What Kind of Insect Repellent is Safe for Babies?

If you’ve ever taken your baby into the great outdoors, whether just on the deck at home, or a night at a backcountry hut, you’ll know that insect bites can are not fun. Any parent knows a sad baby can mean a sad family, and you don't want your lovely outdoor time ruined by biting insects!

But what you need to know: choosing an insect repellent that’s truly safe for babies isn’t as simple as grabbing whatever. Babies have delicate skin, developing systems, and can’t tell us when something stings, smells too strong, or makes them feel unwell. So, how do you pick the right one?

Let’s break down the most important things to look for.

1. It should be 100% natural

A baby’s skin is their largest organ, just like ours. But with their small body weight, what is a small amount for us is actually a huge amount for them. This means that what might be a tiny amount of chemicals for an adult can be a much bigger dose for a young baby’s growing body.

When you use synthetic chemical repellents like DEET or picaridin, even in low concentrations, some of it can be absorbed through the skin. For a baby, they are much more sensitive to these ingredients, and can have catastrophic reactions. Choosing a natural insect repellent made with whole herbs and safe, plant-based ingredients reduces this risk while still offering effective protection.

2. Avoid essential oils in baby repellents

While many online articles will lead you to believe that essential oils are the most amazing thing ever and safe in any quantities because they are 'natural', this isn't true. Asbestos and cyanide are also natural but not something you'd want to lather your baby in.

Essential oils can be fantastic for adults, but for babies under 6 months (and in many cases, under 2 years) they’re not recommended at all. Their skin barrier is thinner, and their organs are still developing, so essential oils can irritate skin, cause allergic reactions, or even impact breathing.

Even “gentle” oils like lavender or tea tree can be too strong for a baby’s sensitive system. That’s why the safest baby repellent relies on herbal infusions rather than concentrated oils. You still get the natural plant properties - just in a much gentler, safer form.

Essential oils contain only a plants volatile oils, while an infusion contains the whole plant, including its the plants natural protective properties which make it safe for handling. This is why for example rosemary essential oil is not safe for children under 10 years old, but children of all ages can eat rosemary. Same for the likes of eucalyptus, peppermint, and more.

Essential oils do have a time and place, but it is always better to rely on the whole plant from the garden where possible. For babies this is doubly important. Never use an insect repellent with essential oils in it for baby.

3. It needs to be easy to use

Kids are wriggly. And as a parent, you don't have time to be faffing around with sticky or oily - especially when the sandflies are swarming all around.

A good baby repellent needs to be easy and quick to apply smoothly. It should be safe to reapply as often as you need and non-toxic, because babies often rub or suck on their hands, toes, or manage to rub their faces.

4. It needs to be tested in real outdoor conditions

A natural insect repellent that only theoretically works isn't going to help you when you're on day 2 of a 6 day camping trip. You need something that's been tested in deep bush with great reviews.

The BEST insect repellent that's safe for babies ⬇️

After years of tramping, camping, and adventuring with our own babies, we made the repellent we wished we’d had from the start - our Baby-Safe Insect Repellent. Honestly this was a game-changer come babies #2 & 3 (Sorry my poor firstborn test subject!)

But thanks to those early adventures with out firstborn, I was able to formulate New Zealand's FIRST natural insect repellent that's safe for babies from birth.

Essential oil free: Made with gentle, whole-herb infusions with organic herbs such as mānuka, lavender, and kawakawa.
100% natural & DEET-free: No harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, or unnecessary fillers.
Non-Toxic: Safe if bubba decides to chew on their hands!
Safe from birth: We’ve used it on our own babies from their very first camping trips at just a few weeks old.
Tested in real conditions: From sandfly infested West Coast trails to calm summer picnics in the backyard.

It’s keep your baby comfortable and bite-free without worrying about what’s going on their skin. And because it’s gentle enough for the tiniest adventurer, you can use it confidently on sensitive skin and around faces and hands.

You can find it here ready for your next family adventure.

And what if my baby does get bitten by a sandfly?

Don't worry we've all been there - forgotten to apply the insect repellent (Or maybe it's just me!).

Our Kawakawa Balm is perfect for taking the itch away almost instantly! The perfect item to have on hand for those just incase moments. And most definitely a camping necessity.