Is DEET over 30pct Safe for Babies 12–24 months?
For toddlers 12–24 months, DEET over 30pct is best avoided. AAP recommends no insect repellent of any kind for infants under 2 months; and a maximum of 30% DEET concentration for older children.
Why this rating?
AAP recommends no insect repellent of any kind for infants under 2 months; and a maximum of 30% DEET concentration for older children. Higher concentrations are not appropriate for children.
Editorial summary
This summary is editorial and is not part of the reviewed rating above. Ratings are unchanged.
At 12 to 24 months
Toddlers play outdoors and put their hands in their mouths. Use only the amount needed on exposed skin and clothing, keep the product at no more than 30 percent DEET, and wash it off when you come indoors. The CDC advises avoiding oil of lemon eucalyptus and PMD products until age 3.
What DEET is
DEET is the most widely studied active ingredient in insect repellents. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that repellents used on children contain no more than 30 percent DEET, and the CDC recommends 10 to 30 percent DEET for children older than 2 months. Sources note that concentrations above 30 percent do not give additional protection, and that a 10 percent product protects for a shorter time than a 30 percent one, so a lower concentration can be enough for a brief outing.
Under 2 months
For babies younger than 2 months the AAP does not recommend insect repellent of any kind. Protective clothing, covering a stroller or carrier with mosquito netting, and avoiding peak biting times are the practical options.
Other active ingredients
The CDC advises avoiding products that contain oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol (PMD) for children under 3 years. Whatever product you choose, apply it as directed on the label, use only what you need on exposed skin and clothing, and wash it off when the child comes indoors. Our entry rates DEET over 30 percent as Avoid because the extra concentration adds exposure without adding protection.
In short
In short, no repellent under 2 months, no more than 30 percent DEET after that, and no oil of lemon eucalyptus or PMD under 3 years. Clothing, netting and avoiding dawn and dusk, when many mosquitoes bite, reduce how much repellent is needed, and your pediatrician can advise on areas with insect-borne disease.
How DEET over 30pct is rated by age
The same ingredient can carry a different rating as a child grows. These are the ratings for each age group that has a guide for DEET over 30pct.
| Age group | Rating |
|---|---|
| babies 0–12 months | Avoid |
| toddlers 12–24 months | Avoid |
Other age group
Is DEET over 30pct safe for babies 0–12 months?Sources
- AAP — regulatory_or_public_health_body
Reviewed by Morvarid Nikousokhantayar, MSc Nutrition, Certified Naturopath & Nutritionist — last reviewed September 27, 2026.
This is general feeding information, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about your child's allergies and needs.
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