Friend's taken baby to the beach today!

[ItsTheHumidity21]

I just seen my friend post a photo on social media of her and her baby at the beach. AIBU to think she is irresponsible for doing that? She's in a hotter part of the country in the south east. The beach actually looked empty in the background which you would think might have said something to her.

I guess I'm on the other extreme. I'm a worrier about my children (I have a toddler and baby) and we're inside with windows closed, curtains drawn, fans on, ice lollies out and Disney films on. Just makes me anxious and kind of angry that someone could do that to their baby.

YANBU, there’s no way I’m taking my toddlers out today at all and I didn’t yesterday either. My NDN erected a gazebo and thinks it’s perfectly fine for her 3 year old to run around at peak time. I had heat stroke as a young child on holiday, it’s no joke.

Beach is probably empty mainly because it's a Tuesday morning and most people are at work and school. Those who are free will make their own judgements.

Presumably she has shade for baby? If she went this morning it would have been much cooler than the middle of the day?

Also, you'd probably have more luck in making her aware of your concerns if you spoke to her rather than asking on here. What does this thread achieve other than making you feel superior?

Not really your concern as long as the child can come in and have a drink or close to stay in. Not everyone wants to stay locked in with toddler until winter.

Your friend is an idiot.

Personally I don't see that much of an issue. We have 2 DC's now aged 8 and 6 but even as babies they coped extremely well in the heat. We always take necessary precautions, sun cream, water, shade etc and they are very mindful of the sun and heat.

We have always travelled to countries with temperatures reaching 40 degrees some days and we've never had any issues.

Just makes me anxious and kind of angry that someone could do that to their baby

That baby is probably completely fine. The beach is cool, there's cold water to get into, she will have brought shade and sun cream and cold drinks, no doubt.

Babies go to beaches all the time in hot weather. Mind your own

As long as she is taking the necessary precautions, shade, hat, sunscreen etc, then it's no problem.

What do you think parents do in hot countries? Babies don't sit indoors until they become toddlers.

Agreed. It’s going to cool down tomorrow, couldn’t the beach wait until then. I know it’s not nice being cooped up with kids, but the beach in high 30’s is ridiculous with a baby in my opinion.

Another reason I have absolved myself of all photo sharing sites, people being incensed by other people doing things they wouldn’t do themselves and coming over all villager and pitchfork.

How can a *BABY 'come in'??? Let alone when they're on a BEACH?

She’s a complete idiot as are the people on here suggesting that the alternative to taking your baby to a beach on the hottest day in UK history is to ‘keep them locked up until Winter’.’

When it was very hot in 2020 we went to the beach. It was 20 degrees cooler and absolutely lovely. (Break in lockdown laws before I get flamed). I think she might have the right idea.

It isn't the choice I'd have made - we're also indoors in the cool today - but I don't think it's an outrageous one if she has shade, hats etc. I know loads of people who have taken babies on beach/pool holidays to places at this sort of temperature and while again I wouldn't fancy it myself I think it's a pretty normal and reasonable parental choice.

How can a BABY 'come in'??? Let alone when they're on a BEACH?*

@WinterMusings calm down and MYOB. A parent knows when it's time to rein it in, what do you, random mumsnetter, know?

Yep. Red warnings & advice are just pathetic. Oh hang on...

@ItsTheHumidity21 your 'friend' is a brainless idiot... but clearly not the only one.

I just drove 8mins to beach in air con car had brekkie I'm tesco cafe with air con and now have a sea breeze. My house is hotter and more danger

But Brits take babies aboard in similar temps all the time- It was 38 in Rhodes last week and there were plenty of families with babies and toddlers on the beach. There's often a breeze at the seaside- and presumably she had shade, sun cream cold drinks etc- and an a/c car to come home in.

Some of you just love a bit of performative drama. Most of the UK is just getting on with it- or heaven forfend- enjoy it sensibly!

I’m taking my preschooler down later. When we go on holiday we go to the beach in these temperatures on a daily basis. Parasol for shade, lots of chilled water in the coolbox, liberal amounts of suncream, UV sunsuit for him and lots of time in the water. Much more fun and more exercise than being cooped up in the house with screens on. Don’t get what everyone is being so precious about tbh.

I was at the beach earlier, it was much cooler than my house, and my seaside town (south east) is several degrees cooler than inland. Sea breeze. As long as they were mostly in the shade and well covered / sun creamed when briefly in the sun.

What do you think people do on holiday with babies / kids -stay in the hotel room for two weeks?

In 30 degree heat the comments about the baby being fine with water and a sea breeze
maybe warranted. At 40 degrees your friend is an idiot.

Her house could be hotter and stuffier. Just because you wanted to sit inside in the dark doesn’t mean everyone wants to or is able to.

You seen her at the beach before midday so she obviously went in the morning when it was cooler.

Would you be this angry if she took her baby abroad?

There are plenty of circumstances when this might be the better option. People have those UV beach paddling pools, UV tent plus a breeze at the sea might make it way more comfortable than a hot living room.

Your friend is a mindless, selfish moron. The poor kid.

OK so this thread doesn't achieve anything. Yes, I know I sound all judgemental and no I can't say anything to my friend (it's her choice) but it actually worries me. Similarly if I saw someone taking their dog out at the moment.

I don't feel superior at all. My eldest has adhd so being in a house all day isn't great, agreed, but it's about babies/children's safety surely in temperatures like this.

It will probably be fine, but yeah that is a bit of a weird decision.

The warnings we get are about reducing the pressure on services. If only the muppets are on the beach, the number of people needing assistance is reduced. There is no expectation from government that everyone will heed the warnings, there is always a percentage of people who ignore, for a range of reasons.