As a highly populated and urbanised country, Singapore is prone to the deadly dengue despite the best efforts from NEA to contain it. Therefore, mosquito repellents are paramount in protecting you and your kids from these insects. However, do you know whether mosquito repellent is safe for babies? Could they pose a risk to your child’s health?
With the prevalent use of mosquito repellents today, many of us are still unaware of the hazards of such chemicals. If you have babies and kids at home, it is essential to find out how safe these repellents are before using them regularly.
While plenty of mosquito killers are on the market, not all of them are suited for your babies.
In addition, problems like allergies and being too harsh on the baby’s skin may arise if you pick a repellent that is unsuitable for young children.
To avoid these potential health hazards, it is worthwhile to take the time to research the best mosquito repellent for babies and kids.
[product-comparison-table title="Best Mosquito Repellent for Babies and Kids"]
Mosquito repellent for babies and kids – is it safe? How and when to use them?
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Mosquito repellent for babies and kids – is it safe? How and when to use them?[/caption]
Whether you’re taking your baby for a walk or simply slipping them to bed in your cosy home, some bugs like mosquitoes and ticks cannot be completely removed.
Insect repellents prove to be very helpful in protecting yourself and your kids from insect-borne diseases.
There are many studies that shed light on how safe these repellents are. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), repellents that contain picaridin or DEET are safe for use on babies who are over 2 months old.
It is found that natural and organic repellents are also best for children, but not advisable for babies below 2 years of age.
Very few body reactions have been reported to date from the use of insect repellents. However, it is important to take precautions while using these chemicals on your kids.
- Make sure you apply/spray only as much as it is required; avoid excessive usage.
- Apply the repellent only on the exposed area of the body and not under the clothes.
- Do not apply repellents over itchy or irritated skin, open wounds and cuts.
- Spray the repellent on your hand before applying it to your child; and avoid spraying on their hands, mouth and eyes.
- Use the repellent in a well-ventilated space.
- Avoid applying repellent in combination with sunscreen or other lotions because it can lower the effectiveness of the spray and make you apply more than what’s required.
- Use it only when necessary, e.g. when going outdoors, in the evenings when mosquitoes swarm in and around the house, and when your baby’s room seems to house troublesome bugs. Avoid using the repellent throughout the day when it’s not needed.
- Avoid scented lotions when going out as they can attract bugs.
- Once the kids return home, wash off their treated skin areas thoroughly with soap.
- Wash all the repellent-treated clothing before subsequent use.
Different types of mosquito repellents for babies and kids
With several insect repellents on the market, the choices can be overwhelming.
To make things easy for you, here’s a list of mosquito repellents suitable for babies and kids that will take care of those pesky bugs.
DEET
Studies have shown that DEET-containing repellents are amongst the most effective options for keeping bugs at bay.
However, it is recommended to use repellents with a DEET concentration of no more than 30% (a higher DEET concentration only means that it lasts much longer). Make sure to use the lowest concentration that works best for you.
Natural repellents
Most parents prefer natural repellents like the Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) and essential oils for their kids.
Although these are DEET-free, they may have to be re-applied regularly for best results. Do note that OLE is not recommended for kids below three years old.
Picaridin
Picaridin-containing repellents are safe to use for two-month-old babies and are also known to have a longer-lasting effect.
Since Picaridin is non-toxic and non-greasy, it is preferable to DEET. However, healthcare professionals recommend DEET, which has been studied and tested carefully for its safety.
This is a natural repellent device registered by the EPA and is highly effective in warding off mosquitoes within a closed space.
The small portable device lasts for up to six hours and is considered safer than coils, mosquito mats and strong sprays.
Insect repellent wristband
Won’t your kids love it if they don’t have to wait for insect repellent sprays to be applied before they rush out to play? Well, the Insect Repellent Wristband is a wonderful option.
Your kids can simply wear this bracelet and head out in the evenings. These wristbands are made with natural ingredients and are DEET-free.
Insect repellent wipes
If you prefer not to use lotions and sprays, then the convenient insect-repellent wipes are for you, especially when travelling.
These vanilla-scented DEET-free wipes can be carried anywhere and used quickly on the go.
Best Mosquito Repellent for Babies and Kids
Best DEET-free Insect repellent
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Best Mosquito Repellents in Singapore That Are Safe for Babies And Kids[/caption]
Is it possible to effectively protect your child with a DEET-free insect repellent? You can with Mama’s Choice Mozzbye Skin Protection Lotion.
Made only with the safest ingredients ideal for babies, this natural mosquito repellent lotion protects your baby’s skin from mosquito bites for up to 8 hours.
It uses a blend of andiroba seed oil, lavender oil, and citronella oil to protect the skin from itching, soothe the skin, and repel mosquitoes.
As it’s safe for babies, it’s just as great to use by everyone in the family!
Best Insect repellent with DEET
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Best Mosquito Repellents in Singapore That Are Safe for Babies And Kids[/caption]
Suppose you’re looking for a highly effective insect repellent containing DEET that is still suitable for kids.
In that case, the Controlled Release Family Insect Repellent contains a 20% DEET formula (lower concentration), which makes it a better choice than other repellents with DEET.
Not only is this repellent odourless, non-greasy and compatible with sunscreen, but it is also effective against all ticks and mosquitoes.
Best natural insect repellent
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Best Mosquito Repellents in Singapore That Are Safe for Babies And Kids[/caption]
You don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals with this natural insect repellent. Safe for your babies and fur babies, this DEET-free formula protects your entire family on an outdoor trip.
Organic lemongrass and citronella—known for their safe and effective bug-repellent properties—are part of the ingredients used.
Best insect repellent with Picaridin
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Best Mosquito Repellents in Singapore That Are Safe for Babies And Kids[/caption]
Sawyer Products Premium Insect Repellent is long-lasting with up to 14 hours of effective protection from mosquito-carrying Zika, West Nile virus, Chikungunya and Dengue.
Moreover, this non-toxic and non-greasy repellent also wards off ticks. In addition, it is fragrance-free and safe for use by the entire family.
Best Thermacell Radius Zone Insect Repellent
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Best Mosquito Repellents in Singapore That Are Safe for Babies And Kids[/caption]
The ultrasonic mosquito pest repellent has no poison, no smell, no noise, and no chemicals.
Mosquitoes, rats, cockroaches, ants, spiders, bed bugs and more will be driven away with this effective and easy-to-use electrical pest repeller. Eco-friendly, no radiation and safe to be installed at homes.
This mosquito repellent device has a coverage area of 60 square meters and also has a low electric power consumption.
Best Insect Repellent Wipes
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Best Mosquito Repellents in Singapore That Are Safe for Babies And Kids[/caption]
These insect-repellent wipes come with a unique scent from a combination of essential oils: Citronella, geranium, lemongrass, cedarwood, peppermint, and other oils.
These DEET-free wipes will ensure your child stays refreshed and protected from harmful mosquitoes!
Mosquito Repellent Price Comparison
Here's a price comparison of the best mosquito repellent for babies and kids for your quick reference:
| Product |
Prices in SGD |
| Mama’s Choice Mozzbye Skin Protection Lotion |
|
| Controlled Release Family Insect Repellent 4oz |
$61.73 |
|
Mambino Organics Natural Anti-Bug Repellent Spray
|
$20.19 |
| Sawyer Products Premium Insect Repellent with 20% Picaridin |
$76.11 |
| Ultrasonic Mosquito Pest Repellent |
$18.00 |
| Quantum Health Buzz Away Extreme Insect Repellent Wipes |
$61.83 |
Editor's Note: Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication. However, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
Prevent dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases
There are different ways to protect your child from mosquito-related diseases.
Ensure that your kids wear fully covered clothing when stepping outside and keep your younger babies dressed in lightweight, fully covering bodysuits at all times.
Using mosquito nets over the baby’s bed and installing mesh screens on the windows/doors are very useful in avoiding mosquitoes.
Ensure that the sleeping net is closed at all times so as to not let any bugs in. Carefully selecting a mosquito repellent for your kids is also important for preventing mosquitoes and dengue.
The listing provided above can help you choose the best mosquito repellent for babies and kids.
Most importantly, keep your surroundings clean and get rid of stagnant water areas where mosquitoes and bugs can easily breed.
If you have plant pots, pet dishes, coolers, etc., see to it that they are cleaned regularly. It will also help to add drops of kerosene oil to stagnant water areas.
Lastly, avoid exposing your kids to mosquitoes by keeping them indoors in the morning and evening hours, when mosquito numbers are at a maximum high.
It is definitely not possible to keep your kids indoors at all times and not travel to new places together.
Since we are exposed to mosquitoes more often, it’s essential to choose a mosquito repellent wisely and protect your child from serious mosquito-related illnesses.
The different preventive tips and insect repellents listed here will surely help you protect your kids from unwanted mosquito viruses.
This article was last updated on 3 March 2020.
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Sources: Healthline, Webmd, Babycenter
