As a new parent, your baby's comfort and safety are always your top priorities, especially during mosquito season. Those small red bumps are itchy and inflame your baby's sensitive skin. Worse are the health risks from mosquito bites. So, you're likely wondering how to protect infants from mosquitoes. Perhaps you're searching for the best mosquito repellents for babies. You're not alone, and the good news is that safe and effective solutions are available.
Read on to learn all about how to keep mosquitoes away from your baby. Together, we can create an itch-free environment for your little one so you can enjoy your outdoor time together worry-free.
Why Infants Need Extra Mosquito Protection
It's vital to protect newborns from mosquitoes for several reasons:
- Delicate Skin: Their soft, delicate skin makes babies more vulnerable to irritation, itchiness, and discomfort caused by mosquito bites.
- Immature Immune System: A baby's still-developing immune system increases their vulnerability to infections and any diseases the mosquito carries.
- Risk of Allergy: There is a concern that frequent mosquito bites in very young children may cause a severe allergy to mosquito bites called skeeter syndrome.
- Small Size to Bite Ratio: The baby's small size relative to the mosquito bite can amplify the effects of the bite, resulting in pronounced inflammation and discomfort.
Not to worry! You're here — learning how to keep mosquitoes away from your baby so the two of you can enjoy the outdoors together safely. Let's start by exploring recommended mosquito repellents for babies. Then, we'll proceed to several natural ways to protect newborns from mosquitoes.
Choosing the Right Mosquito Repellent for Babies
When choosing mosquito repellent for babies, the goal is to find protection that is both effective and safe for their sensitive skin. Pediatricians advise against using bug repellents on newborns — we'll discuss ways to protect newborns from mosquitoes next — but there are several options for little ones two months old or older.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend using infant mosquito protection that contains one of the following proven ingredients:
- DEET: A synthetic compound that prevents mosquitoes from landing on treated skin or clothing. For children two months old and older, the recommended concentration is 10% to 30%. A mosquito repellent for babies with 10% DEET provides protection for two hours, while 30% is effective for up to five hours. However, pediatricians recommend using the lowest effective concentration.
- Picaridin: Odorless and non-greasy. The AAP and CDC recommend choosing products with no more than 10% Picaridin for infant mosquito protection. Repellents with just 5% Picaridin can be used after two months and protect from mosquitoes for three to four hours.
- IR3535: Effective at repelling mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting pests. IR3535 is recommended for children two months and older in concentrations ranging from 7.5% to 20%. However, 7.5% is considered too low to be effective. The Academy recommends against using infant sunscreen combined with IR3535 due to the need for frequent sunscreen applications.
- Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus: Naturally derived OLE provides up to six hours of protection. However, it is not recommended for children under three. Note: OLE is not the same as pure lemon eucalyptus essential oil, which is not an effective repellent.
Always follow the product label instructions carefully and check the Environmental Protection Agency list of registered insect repellents to ensure your choice is safe for your baby. Share your concerns regarding mosquito repellent for babies with your pediatrician.
Tips for Applying Mosquito Repellent for Babies
Always choose infant mosquito protection that is recommended for your child's age, and follow the label instructions. Then follow these application tips:
- Apply to your hands first. This prevents accidental inhalation or overapplication.
- Avoid sensitive areas. Keep the repellent away from your baby's eyes, mouth, and any broken skin.
- Focus on clothing. Apply the repellent to your baby's clothing for added protection, especially around the cuffs and collar.
- Do NOT apply under clothing. This can cause skin irritation and overexposure.
- Use the right amount. Apply a thin, even film on your baby's skin. Do not over-apply.
- Monitor closely. Watch to keep your little one from touching or rubbing the treated areas.
- Clean up afterward. Once indoors, wash your baby's skin with soap and water and launder treated clothing to remove the repellent.
Following these tips for applying mosquito repellent for babies will let your little one enjoy the outdoors with you in comfort and bite-free peace.
Natural Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Away from Infants
Now that you know what to look for in choosing mosquito repellent for babies, let's take a look at how to keep mosquitoes away from your baby more naturally:
- Dress Your Baby in Protective Clothing
- Cover your baby in loose, lightweight clothing that leaves minimal skin exposed. Hats, shirts with long sleeves, pants, and socks are ideal.
- Tuck pant legs into socks to prevent mosquitoes from finding their way to your baby's skin.
- Avoid bright colors, flowery prints, and tight clothing, which can attract mosquitoes or make it easier for them to bite.
- Choose light and neutral colors like beige, olive, and khaki, which are less visible to mosquitoes.
Stay Indoors During Peak Mosquito Activity
Mosquitoes are most active at dawn, dusk, and following rainy weather. If possible, keep your baby inside during these times. If you must go out, use protective measures like mosquito netting or fans to prevent bites.
Protect Carriers and Strollers with a Net
Draping a fitted mesh net over the baby carrier, stroller, or car seat is an effective way to keep mosquitoes from coming near your little one. Choose netting with small enough holes to block the mosquitoes from entering, but that ensures good ventilation for your baby.
Avoid Using Scented Lotions, Soaps, and Perfumes
Mosquitoes are attracted to scented lotions, soaps, perfumes, hair sprays, and even scented laundry detergents. Use fragrance-free products when you plan to spend time outside.
Stay Away from Popular Mosquito Hangouts
Where do mosquitoes congregate? You want to avoid those places! Stay away from these mosquito hot spots to prevent your little one from getting bit:
- Stagnant pools of water, such as puddles, ponds, dog bowls, birdbaths, and water-filled gutters
- Garbage cans or tire swings
- Flowerbeds, gardens, shrubbery, and piles of leaves
- Orchards or individual fruit trees
- Heavily wooded areas
Eliminate Mosquito Hangouts on Your Property
Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property to deny mosquitoes the necessary habitat for breeding. Regularly empty or clean birdbaths, pet bowls, gutters, and any containers that collect water. Trim shrubs, keep the grass short, and remove piles of leaves to reduce mosquito hiding spots.
Create a Breeze with Fans
Mosquitoes are weak flyers. Using a fan near your baby's crib, playpen, or stroller keeps mosquitoes away naturally.
Specialized Mosquito Traps
Consider adding a couple specialized mosquito traps to your property. Designed to target females, the only mosquitoes that bite, they disrupt the breeding cycle and eliminate biting females.
These natural and eco-friendly ways to protect newborns from mosquitoes effectively protect kids and adults of any age.
What to Do if Your Baby Gets Bitten by a Mosquito
Of course, you'll do everything you can to protect your newborn from mosquitoes. While the thought of a mosquito bite on your baby's delicate skin is awful, in most cases, the bite is annoying but does not pose a serious health risk. According to the CDC, most kinds of mosquitoes in the U.S. are just nuisances, though some species can spread viruses. Here's what to use to relieve an itchy mosquito bite on your baby:
- Ice: To reduce inflammation and itchiness, wrap an ice cube in a cloth and apply it to the bite.
- Baking Soda: Mix with a few drops of water to form a paste. Apply to the bite, let it dry, then rinse off after 15 - 20 minutes.
- Breast Milk: Lactating moms can dab breast milk onto the bite. Studies suggest breast milk is as effective as hydrocortisone for relieving itchy skin.
- Soap and Water: Always clean the bite gently with soap and water to remove bacteria from your baby's skin and reduce the chance of infection.
Again, in most cases, the bite is pretty harmless if a mosquito bites your baby. However, please remain alert for the following signs that you should contact your pediatrician promptly:
- Severe swelling or redness
- Signs of infection, including pus, increased heat at the bite, or red streaks in the skin near the bite.
- Fever or chills
- Unusual rash
- Fatigue, irritability, or other behavioral changes
- Breathing difficulties
- Swelling of the face or mouth
Long-Term Mosquito Protection for Your Baby's Safety
As we have seen, a multi-pronged approach is the best way to protect newborns from mosquitoes. Mosquito repellents for babies are critical. And so is learning how to keep mosquitoes away from your baby in the first place. For the best long-term protection, we recommend a combination of good hygiene for your yard and Mosquito Joe®'s pest control services. We tailor our mosquito control services to meet your specific needs, offering:
You can count on Mosquito Joe to help protect you, your family, and your precious little one from biting mosquitoes. We back our commitment to your safety with the Neighborly Done Right Promise® and our Mosquito Joe Satisfaction Guarantee.
Request your free quote today, and let us help you make your outdoor spaces safe for your little one.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Mosquito Joe is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact your local Mosquito Joe location for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.
