MIL thinks I’m being unreasonable!

[HazelEagle]

I take direct sun exposure quite literally for LO who’s 10 weeks old. She thinks that as it’s 5pm when we go for a walk in carrier and UV Level is 2 or less that I’m being silly for covering him up fully when out for a walk.

A bit of evening sun is good.

Gosh, there are many things I am lax on as a parent, but I'm with Baz Lurhmann all the way on this. Sunscreen (or in this case, covering up) is one of the most important thing you can do for your kids. I'm with you.

And also, I am a MIL and I would NEVER pass judgement on my DIL's parenting (unless she was prodding them with a poker or somesuch).

I mean no skin showing basically i.e. wearing a hat and a muslin over top of skin if bare

I can’t say I would have thought to do this at 5pm but I don’t think you are wrong. PPs talking about vitamin D are wrong. Standard advice is, for babies < 6 months, all vitamin D should come from dietary supplementation, not sun exposure.

It all depends doesn’t it? A little bit of sunshine with a hat and sitting in the shade is fine. Full blown high spf/sun exposure on new skin is not. Eventually the government guidelines will dry up and you’ll have to parent using your own initiative and what you think is sensible and reasonable. That’s what your MIL, and all experienced parents, will be trying to convey. A bit of pragmatism and perspective.

Massively over the top. I think you misunderstand what the site means by direct sunlight. 5pm sunlight at this time of year is beneficial, not dangerous.

Not her baby so it's not really an argument.

It's your first. You'll chill out and agree with her one day.

I don't understand how this is a 'thing' between you. Your baby - she doesn't get equal say. Not a fan of interfering MIL's unless something dangerous is happening. Your baby doesn't need sun on his skin at this age.

I dunno, where I am it was pretty sunny out at 5pm, we were at the park and my 5yo had a hat on. If my baby was in the carrier op I would have a full babygrow (light cotton one) and a hat. Where exactly are you putting the muslin?

Am I right in guessing that this is your first baby?
Obviously do what feels right for you.

It's your baby and what you feel is best goes, but no sunlight equals no vitamin D equals rickets. There is a happy meldium OP

I think you’re being slightly over cautious, but this is your baby and so it’s your rules.
But to all the people saying “baby needs vitamin D” no, he doesn’t. If breastfed he should be having daily vitamin D supplements and if formula fed it has their daily vit D supplement in it.

You’re being quite over the top about this in my opinion and I fully agree with your mother in law but at the end of the day, it’s your baby, so really, your choice I guess!

I'm hyper about a lot of things but I am also with your MIL here.

Bugger!

Mine turned quite brown when tiny.

Seem to still be fine. (29 and 36).

But you need to do what's best. Just don't take the NHS at its word. It'll be changing next week.

Another one with MIL.

That very same page that op linked, said you shouldn't give children under 5 undiluted juice or smoothies. At all! Who in the whole country follows that advice?!

I mean sure, I usually dilute my 3yos juice. But not religiously.

You have to accept sometimes that NHS advice for children/babies errs greatly on the side of overcautious.

MIL on this occasion is not the one being unreasonable

If it’s after 5pm then no, if it was midday then yeah…maybe.

This.

This

Yes, babies get overheated very easily so I’m
wondering what this means as well.

I agree with your MIL. I think you are being ott.

Your MiL (and everyone r else who thinks you are unreasonable) is probably also one of those people who doesn’t understand that babies should be laid flat but instead crumples them in a car seat or pushchair for hours on end.
There may be no apparent ill effects now but who knows what will happen years down the line. The research and guidance is all there if they choose to read it, which they won’t 🥹

Different people, different skin types. We protected dc’s skin as if she might have inherited my tendency to burn within moments, even in low sun. DH on the other hand could be outside for hours before picking up a hint of color. He is just much darker than DD or I. An infant can get plenty of sun indirectly, through dappled trees, and in all those moments you think, well we will just be a minute.

It turns out she is much closer to me, though thankfully not quite as severe a case.