To feel so guilty

[NoLongerAskedForID]

I sat with some friends and my 8 month old in the sun today, from 2-4. He was wearing shorts and a t shirt and I put factor 50 on his legs and arms twice and face once. I had two hats for him and kept putting them on as fast as he kept taking them off.

I'm usually so fastidious about sun exposure. He is ALWAYS in the shade. Always. Apart from today. I've just seen now that my neck is almost burned on the back, where I didn't apply sunscreen myself. The tops of my arms where I put factor 30 once are fine.

My LO was sitting between my legs and was shaded somewhat through the day, in addition I was pushing his pram for about 30 mins when he was of course in the shade. And he looked his usual alabaster self at 8pm bath time!

I just feel really worried now that I've seen the back of my own neck. How could i have been so stupid i almost want to wake him now to take another good look!

Don’t stress yourself. These things happen!

I saw on the news last night that the UV rays are extra strong this weekend and you can burn through your clothes at the moment.

I’m not sure what more you could have done. You kept him shaded, covered and sun screened with a hat on.

It's hard not to worry, but some vitamin d is good. Factor 50 is far more protective than none! You are doing really well with the suncream, hats and some shade.

Thank you I'm not normally such a worrier but I feel sun protection is something that is really within my control ..

Give yourself a break, you did everything you should x

I feel your pain. I have a very ginger and very pale DS who can burn in March. It's a miracle on a sunny day if he doesn't come back a tiny bit red somewhere even with liberal and frequent application of cream.

Your neck is “almost burned” by being unprotected for two hours. Your arms are fine.

The baby had factor 50, a hat, andeas partially shaded.

What’s the issue? What do you think has happened?

You got burnt. Your baby didn't. Non issue.

I don't understand the worry here. He didn't get burnt did he?

Some sunlight is good OP.

I'm celtic blonde colouring, my nieces are the same.
I put factor 50 on myself about 3 times and still burnt. We put the same factor 50 on my nieces about 4 times - they still went a bit pink.
Sometimes it doesn't matter what you do the sun will get through. Don't sweat it, put some water based cream or aloe vera on your DS after being out in the sun and if there's even a slight chance of having a burn it will soothe it.
As a PP said vitamin D from the sun is good for you x

I don't understand.

Your DS didn't get burned at all, you had him in the shade and he had appropriate suncream on. Why do you feel guilty?

Thanks all

I felt guilty because at the time of posting this, he was in bed and I had just discovered my sunburn. I became worried that he had also burned, and I couldn't go and check. I also started to think about the fact that I had him out in the mid day sun, which is something I have not done before now (I get him outside but always sit him in shade). So I felt guilty and worried. I'd find it as I was sitting with a group of friends, none of whom had babies themselves.

I don't want him to get rickets but equally the idea of a baby burning horrifies me. (And everyone else I'm sure). I'm sun phobic myself.

Anyway this morning - his arms are a little pink but nothing noticeable and everything else ok so panic averted.