Page 3 | MIL thinks I’m being unreasonable!

ZenNudist · 24/07/2024 12:46

I'm team MIL

Ponoka7 · 24/07/2024 12:45

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/#:~:text=Children%20and%20sun%20protection&text=Children%20aged%20under%206%20months,particularly%20from%2011am%20to%203pm
It's strong sunlight that they should be kept out of. I'd be taking advantage of them being able to be out in the sun in the evening. I'm also with your MIL.

Close up of a woman dispensing white sun lotion on to her hand from an orange bottle

Sunscreen and sun safety

Find out how to protect your skin and eyes from UV sun damage, plus advice on using sunbeds and checking moles.

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety#:~:text=Children%20and%20sun%20protection&text=Children%20aged%20under%206%20months,particularly%20from%2011am%20to%203pm

MsCactus · 24/07/2024 12:43

HazelEagle · 23/07/2024 18:58

NHS guidance is no direct sunlight for babies under 6 months old. Link: www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/first-aid-and-safety/safety/safety-in-the-sun/

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Sunlight is good for vitamin D. UV exposure is also a treatment for eczema, which my baby had.

Like everything, you need moderation with this. If you cover your baby entirely from sunlight they'll get vitamin D deficient.

Ditto if you don't cover them from midday sun they could get burnt.

I think you're covering him too much, so YABU

VJBR · 24/07/2024 12:43

Kids are growing up with rickets due to no vitamin D exposure. At 5 oclock in the afternoon there is absolutely no problem especially if you are in the UK.

RaspberryBeretxx · 24/07/2024 12:40

I was probably a bit more relaxed than you with my babies (although kept them 99% in the shade and under a hat etc) BUT it's up to you and baby's Dad not MIL what you do with your 10 week old. She doesn't sound very kind implying you're being silly.

MultiplaLight · 24/07/2024 12:39

Hat and baby gro is enough. Your mil is right.

Feelinadequate23 · 24/07/2024 12:37

Your baby, your choice. MIL really shouldn't be offering an opinion on this.

You know your baby best and you should go with your gut based on how strong you feel the sun is etc. Just make sure he's not overheating and can breathe freely (I'm sure you're already doing this!).

Finnishline · 24/07/2024 12:34

I quite often walk my baby in his carrier at this time and he wears a hat and leggings, it just feels wrong to have his skin in the sun? Plus without the hat it’s in his eyes. Just don’t cover baby up entirely with the muslin because they’ll bake.

Elphamouche · 24/07/2024 12:26

I’m with you OP so probably going to get shot down in flames. I have a 17 week old, no sun on her. Either sunshade over the pram or she’s got long sleeves/leggings on.

Willsean · 24/07/2024 11:58

There's unlikely to be an issue either way. But why assume she's being ridiculous when you could probably use practical advice from someone who's done it before?

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 24/07/2024 11:45

HazelEagle · 23/07/2024 18:51

I take direct sun exposure quite literally for LO who’s 10 weeks old. She thinks that as it’s 5pm when we go for a walk in carrier and UV Level is 2 or less that I’m being silly for covering him up fully when out for a walk.

I think that's perfectly reasonable at 10weeks and in line with current medical advice. Baby skin will burn in no time at all and you give no context as to the temperature you were going out at, the length of time the baby would be in the sun for and how fair skinned they are.

Would I bother if I was popping to the corner shop on a grey day, probably not other than a sun hat; but it's been scorching over the past couple of weeks and we didn't come out until well after 5pm so context is everything.

Starlightstarbright3 · 23/07/2024 21:09

My Ds came and sat outside with me suggested by midwife .. He has jaundice , was considered helpful

CandyLeBonBon · 23/07/2024 21:07

Depends on a few things:
How long are you out?
Where are you in the world?
What skin type?

At 5pm in the uk currently, with a family history/make up of southern Mediterranean or darker skin type, I'd say you were being ridiculous, but 5pm in Greece, with a very fair skinned family out for a 3 hour hike with no shade? Totally different. Context is everything.

Ponderingwindow · 23/07/2024 20:43

Different people, different skin types. We protected dc’s skin as if she might have inherited my tendency to burn within moments, even in low sun. DH on the other hand could be outside for hours before picking up a hint of color. He is just much darker than DD or I. An infant can get plenty of sun indirectly, through dappled trees, and in all those moments you think, well we will just be a minute.

It turns out she is much closer to me, though thankfully not quite as severe a case.

Proudtobeanortherner · 23/07/2024 20:36

HazelEagle · 23/07/2024 18:51

I take direct sun exposure quite literally for LO who’s 10 weeks old. She thinks that as it’s 5pm when we go for a walk in carrier and UV Level is 2 or less that I’m being silly for covering him up fully when out for a walk.

Your MiL (and everyone r else who thinks you are unreasonable) is probably also one of those people who doesn’t understand that babies should be laid flat but instead crumples them in a car seat or pushchair for hours on end.
There may be no apparent ill effects now but who knows what will happen years down the line. The research and guidance is all there if they choose to read it, which they won’t 🥹

Universalsnail · 23/07/2024 20:22

I agree with your MIL. I think you are being ott.

LostTheMarble · 23/07/2024 20:11

ShouldhavebeencalledAppollo · 23/07/2024 19:05

Depends on what fully covering the baby means

Yes, babies get overheated very easily so I’m
wondering what this means as well.

coodawoodashooda · 23/07/2024 20:10

heavenisaplaceonearth · 23/07/2024 18:58

I think I’m with MIL but it’s your baby so do as you please.

This

ChaiTeaOrTaiChi · 23/07/2024 20:07

VivaVivaa · 23/07/2024 19:19

I mean no skin showing basically i.e. wearing a hat and a muslin over top of skin if bare

I can’t say I would have thought to do this at 5pm but I don’t think you are wrong. PPs talking about vitamin D are wrong. Standard advice is, for babies < 6 months, all vitamin D should come from dietary supplementation, not sun exposure.

This.

Chickenuggetsticks · 23/07/2024 20:05

If it’s after 5pm then no, if it was midday then yeah…maybe.

Spirallingdownwards · 23/07/2024 20:03

MIL on this occasion is not the one being unreasonable

Mumoftwo1316 · 23/07/2024 20:03

That very same page that op linked, said you shouldn't give children under 5 undiluted juice or smoothies. At all! Who in the whole country follows that advice?!

I mean sure, I usually dilute my 3yos juice. But not religiously.

You have to accept sometimes that NHS advice for children/babies errs greatly on the side of overcautious.

GoldenRetrieverBert · 23/07/2024 20:02

Another one with MIL.

TeaGinandFags · 23/07/2024 19:59

HazelEagle · 23/07/2024 18:58

NHS guidance is no direct sunlight for babies under 6 months old. Link: www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/first-aid-and-safety/safety/safety-in-the-sun/

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Bugger!

Mine turned quite brown when tiny.

Seem to still be fine. (29 and 36).

But you need to do what's best. Just don't take the NHS at its word. It'll be changing next week.

Tibssix · 23/07/2024 19:47

I'm hyper about a lot of things but I am also with your MIL here.