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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think shortsleeved rompers for babies are pointless and irresponsible?

143 replies

RunnerBeanz · 28/08/2021 15:47

Saw a tiny baby in one of those short-sleeved romper things today...can only have been a few weeks old. Firstly in their pram (which wasn't particularly in the shade, no parasol), then on parents' laps, midday sun bearing down. Why do people buy these things, for babies of this age, when they should be covering them up and can't yet wear suncream? Am I unreasonable to think they're pointless and irresponsible - and that there's not really a situation where vest and sleepsuit won't do?

OP posts:
aaaaah · 28/08/2021 15:49

If a vest would do then a romper is just like a vest with leggy bits?

SmidgenofaPigeon · 28/08/2021 15:49

I think random judgement directed at new parents is pointless and irresponsible, actually.

ParkheadParadise · 28/08/2021 15:51

Same thoughts as SmidgenofaPigeon

aaaaah · 28/08/2021 15:52

Can they not wear sunscreen? My child's sunscreen doesn't say anything about an age limit

Pigeonpocket · 28/08/2021 15:52

So because you saw one baby wearing one in the sun, you think the romper is to blame and not the parents?

I used short sleeved rompers on my newborn all the time, they were born in a heatwave. Vests were a massive pain over cloth nappies, rompers had more room in the bum. And the rompers with short sleeves and long legs were great for unpredictable weather later on when you could stick a cardi on easily if it got cold.

3cats4poniesandababy · 28/08/2021 15:52

Umm what gives you the right to judge someone.

Maybe the baby had suncream on.....

Just because it isn't what you would do doesn't mean it is wrong.

I don't judge parents who only dress babies in sleepsuit and vests so don't judge me for putting outfits on my baby. A romper isn't exactly an uncomfortable outfit for a baby to wear

Original poster
RunnerBeanz · 28/08/2021 15:53

@aaaaah

If a vest would do then a romper is just like a vest with leggy bits?
I really meant 'vest AND sleepsuit', and anyway, a vest isn't trying to be outerwear - I think my concern is that people think it's 'safe' to dress small babies in them because they're sold as cute outfits.
OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 28/08/2021 15:53

My DS wore them last year when it was really hot because they were practical. He would have melted in a vest and sleepsuit.

8dpwoah · 28/08/2021 15:53

Sleepsuit with feet and full arms could easily be too hot, rompers allow a bit of air flow. Having had a heatwave baby I will always defend the romper as a useful bit of kit.

The issue is the pram wasn't in the shade, surely, not the clothing? Plus I'm also jealous that I'm not somewhere it's rompers in the shade weather tbh.

Hardbackwriter · 28/08/2021 15:56

My first baby was born in a week where the average temperature was 31° in the daytime. He mostly was just in a nappy but for taking him out he had short sleeved rompers. He'd have boiled in sleepsuits (which I generally don't share the absolute MN devotion to - I think they're faffy and it's annoying to have to change the whole thing if they've just been a bit sick). I don't really get the point about the sun - however a newborn is dressed you need to keep them out of the sun because they have faces.

AlmostSummer21 · 28/08/2021 15:56

You mustn't be in the SE, poor baby would be frozen today, not needing sunscreen!!

If it's as hot as you say, then no, I wouldn't put a baby in a sleep suit - too hot!
But I would keep them in the shade.

Original poster
RunnerBeanz · 28/08/2021 15:57

I'm sorry if you think it's judgemental - essentially I found it an upsetting sight as effective sun protection is really important to me. Unless advice has changed my understanding was that suncream shouldn't be used on under 6 months? This is my main concern here - a baby that little shouldn't be being exposed to the sun like that.

OP posts:
shouldistop · 28/08/2021 15:58

If course rompers aren't unsafe Hmm having a newborn in the direct sunlight is irresponsible, the clothes aren't to blame.

Hardbackwriter · 28/08/2021 15:58

I think my concern is that people think it's 'safe' to dress small babies in them because they're sold as cute outfits

But it is safe to dress small babies in them. Did you mean to type 'chainmail' rather than 'rompers' or something, because you're being very weird about pretty standard baby clothes.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 28/08/2021 15:59

DD2 was a hot baby. From April to September we couldn't take her in the car for more than 30mins wearing anything more than a romper as she would cook in the car seat. Vest and sleepsuit would have made her ill.

Babies are very good at telling you if they are too cold. Too hot they can get sleepy

PeonyTime · 28/08/2021 15:59

DS1 lived in them his first (and second) summers.
Babies arent always outside, and a nappy and a loose romper was plenty of clothing for just lying on me.

Willthewashingeverend · 28/08/2021 16:00

Whaaaat?! Of course it is a suitable outfit if its hot. A vest AND sleepsuit would be overkill in the heat. I live in a hot country and my baby will wear rompers for 6 months of the year....I just keep them in the shade. I'd get a hobby I'd I were you so you have something else to focus on and not spend your time judging others parenting.

Blitzes · 28/08/2021 16:00

The romper isn’t the issue. They’re perfectly fine especially in hot weather to allow airflow much better than a sleepsuit however the parents putting the baby in direct sunshine with no share are irresponsible

Echobelly · 28/08/2021 16:01

If you're talking about loose short-sleeved short-legged one pieces I they were my absolute favourite thing to put on babies when it's hot as they are nice and cool and easy to put on.

NB, this idea seems to have been getting stronger and stronger in the last 10 years that babies will somehow burn to a crisp if they're exposed to the sun for a moment and this really bugs me. I hear about people driving themselves crazy that they 'can't go on holiday anywhere hot with a baby', or pancking because they went out for a short walk without a sunshade and it was sunnier than they expected and what if their baby was harmed. Calm the hell down! Babies aren't flammable! They have been around since before there was sunscreen and they've done OK!

aaaaah · 28/08/2021 16:01

A summer born baby is going to get too hot in a sleepsuit if its a hot day. My baby was born in a heatwave so lived in a vest. Just kept them out the sun. That's the bit to focus on.

Pigeonpocket · 28/08/2021 16:03

I think my concern is that people think it's 'safe' to dress small babies in them because they're sold as cute outfits.

And it's safe to dress a baby in a full on sleepsuit plus vest in hot weather? Babies are notoriously crap at regulating their temperature. Not only would a sleepsuit have the same risk of sunburn as a romper (face/head/hands are all still exposed), it would also have an extra risk of overheating.

Babies should be in the shade whatever they're wearing. You really think a baby in a sleepsuit in full midday sun would somehow be safe?

hedgehogger1 · 28/08/2021 16:03

I'm thinking the idea of a romper in my head and the OPs are very different. No idea how it can be unsafe. Sticking a baby in full sun on a hot day isn't good no matter what they're wearing

Fernando072020 · 28/08/2021 16:04

My son was born on July, I live in Europe. It gets in the mid 30s here. He lived in rompers and vests last year. I didn't take him out and expose him to the sun though.

I find it odd that you're blaming an item of clothing for a baby being in the sun. My midwife even told me most mums cover their babies far too warmly in the summer and it's good to see I just had him in a romper.

SylvanianFrenemies · 28/08/2021 16:04

This type of thread is why mumsnet has a certain reputation in some quarters.