What do you do in the sun?

[Prusik]

Just after a range of opinions really.

The sun is my only real paranoia - I'm pretty laid back about all other aspects of looking after DS.

DS is nearly 8 months and has never really been in the direct sun. He's ALWAYS in the shade and I never really use sun cream as it doesn't seem necessary as he just doesn't have exposure.

A few friends have put lovely pictures of their babies (all less than a year old) enjoying paddling pools with regular swimming costumes on, in shorts and tshirts in the park and randomly chilling in the sun.

I'm not judging but really really wouldn't do this. I'd be paranoid after 30 seconds. Genuine question - are they crazy, or is it me?

The rays required to produce vitamin D don't travel through glass so unfortunately your baby won't be getting any in your living room. I've had a severe vitamin D deficiency before and it's no joke - its associated with cancer, MS, all sorts of horrible illnesses.

I'm the same as farfarawayfromhome. We're in the Middle East and the heat is insane. However, we (and all the other parents in our building) take our DS out in our pool almost everyday. He wears a long sleeved rash suit, a hat with a visor and a bit of fabric that covers his neck, and I use sunscreen. We also try to stay in the shade. He's never out for very long in one go because he gets tired, but he hasn't burnt yet in spite of his Scottish complexion!

I don't put sunscreen on him at all when we go to the shops (five mins walk away). He needs vitamin D - doctors here are obsessed with it as so many people just stay indoors - and he doesn't burn at all in that time.

Having said that, I was completely paranoid when he was a baby and used a SnoozeShade.

DS is 10mo btw

He won't get any vitamin D through your living room window.

Just FYI to all those saying "I don't need to put suncream on my child because they are in the shade". Sun rays still damage skin in the shade. You are not doing your child any favours. Having them out when the sun isn't so fierce (4pm onwards) is best. The danger of vitamin d deficiency is far greater than that of skin cancer. We all need approximately 20 minutes of sun exposure every day to get the required amount of vitamin D.

Ah ok, I've been told. We'll get out to the park tomorrow. We did sit in the garden earlier after the sun had gone behind the trees if that helps people stop telling me off

i Have a very bright living room too.But recently my dd 15 and dd 2 had bloods done and told they are both vit d deficient. My ds 17 and ds 13 dont as they spend a lot pf time outdoors but my dds dont.

Prusik if you are formula feeding your DC will be fine. Formula is supplemented with adequate vitamin D

I supplement my little one with vitamin D

op sorry for starting all the vitamin d drama. I find the burning/skin cancer/vitamin d thing very confusing to be honest. it's so hard to know what to do for the best. xx

Enjoy the park Prusik 😊

I think you are a bit ott tbh. J
Kids are supposed to enjoy the summer! My 2.5 year old has spent all weekend in the paddling pool and garden, albeutvwuth factor 50 sun cream. We also went to Tenerife in June and he loved being on the pool or beach all day. Just use lots of subcream and one if the factor 50 swim suits!

have just started a thread in chat because I am confused about sun exposure too!

I do think my options are clouded by the fact that even a short amount of time in the heat/sun makes me feel quite ill. I enjoy very much looking at the blue sky but that's about as far as it goes

I think Ds is a little young to 'appreciate the summer' and think I will relax about it when he's a toddler rather than a baby.

Now to work out how to squeeze a trip to the park in around the feed/nap routine he has himself on! By the time he finishes breakfast he's ready for a nap!

I would suggest going after nap but that will make it midday which I don't think you will enjoy 😂

All children between 6 months and 5 years who have less than 17oz of formula should be on a multivitamin which includes vitamin D. In the UK you wont get enough Vitamin D throughout the whole year so everyone needs vitamin D supplements.

I am probably not as good with suncream on DD as I would like but I am no where near lax enough that she is in no danger of burning. I am very judgy of parents who let their children burn. DD wear factor 50 and a hat. In the paddling pool/on the beach I put her in those factor 40/50 sunsuit things. She is over a year btw.

And on very sunny days limited time out side in the shade and then we play indoors.

umm he's a bloody good napper too! Up at 7am, naps 9-11. But often doesn't want breakfast till 8 and tends to take an hour over that!!!

Do you not get outside with him at all during the day then OP? Fresh air keeps us all sane here!

Not at the minute. We've had 8 weeks of ds having awful health issues again- just starting to overcome them so I'm hoping I'll be back in action by the end of the week. I must admit, I am going stir crazy. Really struggling at the moment

I'm so sorry to hear that he has been unwell. it's light until 8 could you go after 4? or is he having his afternoon nap then? xx

Afternoon nap tends to be 1-3ish. I'm good for another week but will then start work at 3.30.

I think I'm just going to have to force it and see if I can push his morning nap later by half an hour or so (and also try to get dressed before breakfast rather than during nap time)

my kids were messy eaters at that stage! I had to change their clothes after every meal. you could give a picnic breakfast in the park maybe? x

DS still eats in his nappy and needs a thorough wipe all oer after eating Goodness knows how he manges to get food IN his nappy!!

The thing that baffles me is he is actually eating. He doesn't throw food, he doesn't smoosh it around. He just gets it everywhere!!

lol bless him. xx

Sorry to hear he's had health issues.
Even just getting out for a 5-10 min walk might be good for you both.