be thin, firm, well secured and not pillow like, due to the risk of suffocation.

When can my girl have a pillow in her bed? Pillows are not recommended for children under two years of age. Most children start sleeping with a pillow when they move from a crib to a bed (around age two). Most toddlers are quite active sleepers and would gain little benefit from a pillow. A toddler’s first pillow should be firm.

Can I have a trampoline? Because of the high number of injuries, the Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend the use of home trampolines. Over 83,000 trampoline-related injuries occurred in 1996 in the United States. The majority of these injuries occurred on home trampolines and nearly a third of them were severe enough to require hospitalization or surgery. The AAP recommends trampoline use only as a part of supervised training programs.

Is a baby walker okay for my baby? The Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend the use of baby walkers due to safety concerns and developmental concerns. Although widely thought to help children walk, studies have shown that walker use may actually slow walking.

When can my child ride in the front seat? The safest place for children younger than 13 years is in the back seat of the car.

When can my baby change to a car safety seat from an infant seat? Infants should ride rear facing until they are one year old and 20 pounds. They can move up to a car safety seat when they reach the maximum height and weight restrictions as noted by the seat’s manufacturer.

Car seat safety clinics are held around the metropolitan area; please check with your clinic to obtain contact numbers for these clinics if you have concerns about car seat installation, or your child’s fit in his or her car seat.