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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to think the beach is no place for a 2 week old in this heat?

124 replies

Quilty · 14/07/2013 16:00

Just seen someone post a pic on FB of them sat in one of those pop up tents on the beach with their 2 week old baby. Ok so its protecting it from the UV rays but from experience those tents get so hot!

We've spent most of the weekend indoors with our 5week old with curtains drawn as it keeps the house a little bit cooler and yes, I'm longing to be out enjoying the weather but my baby comes first!

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 14/07/2013 16:53

No idea. But hats off to wanting to go to the beach full stop in this weather-and with a 2 week old in tow, I am quite impressed TBH. Do they have older children that would enjoy the beach though?

missmapp · 14/07/2013 16:56

PFB are treated with kid gloves by most people- give the op a break.

YABU, but understandably so. Babies will be fine if kept cool and protected from heat. If you have older children, the whole family are important. Unless the baby was out in the sun for the whole day, then all would be fine.

noblegiraffe · 14/07/2013 16:59

If they were there first thing in the morning it was probably relatively cool.

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 14/07/2013 17:00

missmapp

I agree

5madthings · 14/07/2013 17:00

www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9278015.htm

They are like this, protect from the sun but designed to let air circulate, you just position them right. Very useful when we were at the beach last week there was a family with a little baby in one whilst their elder two were playing and mum snuggled inside and fed baby or dad went in and sat and held, rocked baby who seems perfectly happy :)

LadyMilfordHaven · 14/07/2013 17:00

I went with mine at 2 weeks. And a 2 year old and A 4 year old. Was nice

5madthings · 14/07/2013 17:02

m.tesco.com/mt/www.tesco.com/direct/tesco-upf-50-pop-up-sun-tent/207-8002.prd

This is the one the family me had, they look very good.

Myliferocks · 14/07/2013 17:03

We went on holiday to Weymouth when DC4 was 4 weeks old. We spent most of the week on the beach.
Life doesn't stand still just because you've had a baby when you have older children!

Flobbadobs · 14/07/2013 17:07

I would imagine that a happy medium needs to be thought of here.
The baby on the beach would probably be smothered in SPF50 and there is usually a nice breeze on most sea fronts. Allow the baby's parents the benefit of the doubt, just because they are not following your example doesn't make them unsuitable to be in charge of a baby!
And relax, it will be fine to take your LO out in sunny weather! At this time of the day especially all will be well and baby will benefit enormously from the fresh air. A darkened room cannot ever circulate the air as well as half an hour outside.
YABU to judge. You need to relax a little (I say this nicely! x)

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 14/07/2013 17:07

In Sicily I took 9 month old DS out in 40 degree heat in a t-shirt and cotton shorts, no socks. Every other woman stopped me to tell me that he must be far too cold. And to put a vest on him.

Flobbadobs · 14/07/2013 17:10

Tondealyo obviously the vest obsession is Europe wide not just a northern England thing as I thought!

Flobbadobs · 14/07/2013 17:10

Tondelayo sorry Blush

Original poster
Quilty · 14/07/2013 17:10

No they don't have any other children.

The tent is a camping dome type one, not the beach shelter type so the opening isn't very big. They are the sort of person that always posts photos of what they're doing when they're doing it so I doubt it was a picture from earlier in the day but of course it is a possibility!

OP posts:
QuintessentialOldDear · 14/07/2013 17:13

I more people were more judgey, and cared more for the welfare of others, and were not so scared to keep their beaks out, then maybe we would not see so many horror stories in the news relating to young parents and their babies/children with fatal outcomes.

But that is just my tuppence worth.

pooquickly · 14/07/2013 17:19

tbh i wold have stayed inside too with a newborn. However i just went outside with 3yo and it's cooler out there, in the shade, than it is in my house.
Newborns don't let you know if it's too hot which is why we get all this stuff from HV's about how to dress them, and clothing togs etc. So yes i agree, esp tent. But it's their baby, if they want to do that then let them.

NancyOsbourne · 14/07/2013 17:23

I don't think it's any of your business to be honest. Each parent makes their own choices - they could say you are being unreasonable for not giving your child fresh air!!

You sound awfully judgemental and a little jealous. Get on and live your own life.

zoraqueenofzeep · 14/07/2013 17:24

I can't think of being indoors with all the curtains closed as being particularly healthyConfused, we have both back doors and all the windows open here because otherwise it's horribly stuffy, everybody including babies need air. No matter what the weather it's always healthier for babies to be out in the fresh air than stuck indoors. As long as they're protected with appropriate coverings, then who cares?

LittleBearPad · 14/07/2013 17:28

Babies were wearing bobble hats in Greece in April as it was only 25 degrees, and were wrapped in fleece blankets. OP, you really shouldn't judge.

I'm impressed by the parents ability to get their PFB out to the beach after two weeks. I was still utterly flummoxed at that stage.

peteypiranha · 14/07/2013 17:30

wtf you have spent all day inside? Nothing wrong with going beach with a little baby. Most people take little babies down the beach.

Original poster
Quilty · 14/07/2013 17:33

We've been to the woods for a walk where its a lot cooler and shaded and been out in the garden when there's shade in the morning and evening so we're getting plenty of fresh air thanks. Sorry to drip feed but didn't predict so many assumptions to be made. Seems I'm not the only judgey one on this thread.

OP posts:
Original poster
Quilty · 14/07/2013 17:34

Oh and all my windows are open, the curtains just prevent the greenhouse effect.

OP posts:
peteypiranha · 14/07/2013 17:34

I live in a place where summers are hot, and everyone I know has took babies down the beach practically from birth. I think it is very strange you are judging this.

Fakebook · 14/07/2013 17:35

I wouldn't take a 2 week old to the beach and put them in a tent. Did they keep the baby hydrated with extra sips of water? Overheating can cause lethargy so I doubt a baby would be able to cry out to let the parents know.

ImNotBloody14 · 14/07/2013 17:35

Well people can only go bu what you post and in your op you said youd spent most of the weekend indoors and were longing to get out and enjoy the weather which does seem to imply you hadnt gotten out of the house

badguider · 14/07/2013 17:36

Why can't people just believe that MOST other parents love their babies and are not hurting them just because they're doing something other than you would choose to do.

And the poster who is comparing judging a family taking their newborn to the beach to 'horror stories on the news with fatal outcomes' is being really disingenuous - yes, many babies live in terrible terrible conditions with drug and alcohol addicted parents and neglect and violence all around... NOT comparable to a family enjoing the beach on a warm day!!