would you say something if you saw a baby without a hat in this weather in the park?

[Turtle35]

not sure if it was the baby's mother maybe it was a nanny but the baby was crawling in the park without clothes on and NO hat it was probably 30 degrees today in London, I was so cross I left. Should I have said something? I know it's none of my business but...

Turtle35 - you did say that the mother was neglecting the child.

I wouldnt get upset. you started the thread to gage what other people think and there has been varied opinions on this. It is an interesting topic.

I would have said something and hope I can save just 1 person going through what I go through - I have been fighting serious skin cancer for many years. Babies' skin is at its most fragile and long-term damage can be caused in 5-10 minutes if the child is fair-skinned. It is also impossible to see sunburn properly outdoors, the burn usually takes a while to deepen by which time it's too late.

Malignant melanoma kills large amounts of children and young people and is a rapidly invasive cancer. Its secondaries are brain, lung and liver and if not detected quickly enough the person affected may die within 12 months. Clothes and hats are the only real protection - cream helps but is not a complete barrier. My mother covered me in cream as a child but unfortunately it wasn't enough.

I know lots of you will think I'm wrong and it doesn't bother me at all, but I hope you never stand in my shoes. I would say "excuse me, I just thought I'd let you know that the baby looks quite red, I don't mean to intrude" and walk on.

If you had read my msgs you would of realised that I actually was merely trying to vent some upset frustration at witnessing what I thought was neglect, I dont think its worth wasting time explaining the whole scene again but it wasn't pleasant (please believe me) so I left because I was upset ok. I KNOW it's none of my bloody business and that was why I didn't say anything. My question to begin with was "WOULD ANYONE SAY ANYTHING"

please stop trying to upset me more and take this out of context.

sorry turtle, i wasnt trying to upset you

thank you

Turtle, don't take it to heart. There are people who agree with you and those who don't. I do understand that you were upset and we weren't there. Sometimes it is hard to explain exactly what it is about a situation that is upsetting. I once got berated for calling the police when I saw two crying, overheated (bright red) children in a locked, closed car on a 30degree day in London. Parents nowhere in sight. I waited for quite a long time (children very worked up and clearly had been there a while) then called the police. I still think I did the right thing.

I think you did the right thing too, aloha.

And, good post ediemay.

Turtle I agree that some postings on this have been unecessarily agressive towards you and it's been completely undeserved. It's quite hurtful isn't it?

I've only been doing mumsnet for about a fortnight and love it, but have been really shocked and felt hurt at the aggression of some posters.

Healthy debate is one thing, but people seem to feel it's ok to have personal digs and really lay into you, as if you've critisised them which you haven't.

Try to let it wash over you. It's their anger and not yours. Don't let it get to you.

Back to the babies and toddlers pulling their hats off issue...you need a very light weight legionnarie style cap with a bit of lycra in it so it sticks on more securely.
My DS hates hats too but he'll keep these on. If you can quickly put it on when they're distracted, they won't know they're wearing it.
We bought one here which has lasted well.

Ediemay, very sorry to hear about what you're going through....and agree that there are times when we are collective parents and should "interfer".

if tiffini is still reading this, you can get a sun protection spray for heads in Boots (for those with fine hair or thinning hair). You can spray it on their heads if they won't wear hats and it should protect their scalps.

No way. My dd is 17 months and always pulls her hat off immediately. I think as long as your not sitting out in hot sun for hours on end then they should be fine.

Erm my dd has a suntan. i put suncream on about every 2 hours but she is in and out of garden all day.

At least she won'#t have vit D deficiancy I guess.

Spidermama - you've just said what I was thinking; thank you.

Aloho, I also think you did exactly the right thing there. Those poor children.

Message withdrawn

I saw something almost similar, I asked the mother if she wanted sun cream, she said no, they had some, thanks.

I think it's great you cared & maybe could try something similar if you saw it again ?

Who cares what the mothers think - they sound awful & I think I might have called the RSPCA if the dog was vicious

gawd is this thread still going on?

also I think it is her business - they ruined her afternoon

STAND UP & BE COUNTED I SAY

oooo, I'm on one today

Message withdrawn

...I burnt the back of my neck on Sunday. If someone had noticed & mentioned to me my neck was burning, I'd be very grateful & wouldn't be peeling bits of skin off my neck

Is there official definitions on what is someone's business & what isn't ?

For all those non-hat wearers, there is a shade-a-babe which blocks out a very high % of uv light. About £30 & can be found on e-bay

Jess very rarely keeps a hat on, is always platered in 50+ sun cream, and i have now bought a canopy for her buggy rather than a parasol as it keeps the sun off a lot more of her.

whats a "shade-a-babe"? Is it like a parasol?

www.shade-a-babe.co.uk/

bumping "protect a bub"

www.practicalpushchairs.co.uk/pages/accessories.htm

scroll down to "sunshade attachment"

OK. I admit, I have shares in the company!

these look great !

Are they like the Bertini ones ?