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Original poster

In shock after doc thinks 7 month old shouldn't go abroad!

98 replies

Rose138 · 05/06/2015 18:39

Hello,

We are going to turkey next week. My son has got eczema and I phoned the docs for advice on the best sun cream. The nurse practitioner phoned me today to tell me he should not be in the sun and that it is silly to be taking him to turkey! I said of course he's not going to be in the sun, we have a villa and I have a uv tent for him hats ect ect ect. But I said to her even in the shade I would put sun cream on him as a breeze can burn, especially abroad. She said she wouldn't take a 7 month old away.

I was so upset so phoned back and asked to speak to the practise manager. I explained and said I felt my parenting was being judged. She to my astonishment said "well we are all older parents here you see and we were talking and saying how we wouldn't take a 7 month old abroad". I asked if my complaint was going to be listened to and she said "do you actually want me to take your complaint seriously, what do you want to achieve?". Off the phone I was so upset and phoned my mum. She was furious and phoned the nurse practitioner saying how upset I was and that a gp surgery should support mums and not destroy their confidence ect. The nurse practitioner replied that "I have had a long day lets all calm down and I'll phone you next week".

I'm just so so shocked and upset at the way we have been spoken to. Also I'm now questioning our holiday. Are we wrong to take him? I suffered from post natal depression and feel that this is pushing me back to feeling like a rubbish mum Sad

OP posts:
Schoolaroundthecorner · 07/06/2015 12:40

Yes that's US advice purplemunkey but afaik it's the same in the UK ie don't use on children under 6 months. You can get sunscreens that use physical blockers e.g. zinc oxide that are supposed to be better for very young children than normal sunscreens. I'm not an expert, this is just the advice I was given and follow with my own children.

JSinCY · 07/06/2015 15:01

I live in Cyprus and have a 6 month old. We go to the beach early or late and use sunscreen/umbrella/hat/etc. Everyone loves it and there are tons of kids of all ages around. I assure you people in hot countries have babies without issues. You'll be fine.

Alanna1 · 07/06/2015 15:43

Surely you should book an appointment to have a proper conversation with your GP? Personally I'd start from the position that the views of a healthcare professional deserve consideration and respect, but also in this case that they should be explored. Incidentally I took my 9 month old to the carribean in February. We didnt use sunscreen because she was never in the sun. She however didnt enjoy the holiday much, didnt like the temp changes / the sand / the pool. She liked the hotel bar though and crawling on the furniture! With hindsight I regret going a bit - the flight was also hard work.

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GingerDoodle · 08/06/2015 16:38

Bloody hell I'd be furious!! What are people in hot countries meant to do?? Not reproduce???

Rosa · 08/06/2015 16:43

I bet if you take him to the beach his eczema will improve..... DOn't keep him in a wet sun suit ...and also ( heavens forbid take him in the sea without a costume say late afternoon ...)

LBOCS · 08/06/2015 16:45

We took DD to Morocco at 16 weeks. She was absolutely fine, it was by far the most relaxing holiday we've had since having her. She snoozed in the shade, I sunbathed, she wore a uv suit and we had plenty of pool time. No dramas at all. FWIW it didn't even occur to me not to use sun cream on her or that she might be too young, so we slathered her in solan (little ginger child, very pale!) obviously I have no advice bout the eczema issue, but I would say ignore your go surgery and have a lovely time :)

LittleLionMansMummy · 08/06/2015 16:50

Tbh i probably would have complained too, but would have drawn the line at getting my mum involved.

We've been to France every year since ds was 8 months. The craziest idea was to drive 700 miles, we should have flown when ds was that young (and becoming very mobile and therefore bored and hated being restrained). But other than that we had a lovely time and certainly didn't let it put us off going again. I'm a very firm believer in adapting to accommodate a child but not living a completely different life. It's served us well so far. Go, have a great time and forget what has been said. It really is of no consequence and you're making some lovely memories in doing so. Enjoy! Smile

SofiaAmes · 08/06/2015 16:52

For all the people disbelieving that this happened this way....I had a very similar thing happen to me. It happened a lot to me in the UK. Practice Managers refusing to take complaints, or in one case, taking the complaint and then kicking me off the gp's roster in retaliation when I was 5 months pregnant. Surgery staff gossiping about my child and everyone else's.

What on earth are people who live in hot countries supposed to do with their babies, ship them away to cold places...? What an absurd and non-medical piece of advice to give. My dd had terrible eczema as a baby and every time we took her to someplace sunny, it cleared right up. I agree with the advice above...don't keep him in a wet swim suit....really he doesn't need a swimsuit at all. I would also avoid sun screen and just keep him out of direct sunlight. I took ds to jamaica when he was 2 months old. We waited until he's had his first set of shots and then felt perfectly comfortable taking him. He was ebf, so unclean food wasn't an issue.

Bugsylugs · 08/06/2015 17:02

Actually I would discuss whether an alternative destination were possible the main reason being that we would recommend a hepatitis A vaccine which you should all have. it is not given to under ones as not licensed and I would Find it odd that you would or at least could protect yourself but not your baby. Why would you risk your baby? Just because others do it and babies are born in Turkey does not make it very safe. At the end of the day it is your choice and yes be careful with the heat but that would not be my major concern

MiscellaneousAssortment · 08/06/2015 17:50

Oh very constructive "Why would you risk your baby?" Hmm

But way to go. What asypwrior bring you are, and a much better parent.

You could have shared some additional and off topic information that the OP was t aware of, nor had she been alerted to this information by the HCPs shes spoken to, and maybe that would be useful. But using it as a way to belittle the OP and put the boot in? Why do that? Yay for you.

MiscellaneousAssortment · 08/06/2015 17:55

asypwrior bring = a superior being (ironically)

Bugsylugs · 08/06/2015 18:06

OP talked about being in shock about GP practice reaction to taking 7 month abroad I don't see any problem with that. It is not very helpful for all the mums on here saying babies are born there, I took mine etc. there are risks and OP should be aware and unfortunately she cannot protect lo from Hep A.

People research hotels flights etc they need to also take responsibility for researching health be that by visiting GP before booking in case inappropriate trip being planned or using a website like fitfortravel. Unfortunately many travel agents do not know what vaccines Re needed or risks.

In this situation as she is going to visit family it is possible it has not been discussed.

Not being superior at all just highlighting genuine risks. Sorry if it came over like that OP maybe you could look at that website or discuss with a healthcare provider you trust face to face may be better.

Lahottiereturns · 08/06/2015 18:08

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DrElizabethPlimpton · 08/06/2015 18:18

You will be fine taking your baby away. My mother took me to Yugoslavia when I was 6 weeks old - I'm now 50. Have a lovely time.

Bugsylugs · 08/06/2015 18:30

Lahottie thanks for that!

Most people will be fine and to be fair I did not see this was in parenting and possibly would have been gentler if I had.

Letmeeatcakecakecake · 08/06/2015 18:33

Taking my DD to Turkey end of August when she'll be 18 weeks Shock bad me!

Letmeeatcakecakecake · 08/06/2015 18:37

Oh and me and my brother used to be taken to Cyprus to live for April until end of September every year until we started school from when we were brand new little babies too! (I was 6 weeks when I very first went) and never had a problem!

OwenMeanysArmadillo · 08/06/2015 18:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Rose138 · 08/06/2015 21:15

Thank you all for taking the time to reply, reassure and share your experiences.

Odd that some people think I've twisted this-honestly I really don't have the time to make up stories!

X

OP posts:
BackforGood · 08/06/2015 21:41

Something of an overreaction from you. Firstly, I'd have thought the question would have been better asked of the pharmasist, not taking time at the Drs surgery. Then, the nurse practitioner (perhaps unwisely) expressed a perfectly valid opinion. Then it gets ridiculous. At that point, you should explain that it was to visit family and all the precautions you were taking and advice you were following, and that would have been the end of it.
The fact your mother phoned up after you will have made you look very immature indeed. Shock

Lahottierreturns - there is no need to attack people personally because you don't agree with their opinion. It's useful information to be added in to the debate that Bugsylugs has provided about the HepA vaccine.

Lweji · 08/06/2015 21:46

I personally wouldn't take a 7 month old to a hot country in the middle of summer.
and saying how we wouldn't take a 7 month old abroad

Because no 7 month old lives in hot countries. Hmm

Lweji · 08/06/2015 21:48

Do visit a travel clinic, though. :)

A proper one. Not one that is just an "older parent".

Check vaccinations and general safety measures.

Original poster
Rose138 · 08/06/2015 21:51

If you'd have taken the time to read all of this thread I've addressed my mum phoning-I've said that it wasn't my finest moment and I've said that she phoned to listen to the practice managers side but then she was spoken to awfully as well. I'm not going to dwell on it when like I say, I've already addressed that.

Lahottierreturns- thank you for your support. Xx

OP posts:
ltk · 08/06/2015 22:16

I took dc to Namibia aged 9 months along with 2 other v young dc. Do not second guess your holiday. And do not worry too much about suncream. Lots of high quality shade and staying out of the sun in peak hours and UV suits/hats will do most of the job. Enjoy your holiday!

Graceymac · 08/06/2015 23:05

I took all 3 of my babies on holidays to the south of France, Spain and Portugal. They all survived without anything terrible happening. We are in Greece at the moment but youngest 3 yrs now (it has rained last 2 days so no risk of sunburn!). The practice nurse sounds very condescending and patronising to be honest and is expressing her personal opinion which as a health care professional is not acceptable. She is there to advise on medical matters. If your dd had a serious illness then of course she must advise in such a case that a trip abroad is not a good idea. So long as you take the precautions that you plan to I don't see ther being anything to worry about.