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.

@LisaSimpson77 I didn't call anyone that

@ItsTheHumidity21

No you didn't personally and I hold my hands up I've only seen "total idiot" and "complete idiot" actually when I scroll through.
The point is that you're supposed to be her friend yet you started a judgy thread which invited other people to call her an idiot.
I wonder how she would feel if you showed her this thread? Would your friendship survive?

Honestly, how do we think people survive in hot countries? As long as she’s taking precautions with shade, hydration, sun protection, and doesn’t stay there all day long I don’t see the issue.

Your friend knows her baby, I’m not sure why you are getting in a tizz about this.

We are in a hot part of the UK (35 plus yesterday) and we went to the beach yesterday with my young baby. She was absolutely fine, napped in the sling or in the shade. Lots of breastfeeding and dipped her feet in the sea when she was awake which she enjoyed. We keep her in thin long sleeves and legs which are too big so cover her hands and feet, and keep her in the shade as much as possible. She was happy as Larry. We saw other families with babies too so not just us.

No issue if you’re not comfortable doing this with your children, but not sure why you’re making a fuss about someone else’s choices!

It's far hotter in lots of insulated British houses than it is at the beach.

Feel better for judging do you, is it because you need reassurance your frankly barmy approach to locking yourself inside is the best way (yes I know I'm now judging)

On the beach in the shade is perfectly fine and normal and cooler than many houses and gardens.

The NHS advice is keep out of the sun not keep yourself locked indoors.

You can be outside but out of the sun. Just sit in the shade. We had floats for our babies that came with sunshades. A nice sea breeze , it might feel cooler there than in my house.

This is hilarious. We were at the beach first thing this morning with the kids, they had a lovely time sitting on the waters edge cooling off and splashing about. I did make the fatal error of forgetting to pack snacks for hubby, he was well hangry coming off the beach at noon :-p

I don't see the issue as long as they have shade, water and suncream? Probably cooler than most homes

Tbh OP you should just do you.

There are ways to do the beach safely. Read the Spanish poster on here. I'm just presuming your friend has the shade and hydration etc

Your way works but isn't the ONLY way to do it. Believe it or not everyone isn't at home in the semi darkness with lollies and Netflix .There are other ways to do things sensibly.

I would love the breeze at the coast right now.

My parents come from a seaside town from a country where it is very hot 35 plus for the entire summer. It is common practice there (except for the tourists) to go to the beach in the morning then have a nap at home during the hottest hours and then go back and enjoy the entertainment in the evening. The natives don’t stay at the beach throughout lunchtime as they know what it’ll do to them. Also, every year there are reports of deaths.
I don’t agree with the friend but I wouldn’t intervene either.

I was at the beach yesterday (as was half of humanity) and it was very much cooler than inland. Loads of dogs, loads of babies and loads of beach umbrellas for them to sit under. Assuming all the precautions are taken the baby will be cooler there than at home.

I think so there may be a bit of FOMO and boredom from those refusing to go out. I can positively say the beach and pool (outdoor) are cooler than being inside.

If you have shade and water what's the big deal? Maybe just go out instead of judging others, same happened when lockdown ended.

The NHS advice does not say you aren't allowed out with a baby between 11 and 3, ffs! IT says keep them out of the sun at that time. Presumably your friend has proper shade for the baby.

Some friend you are, assuming she's not taking basic and obvious precautions. Ans posting about her online, you wouldn't dare say it to her face.

But you don't know the baby will be in direct sunlight, you're just making assumptions and judging her based on, well, nothing.

The beach will be cooler than most gardens or homes on a day like today. With shade in place, why is it a problem?

Hmm, my newly insulated room is the coolest room in the house! Think insulation works both ways….@SirenSays

It’s going to cool down tomorrow, couldn’t the beach wait until then

think that's the most English thing I've ever read

YABU not your baby have you ever been abroad with your kids ? Would you put your kids in a dark room with ice lollies on holiday ?

I love the grim determination of people these days, to ignore any advice and guidance given by experts.

Medical professionals and scientists telling you to stay in and be careful on the hottest day ever? fuck 'em, I'll show 'em I'm going to the beach / have a BBQ/ go to a beer garden.

It really is no surprise we got Brexit and this horrendous Government when people deliberately ignore the advice of professionals and scientists - who are trying to keep us safe - because they simply don't like ' being told what to do'.

It’s 37C right now and it hit 30C by 10-11am I think. I imagine it’s cooler near the coast with a nice breeze. As long as the baby is under a sun parasol and is wearing a hat and sun cream then I don’t see an issue? How can you judge your friend when you’ve plonked your young dc in front of the TV with a fan blowing hot air at them all day? I would love to visit the beach if I had one nearby!

it’s whether emergencies services can cope, and putting yourself in a riskier situation could add to this (burst car tyre etc).

This is not a normal response. We can not catastrophise and lock ourselves away in fear of the what ifs.

You guys do know it's not 40 degrees on the coast, right? 🙄

I'm in Cornwall on the coast, it was MUCH cooler on the beach yesterday than the rest of the country. And this morning has been 21c and raining! So it's entirely possible that she and the baby were much cooler at the beach thanks to the sea breeze than you were in your (assuming well insulated) home.

Of course one would assume she has shade/a beach shelter, a hat, rash vest, enough water etc.

@ItsTheHumidity21 note you are determinedly ignoring every single post pointing out to you that the temperature on the coast/at the beach is LOWER than inland and benefits from a sea breeze and the cooling water.

At least her baby is getting fresh air, daylight and Vitamin D instead of being cooped up in a dark, non ventilated room, eating sugar and watching TV.

Be honest this was your aim with this thread wasn't it:

You don't really give one about the baby, you just wanted the other judgey mummies to agree with you and pat you on the back.

There is a reason many hot countries have a siesta. Also you can normally tell who are Brits abroad as they are the ones with sunburn. All because many Brits go abroad doesn’t mean they are all sensible in hot weather

Just wondering how awful this is? I bought a gazebo for my garden to go over the paddling pool which gives 3x3m shade and have stuck kids in there… they’re full of factor 50 (super waterproof but just reapplied) but should I yank them out as it’s the hottest part of the day!?