I think my baby is sunburnt and I feel terrible

[HelpFeelSoTerrible]

I feel absolutely terrible. I was walking with my 4 month old baby in the carrier today and had the UV shade up most of the time when he was inward facing. I was then walking in the woods and there was dappled sunlight, and I then took the UV shade off so he could look around. Later he was outward facing without the shade for about 10-15 mins when I was walking home. I now think there’s a red patch of sunburn on his cheek, which may have also been where his cheek was exposed under the UV shade, so that will have been much longer exposure than 10-15 mins as we were walking around the woods for a couple of hours.

I feel sick that I’ve let my tiny baby get sunburnt. I don’t know what to do. I feel like the worst mother in the world. Someone said babies can’t use sunscreen before 6 months - why is this? I feel so terrible. Can anyone reassure me? I’m in London, and it has been sunny/ cloudy today.

What you need to do OP is go wrap him up in cotton wool from head to toe and never let him out until at least he’s 21! Honestly I’m sure that’s what you feel like doing but don’t beat yourself up. It’s a tiny oversight and you’ll know for next time.And then next week you’ll make a different mistake and on and on it goes add infinitum!

It won't.

It's fine. It will probably have disappeared in 24-48 hours at most.

It's completely understandable that you didn't realise the sun was strong, and honestly, no parent can keep their baby entirely protected from every conceivable tiny thing. You're a great mum and your baby's fine.

I once put sun cream on my kids back but left a patch by accident. Unfortunately was in the shape of my hand.. so he had a big red handprint on his back where the sun had got him and also looked like I’d slapped him. You are not the worst mum in the world at all. We all make mistakes and you baby will be fine. Some nice cool lotion and maybe some extra fluids.

Thank you so much, everyone. Yes, I’m sure lack of sleep doesn’t help with general anxiety levels! The patch looks a little less red now, and I do feel calmer about it. This has made me feel very serious about sun safety though. Off to research UV sun hats and everything else I can find…

When my eldest was a baby, probably around 9-12 months, my parents took him to their caravan at the coast for a few days. One day they got back from a drive and he was asleep in the car seat. So they parked in the shade next to the van and went inside. When he woke up, they went to collect him. The sun had shifted and he ended up with a sunburn across his thighs. They didn’t tell me til they brought him home, then really casually mentioned it as if it was nothing. I remember being really cross on multiple levels, but I didn’t say anything because ultimately it was an accident, they’d never have intentionally hurt him and there was no long term damage.

Don’t beat yourself up it doesn’t sound terrible, you didn’t intentionally put your child in that position, these things happen. You’ll never let it happen again!

I found the whole sun thing so incredibly stressful when dd was pre 6 months. It’s such a worry. The fact you’re so concerned shows you’re a wonderful, caring mother.

As others have said, the UV index today has been relatively low and you’ve kept him pretty well shaded most of the day. I doubt you’ve caused any harm and the red will probably be gone by tomorrow.

Please don’t beat yourself up, it may not even be sunburn but even if it is, it’s easily done and plenty of us have been there! My bet is it’s where he’s been lying on the carrier/been a bit warm rather than sunburn.

I do think this time of year catches you out as the sun is stronger than you expect. Just make you put sunscreen on him every day until November.