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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:
Miniroofbox · 28/08/2021 18:16

Vest and sleep suit and babies will swelter in any kind of decent summer.

UserNameNameNameUser · 28/08/2021 18:17

@RunnerBeanz

If you knew the "bee in my bonnet" was recently losing people I love to skin cancer, would you still be shooting me down for this thread?

Sunburn in infancy is a huge deal and looks like greatly increases their skin cancer risk. I therefore think babies should be covered up - even if you push your baby in a pram's bassinet and their legs are exposed, it's likely their legs stick out beyond the bottom of the pram hood, so if you're taking them for a walk without permanent shade or the perfect set up of parasols, their legs may get burnt. Even a one-time exposure could be enough for them to develop skin cancer in later life, so not worth the risk. There are means of cooling a baby down so that they can still wear a sleepsuit/ something that covers everything exposed.

I mean this with all possible kindness. Get some help for your feelings around your loss, even if it’s just talking it through with friends and family, rather than winding yourself up thinking you can control the world like this.

A baby being pushed around the park in a romper suit is not going to lead directly to skin cancer.

NotMaryWhitehouse · 28/08/2021 18:18

@Princessandthepeas pass! I had a baby in NICU early this year and the advice was plastered all over and in their notes. It had actual clip art on it, so a while I guess! 😂

I was born in the 80s and my mum said plonking babies in the sun was very common for jaundice with all the mums she knew then.

BakedTattie · 28/08/2021 18:18

Babies can wear sun lotion.

Neverrains · 28/08/2021 18:19

There are means of cooling a baby down so that they can still wear a sleepsuit/ something that covers everything exposed

What are these means?

Miniroofbox · 28/08/2021 18:20

I’ve had skin cancer. My mums had it and my friends husband died of it.

I still can’t see the harm in letting a baby get a bit of sunshine on them in the uk on a summer day.

Not burning. Not out in the sun all day. But an odd minute or two will do no harm.

And the parents had a hood on the pram.

Miniroofbox · 28/08/2021 18:21

I was told to put DS at the window for jaundice after he came home from the hospital. He had light therapy in hospital but the midwife told me to set him in the sun.

That was years ago though.

Tinkywinkydinkydoo · 28/08/2021 18:24

I lived in Australia for years and both my babies lived in these rompers, as did many other babies in a warm country where sun safety is a very big thing so yes you are being very unreasonable and judgemental. Literally every hot country I’ve been too the babies and toddlers wear these!

riotlady · 28/08/2021 19:24

I’m very careful about sun burn myself but that doesn’t mean you can’t ever let a baby have some sunlight on their skin Confused I think you’re taking things to extremes here

hulahooper2 · 28/08/2021 19:36

Why can’t they wear sun cream?

PrincessNutella · 28/08/2021 22:36

The issue isn't the outfit, it is the shade. There should be an umbrella or other shade covering over the baby to keep the child from being hit by too much sunlight.

ABitPointlessReally · 28/08/2021 22:39

What a weird judgemental thread Confused

Crowtooyo · 28/08/2021 22:44

I'd rather put a short sleeved romper on them in this heat (it was hot where I was today) than overheat them in a sleepsuit. If the buggy isn't fully shaded then I'd place a light muslin over the legs to protect from sun.
Baby sitting on parents lap for short time is fine

BaringasMare · 28/08/2021 22:45

What a hilarious thing to be worked up about.

Theunamedcat · 28/08/2021 22:49

Of course they can wear sun cream they sell ones specifically for babies

Sunshine was reccomend for ds who suffered with jaundice too morning nap by the window move baby by midday

ViciousJackdaw · 28/08/2021 22:54

I was a jaundiced baby too. Under the grill for a couple of weeks then out in the garden all morning until it got too cold.

Rachie1973 · 28/08/2021 23:04

@RunnerBeanz

It's sunny in Yorkshire but not that hot, is what I'm trying to say! I saw them in a park, whilst also walking round the park - you tend to cross peoples' paths a few times when this happens. Yes 'unsafe' probably a tad overdramatic but I guess I was thinking that a warning on products like this for babies that they should still be kept out of the sun would be very helpful. Obviously sleepsuits wouldn't mean they shouldn't be kept out of the sun, though! I'm sorry for upsetting people this much - the crux here was me caring about sun safety, so I'll bow out now!
We don’t need warning on baby clothes ffs.
TheKeatingFive · 28/08/2021 23:09

Fuck me but this is scraping the barrel of things to get judgy about.

OP, take up a hobby or something, this is ridiculous.

Haudyourwheesht · 28/08/2021 23:11

@RunnerBeanz

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?

And the next in the list of things that didn't happen is...

Moelwynbach · 28/08/2021 23:14

Why the heck would you not put short sleeves on a baby ? They feel the heat the same way adults do. I wouldn't put long sleeves on in this weather.

cricketmum84 · 28/08/2021 23:15

@SmidgenofaPigeon

I think random judgement directed at new parents is pointless and irresponsible, actually.
This x 100
RicherThanYow · 28/08/2021 23:20

This seems like misdirected anger and judgement. It’s not the fault of the short sleeved rompers that babies are (possibly) being exposed to the sun. Of course they should be in the shade under 6 months. Those rompers have been a godsend to me this summer, it’s been bloody hot inside and out. Sun cream for all exposed bits and keep baby in shade wherever possible when out, just common sense.

fizbosshoes · 28/08/2021 23:25

I cant see how an item of clothing can be deemed irresponsible....?

SonicStars · 28/08/2021 23:42

One of my kids was born in a heatwave. The midwife on her home visit said that we were the first family she'd seen that day that had dressed the baby appropriately for the heat. People just wrap them up far too much.

A vest and sleepsuit in the summer is probably far too hot for a little one and definitely so if you're worried about the sun.

Mummyoflittledragon · 28/08/2021 23:48

My dd was also in just vests or romper outfits. Perfect for the summer. I had a sun shade, which completely covered her. The clothes aren’t the issue. The lack of appropriate protection is.

One of my family members has had skin cancer twice. I’m sorry you lost your family member. However, this is misdirected anger.

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