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.

In the hottest psrt of Greece babies are kept indoors most of the time during a heatwave.

The fact that people consult nhs guidance on how to deal with children in very hot weather is just an example of how neurotically helpless we've become.

Parents without guidance from government agencies should be able to work out reasonable steps for babies and themselves in hot weather.

Eg taking baby to the beach at 11am sitting in the shade for a bit, having a paddle with a hat on, going to a café and driving home in air conditioned car. Obviously fine.

Going to the beach from 11am-5pm sitting in full sun while you work on your tan. Very dangerous.

There are a very tiny percentage of idiots who either through ignorance or lack of care would do the latter. And those people won't be the ones checking the guidance and should be reported.

The fact OP you think you need government guidance to make decisions on how to parent on a very hot day is a worrying level of neurosis and dependency. So deal with your own issues and leave other people to parent in the way they judge best unless you have evidence a child is being harmed.
Then call social care or the police.

@JenniferBarkley exactly!

Lived in London when it was 38 degrees a few years ago and we were out from 6am - 8am and then didn't come out again until it was gone 9pm, it was grim and our baby girl was miserable. It's one of the main reasons we moved to the cost. Hope you enjoyed your morning stroll and swim :-)

... it might feel cooler but that doesn't change the strength of the sun

BUT SHADE DOES!!
Shouting because you don't seem to be hearing OP.

On the beach in the shade is likely to be cooler than sitting with curtains drawn eating sugary stuff and watching screens.

For a couple of photos the sun isn't going to harm.

You also can't compare abroad, UK houses are not designed to be cool, so you can't get the same respite from the sun.

wouldnt have gone to the beach today but I’m outside with my toddler at the moment. My house is a south facing SAUNA and My DD is coolest in the paddling pool under the shade from a tree and gazebo I’ve put up. There’s also a nice breeze at the moment. She’s had lots of water and is perfectly fine - will take her inside for a nap shortly but even the fan isn’t helping her much at the moment - surely we are able to make our own decisions about what is best for our kids?!

Is your friend severely learning impaired?
Do you believe your friend doesn't care about her baby?

Unless you answer yes to either of these you should assume she will not be leaving a baby in the full sun and get on with your own life.

It's cooler by the coast than it is in my house!

It's one photo!

Jeez, remove your judgy pants.

On the beach in the shade is likely to be cooler than sitting with curtains drawn

^Seeking shade can reduce UV exposure, but not entirely. That’s because UVB rays, the segment of ultraviolet light most harmful to skin, can strike indirectly, by bouncing off UV-reflective surfaces such as sand...

The degree of protection in a shady area varies with the nature of the materials or structures providing the shade, and with the degree of cloud cover. Beach umbrellas, for example, may be less helpful than one might think. Even if the umbrella is made of a high-SPF (sun protection factor) fabric, UV rays can reflect off sand and water at low angles to reach the area under the umbrella.

A 2003 study found that the amount of UV light reaching someone under an umbrella can be up to 84 percent of the level in the full sun^

blog.dana-farber.org/insight/2018/05/staying-shade-prevent-sunburn/

Is be equally concerned about children sitting in with the curtains closed watching Disney all day.
Each to their own.

I live by the beach and it’s much cooler there than in our house.

we're inside with windows closed, curtains drawn, fans on, ice lollies out and Disney films on.

Have a 🎖, OP.

I grew up in a very hot country with beaches galore and in the midday sun on an extremely hot day you won’t actually see locals on the beach especially not with kids.

An umbrella on the beach will block out UV but still be extremely hot. I think people are not realising that 28 is very different to 38!

In a lot of very hot places, like Malta, many of the locals actually leave in high summer to go away because they say it is too hot!

Daughter is on a school trip to the beach - expected it to be far cooler than home or school.

Turns out it’s actually quite cold there! They’re trying to warm the kids up!

I can see that lockdown judging on mumsnet is soooo 2021
now 2022 it's en pointe to judge heatwave behaviour
wonder what'll be on trend next to sneer at people about

Hmm.

People take kids to the Middle East on holiday where it’s regularly this hot. Some homes cannot stay cool; out at the beach in a breeze with sun block, a sunshade and water might be a much better option. If it’s not for you, that’s absolutely fine, but no need to be angry. Nothing to do with you. Glad you’re not my friend.

To be honest, maybe you’re feeling guilty on some level that you’re keeping your kids in the dark, while others are out having fun.

Maybe she went early and only posted the photo later on. Maybe she was there for ten minutes and changed her mind? One social media photo does not tell you the whole story .

She's not trying to be superior. She's listened to the advice and can't understand why her friend would take such a decision.
Re beach being empty on a Tuesday, did you see the beaches on the news yesterday? Packed silly!

But the houses are designed to be cool with tiled floors, white painted walls etc.

UK houses are designed to keep heat in.

She is stupid yes. Not only risk of sunburn for both of them but also heatstroke which can kill.

Disney films with a toddler and baby and you are the one judging your friend 😂

I was at the beach yesterday. My dc are a bit older but there were babies there. It was a lot cooler there with the sea breeze than anywhere else. As others have said people go abroad with babies and take them to the beach. Hopefully she's taking sensible precautions- if so I'm sore there's no problem