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.

Depends on a few things:
How long are you out?
Where are you in the world?
What skin type?

At 5pm in the uk currently, with a family history/make up of southern Mediterranean or darker skin type, I'd say you were being ridiculous, but 5pm in Greece, with a very fair skinned family out for a 3 hour hike with no shade? Totally different. Context is everything.

My Ds came and sat outside with me suggested by midwife .. He has jaundice , was considered helpful

I think that's perfectly reasonable at 10weeks and in line with current medical advice. Baby skin will burn in no time at all and you give no context as to the temperature you were going out at, the length of time the baby would be in the sun for and how fair skinned they are.

Would I bother if I was popping to the corner shop on a grey day, probably not other than a sun hat; but it's been scorching over the past couple of weeks and we didn't come out until well after 5pm so context is everything.

There's unlikely to be an issue either way. But why assume she's being ridiculous when you could probably use practical advice from someone who's done it before?

I’m with you OP so probably going to get shot down in flames. I have a 17 week old, no sun on her. Either sunshade over the pram or she’s got long sleeves/leggings on.

I quite often walk my baby in his carrier at this time and he wears a hat and leggings, it just feels wrong to have his skin in the sun? Plus without the hat it’s in his eyes. Just don’t cover baby up entirely with the muslin because they’ll bake.

Your baby, your choice. MIL really shouldn't be offering an opinion on this.

You know your baby best and you should go with your gut based on how strong you feel the sun is etc. Just make sure he's not overheating and can breathe freely (I'm sure you're already doing this!).

Hat and baby gro is enough. Your mil is right.

I was probably a bit more relaxed than you with my babies (although kept them 99% in the shade and under a hat etc) BUT it's up to you and baby's Dad not MIL what you do with your 10 week old. She doesn't sound very kind implying you're being silly.

Kids are growing up with rickets due to no vitamin D exposure. At 5 oclock in the afternoon there is absolutely no problem especially if you are in the UK.

Sunlight is good for vitamin D. UV exposure is also a treatment for eczema, which my baby had.

Like everything, you need moderation with this. If you cover your baby entirely from sunlight they'll get vitamin D deficient.

Ditto if you don't cover them from midday sun they could get burnt.

I think you're covering him too much, so YABU

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/#:~:text=Children%20and%20sun%20protection&text=Children%20aged%20under%206%20months,particularly%20from%2011am%20to%203pm
It's strong sunlight that they should be kept out of. I'd be taking advantage of them being able to be out in the sun in the evening. I'm also with your MIL.

I'm team MIL

I'm with MIL too. Obviously some sense is needed but 5pm in UK is fine.

I was advised to put my jaundiced newborn in the sun, do they not do that anymore?

Babies until 3 months old do not have sufficient skin barrier that adults do - so avoid adult soaps and shampoos, avoid washing with anything but your own hand (sponges are a no no) and sun exposure should be avoided at all times. As for Vitamin D it is passed via breastmilk or mixed in oil form into bottle feeding.

Doesn't matter really, baby is yours and she doesn't have any rights to make choices like this.
Baby should be getting enough vitamin D from your breastmilk if you're taking a supplement or formula.

Tell her to butt out, none of her business.

Just because she's done it before doesn't mean she did it well or makes her the authority, it's not her baby, assuming op didn't ask for her opinion either and it's none of her business.

Im with your MIL but it’s your baby.

I agree with MIL, 5pm sun in the UK is fine and assuming you're not just leaving the baby to bake directly for hours I can't see a problem.
I don't think I ever read the NHS guidelines, even if I had they are mostly just that - guidelines, not rules!
I think you need to relax a bit.

I've always covered under 6 months olds in direct sunlight. Didn't stop us going out but skin covered. Either covered by clothes or with an umbrella as a parasol. Always placed in the shade not direct sunlight if on a blanket on the floor etc.
Most people I know have dine the same.
Older the 6 months ok but with suncream and period in the shade.

I'm with your MIL. Your baby is going to end up with vitamin D deficiency

At 10 weeks you're right that a baby should not be in direct sunlight. I'd have skin covered with light fabrics and a shaded stroller/umbrella of some sort.

It’s been reaching peak temps at about 4pm in London over the past week, high 20s. I’ve been keeping my baby out of the sun at 5pm too as it still feels pretty strong to me. Guess it depends where in the country you are and what the weather’s been like.

5pm can be quite hot still. I put ours in just a vest, in the pram with a parasol clipped on. If we were standing around/ sitting in a cafe etc I'd always make sure they were in the shade but just walking around I wouldn't worry

This! Posters saying baby won't get enough vitamin D - it isn't advised that very young babies get their vitamin D from sunlight