Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

MIL thinks I’m being unreasonable!

113 replies

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.

OP posts:
Muffin101 · 23/07/2024 19:37

You’re being quite over the top about this in my opinion and I fully agree with your mother in law but at the end of the day, it’s your baby, so really, your choice I guess!

Elliesmumma · 23/07/2024 19:35

I think you’re being slightly over cautious, but this is your baby and so it’s your rules.
But to all the people saying “baby needs vitamin D” no, he doesn’t. If breastfed he should be having daily vitamin D supplements and if formula fed it has their daily vit D supplement in it.

Justcallmebebes · 23/07/2024 19:34

It's your baby and what you feel is best goes, but no sunlight equals no vitamin D equals rickets. There is a happy meldium OP

ProvincialLady2024 · 23/07/2024 19:33

Am I right in guessing that this is your first baby?
Obviously do what feels right for you.

Mulhollandmagoo · 23/07/2024 19:32

I dunno, where I am it was pretty sunny out at 5pm, we were at the park and my 5yo had a hat on. If my baby was in the carrier op I would have a full babygrow (light cotton one) and a hat. Where exactly are you putting the muslin?

Sapphire387 · 23/07/2024 19:31

I don't understand how this is a 'thing' between you. Your baby - she doesn't get equal say. Not a fan of interfering MIL's unless something dangerous is happening. Your baby doesn't need sun on his skin at this age.

RivkaTheBold · 23/07/2024 19:29

It's your first. You'll chill out and agree with her one day.

Borninabarn32 · 23/07/2024 19:23

Not her baby so it's not really an argument.

saraclara · 23/07/2024 19:23

HazelEagle · 23/07/2024 19:12

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

Show quote history

Massively over the top. I think you misunderstand what the site means by direct sunlight. 5pm sunlight at this time of year is beneficial, not dangerous.

Screamingabdabz · 23/07/2024 19:23

It all depends doesn’t it? A little bit of sunshine with a hat and sitting in the shade is fine. Full blown high spf/sun exposure on new skin is not. Eventually the government guidelines will dry up and you’ll have to parent using your own initiative and what you think is sensible and reasonable. That’s what your MIL, and all experienced parents, will be trying to convey. A bit of pragmatism and perspective.

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.

commonground · 23/07/2024 19:19

Gosh, there are many things I am lax on as a parent, but I'm with Baz Lurhmann all the way on this. Sunscreen (or in this case, covering up) is one of the most important thing you can do for your kids. I'm with you.

And also, I am a MIL and I would NEVER pass judgement on my DIL's parenting (unless she was prodding them with a poker or somesuch).

Pottedpalm · 23/07/2024 19:17

A bit of evening sun is good.

Pigeonqueen · 23/07/2024 19:16

Massively over worrying. Not worth falling out with your MIL over.

PeriIsKickingMyButt · 23/07/2024 19:14

At 5pm you're being massively over the top

ShouldhavebeencalledAppollo · 23/07/2024 19:13

HazelEagle · 23/07/2024 19:12

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

Show quote history

i am with your Mil

Original poster
HazelEagle · 23/07/2024 19:12

TwattyMcFuckFace · 23/07/2024 19:05

This ^^

Show quote history

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

OP posts:
OnHisSweaterAlreadyMomsSpaghetti · 23/07/2024 19:11

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/

Show quote history

Yes but they don’t expect them to live like vampires. 5pm sun is absolutely fine. Just not middle of the day when it’s blazing hot

SquigglePigs · 23/07/2024 19:10

At 10 weeks I completely agree with you OP. Their skin is too delicate at this age to be exposed to direct sunlight in summer.

BiggerBoat1 · 23/07/2024 19:10

Sorry, but I think MIL is right.

NewName24 · 23/07/2024 19:08

Yup, I'm with your MiL too.

A walk round the block / to the local shop / to take an older child somewhere at 5pm (presuming you are in the UK) is fine.

We all need some sunlight to get some vitamin D

TwattyMcFuckFace · 23/07/2024 19:05

ShouldhavebeencalledAppollo · 23/07/2024 19:05

Depends on what fully covering the baby means

This ^^

ShouldhavebeencalledAppollo · 23/07/2024 19:05

Depends on what fully covering the baby means

Topseyt123 · 23/07/2024 19:04

I'm with your MIL, generally.

I would have used strong suncream and a sunshade earlier in the day, or stayed indoors if it was extremely hot, but after 5 I would say all is fine in short doses.

I couldn't get mine to keep hats of any description on when they were babies. They just yanked them off and threw them out of the pram/pushchair.

Ailbhe123 · 23/07/2024 19:04

How are you covering him up? If its a blanket over the hood of the pram that's a no. I hate when I see this. Poor babies are getting baked..

Swipe left for the next trending thread