With a baby in tow, it becomes all the more essential to keep your home and its surroundings clean and pest free. Any kind of insect can be harmful to your precious one, including mosquitoes.
That’s where mosquito repellents can come to the rescue. But, Why Buy Mosquito Repellent for Your Baby?
Mosquitoes are a nuisance for both adults and children. They can cause skin irritation and transmit diseases such as dengue and malaria.
But unlike adults, babies know little about protecting themselves from insect bites. Furthermore, babies can develop Skeeter Syndrome as a result of severe mosquito bites.
So using repellent will help keep them safe from harm’s way.
How Do Mosquito Repellents Work?
Repellents work by blocking mosquitoes from sensing the person or object that is being protected. Some repellents, such as DEET (diethyl-meta-toluamide), work by masking the smell of the person or object.
Others, such as picaridin, work by blocking the mosquitoes from sensing the heat or carbon dioxide that we emit.
To reduce the chances of becoming infected with one of these diseases, it is important to know which repellent works best.
What are the Probable Dangers of Using Mosquito Repellents?
Mosquito repellents are a necessary evil.
DEET, the most common active ingredient in mosquito repellents, can be toxic if ingested in large quantities. It can also be harmful if inhaled or if it comes into contact with your skin for a long time.
Repellents with other active ingredients, such as picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus, can also be toxic if ingested in large quantities.
How to Choose the Right Mosquito Repellent for Your Baby
Therefore, you need to choose a mosquito repellant that does its job without harming your baby. And there are a few factors you need to consider when choosing a mosquito repellent:
The repellent should be safe, effective, and easy to apply. Some repellents are designed to be applied directly to the skin, while others come as a spray. Yet other varieties are designed to be used on clothes.
Some of the best mosquito repellents for babies include DEET-based repellents, citronella-based repellents, and oil-based repellents.
While DEET is the most effective mosquito repellent, there are concerns about its safety when applied in large quantities. Citronella is less effective than DEET, but it is certainly less dangerous. Oil-based repellents are the least effective of the lot. But that’s why these are the safest too.
6 Best Mosquito Repellents for Babies
Some products claim to be effective in repelling mosquitoes, but which is the best mosquito repellent for babies? Here are some recommendations:
1. Off! Deet-Free Mosquito Repellent for Babies and Kids
You can use this product on the skin or clothing of infants and toddlers. It contains no DEET, which is linked to toxicity issues in some children. So you can rest assured it’ll protect your baby without adversely affecting them.
2. YAYA Organics Baby Bug Ban
Made with a variety of essential oils, this repellent refreshes and protects the skin while providing long-lasting protection.
3. California Baby Natural Bug Blend Bug Repellent
This alternative to toxic mosquito repellents is made of natural ingredients like citronella, lemongrass, etc. It has a non-drying formula that is gentle on your baby’s skin and protects them from mosquito bites.
4. Babyganics DEET-free Bug Repellent and Sunscreen Spray
This non-allergenic and tear-free formula makes use of plant-based ingredients and essential oils to protect your baby against mosquito bites and sun exposure. It is free of parabens, phthalates, and artificial fragrances, making this mosquito repellant an ideal choice for your baby’s sensitive skin.
5. Murphy’s Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Insect Repellent Spray
Made from lemon eucalyptus oil, distilled water, and corn ethanol, this plant-based mosquito repellent can keep mosquitos away for up to 6 hours. Additionally, it also protects against fleas.
If your baby is going to be around dogs or other pets, using Murphy’s insect repellent is a good idea. It’ll provide all-around protection to keep your munchkin safe.
6. Sallye Ander “No-Bite-Me” All-Natural Bug & Insect Repellent
This organic bug and insect repellent is made with young children’s delicate skin in mind and can be used as early as toddlerhood. You only need to use a small quantity of this cream to protect your little one.
The best part is that since the product is made from edible ingredients, you don’t have to worry about your baby accidentally licking or ingesting this cream.
While you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to baby-safe mosquito repellants, choose one from one of the recommended products above and reapply as needed.
DIY Mosquito Repellents
Did you know that you can also make your own mosquito repellent? There are many recipes for mosquito repellents available online or in books, but the most important part is to find something that is safe, both for you and your baby’s skin.
Choose A Plant-Based Oil
Several essential oils have been found to be especially effective at repelling mosquitoes. Plant oils that are strong repellents for mosquitoes include Citronella, Cinnamon, Rosemary, Cedar, Geranium, Castor, Lemon, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Peppermint, and Clove.
Other plants that produce oil with repellent properties include Verbena, Lavender, Pennyroyal, Pine, Basil, Cajeput, Thyme, Allspice, Garlic, and Soybean.
Make Your Own Mosquito Repellant
1. Choose your preferred mosquito-repelling essential oil. For starters, try pennyroyal, lemon, citronella, or eucalyptus oil.
2. Make a natural mosquito repellent mix by combining water, essential oils, and a pinch of salt.
3. Sterilize the bottle or container where you will be putting your mosquito repellent mix.
4. Shake the bottle until the repellent is mixed well. Dilute your repellent before using it.
Bugs Be Gone: Tips to Repel Mosquitos From Your Baby
Other than using mosquito repellent products, there are a few things you can do to keep mosquitos away from your baby.
- Make sure there is no standing water around your home where these parasites can breed. Mosquitos love to lay their eggs in stagnant water.
- Keep your yard and porch clear of debris where mosquitos can hide. It will also help reduce mosquitoes’ breeding grounds.
- Lastly, keep your babies well-covered when outdoors. Mosquitoes are also attracted to warm flesh, so keeping your baby bundled up is a good way to keep them away from the bugs.
You can also put on mosquito repellent before putting on your baby’s clothes, or use a sunblock that has mosquito-repellent properties.
