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.

What a weird post! I´m Spanish and took my baby to the beach, that is how you pass the summer. Presumably she has shade, cool drinks sunscreen, baby caps etc etc. What´s there not to like? Best way to spend the hot summer days. Especially with no air conditioning!

The south coast is currently several degrees cooler with a breeze and access to the sea. Lovely.
Millions of people pay thousands of pounds to go on holiday to do the very same thing.
Umbrella, hat, suncream, water.

Stop being judgy. Live your own life. Let her live her own.

As someone that lives near the sea I can confirm the beach is cooler than anywhere else. There is a breeze.

A lot of them have those splash pads near by. Also she can dig the babies feet in the sea.

As long as she sun cream and water she’ll be fine.

Where is the advice against taking babies to the beach?

I can see lots of advice about sunscreen, hydration, shade, hat etc. But that applies if you are in your garden, house or even the beach.

They’ll be fine, we’re at the park, our little beach tent is quite cool, baby is happy, her skin isn’t clammy, usual amount of wet nappies and very much enjoying clapping away. There’s enough wind I’ve had to anchor it down, its cooler here than our flat with the aircon off.

So if sitting here is too dangerous that means our home is also too dangerous.

I can confirm it’s closer to 30 at the south east England coast today, not 40 as inland and further north.

I'm another who can't see the issue. People pay thousands of pounds to take their DC abroad in these temperatures, and spend all day in and out of the pool or on the beach.

I'm by the coast today - it's much cooler on the beach than even 50 metres inland and there's a lovely sea breeze. Presumably she'll take food, plenty of milk/water and a tent or something for shade, not just plonk the baby on the sand with no protection!

But the dog thing isn’t comparable. Dogs have hot fur coats and their paws have to make direct contact with the hot ground. A baby might be perfectly happy in a beach tent with a bit of water to splash in, in a nappy with sun cream or a UV swimsuit and lots of cool things to keep it cool.

Sounds a hell of a lot more pleasant than my hot stuff glazed flat today.

The beach is probably one of the coolest places to be, so long as she has suncream, a sunshade/ tent and plenty of fluids then her baby will possibly be more comfortable there than in a hot home without the cooling sea breeze

I took my baby to the beach yesterday . He is 10 months . It was so so much cooler at the beach than in the garden and house . A beautiful breeze was blowing at the beach . There were many children and babies at the beach .
DS had sub cream and a hat on . We took a fancy tent which stays cool and offered DS shade . He played in there with his toys . He stayed for about 3 hours . 3pm-6pm.
When we returned home it was absolutely joining and not safe to be in our garden ( lack of shade ) so we went inside.

I think I am responsible .
I think DH would have loved the sensation of sand and the water .

There is such a breeze down by the beach where I am located . It is a relief .
i am going to take DS down again this afternoon .

@Yodaisawally that's true but even so, I think if you were on holiday with a 5 month old baby in the heat, would it be OK to go the beach during the hottest part of the day? Personally I don't think it is.

Unless you plan to do something about it why give it headspace?

I imagine the beach is empty because it's a school/ working day.

Do you also think parents should be banned from taking holidays in Greece, Spain, Portugal, south of France.....?! I mean, surely you must frequently see photos on social media of families at the beach or by a swimming pool in hot countries?

Or is your outrage confined to this one person in SE England?

Oh the poor child. This is almost as bad as all the idiot parents who take their children on gasp holidays abroad and allow them to play in the sea and pool in this heat. That child should be locked in the house with all curtains and windows closed watching bloody Disney films until at least November.

Whats a bit of heat stroke when youre "making memories"

It’s much cooler on the south coast and there’s a gentle breeze

I love it how anyone who doesnt agree are systematically labelled idiots!

There have been about 12 reported deaths due to the heat so far. Of course we can't be sure it's a direct result of it. Most were drowning of teenagers in rivers or lakes.

I haven't read any reports of death of beach goers, including babies or dogs.

Chill out people. If you don't want to go out or take your kids, that's your decision and it's fair enough but give up the sanctimonious attitude labelling everyone who doesn't do as you do. It doesn't make them wrong.

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

If I was going to judge you I could say that this doesn't sound particularly healthy either though tbh, crouching indoors watching tv and eating sugar all day whilst making your dc feel like warm weather is terrifying.
Yet you felt this was the best option, your friend felt like going to a beach where it felt cooler was the best choice.

Basically I think perhaps just stop judging one another for making choices that are different to our own. We're all trying to parent our children as best we can and nobody deserves to be called a "fucking idiot" for it.

Come to the south east . It is breezy at the beach.

Being really honest .
I would judge someone more for staying inside and watching Disney films rather than taking their children out to a cool beach and letting them experience the stunning scenery and allowing them to explore the amazing surroundings.

Sitting in watching films to me is a cop out .

Horses for courses .

But people do it every single year, and their babies and children are absolutely fine.

I've been to places on holiday where it's 30+ degrees from 8am in the morning and it stays that way all day. It often doesn't drop below 25 at night for weeks on end either.

30 degrees is warm, yes, but it's really not THAT hot, especially if you have shelter, shade and cool water to splash in.

My first thought was YES that’s a bit ridiculous. Then I remembered last Summer I brought my 8 month old to the beach in similar weather ( abroad ) 🙊

People in hotter countries than England go to the beach with babies and children! YABU

Total idiot. How old is the baby

We go abroad to Europe every summer so all my kids have had lots of days at the pool or beach in similar weather. We sit in the shade and keep hydrated.

I spent yesterday at the beach with my dds. It was so much cooler due to the breeze. They had their hats and rash suits on and honestly it was nothing like the weather inland. Had tr Aircon on on the drive. Was a fantastic day. Got home at 5pm and the garden was unbearable so we went inside for the day