Am I Wrong? Opinions please....

PinkLipgloss

Hi there,

Some background info: I have a mixed race son (15 months) who was born in Spain in 40 degrees heat. My husband and I suffered throughout our Summers there with him however he slept right through the night and showed no signs of discomfort whatever the temperature!

Anyways, last week we moved to an island in my husbands home country. This afternoon I thought it would be good to go to the beach as we took him last week and he absolutely loved it. He enjoys sitting at the water edge splashing around with his bucket and spade. The beach is netted to prevent jellyfish or other undesirable creatures getting through. So after his lunch I smeared him in factor 50 baby sun block and got his sand toys etc organised whilst he slept.

I headed out in his pushchair with the UV protection hood fully extended out (it's dome like) and positioned the parasol to shade the slight opening.

I timed our arrival at the beach to coincide with him waking up. However he was still asleep so I moved his pushchair into the shade (under a palm tree) waiting for him to wake up.

Instantly a local man in his 40s who was sunbathing nearby approached me and said, "Excuse me, it's too hot here for your baby." I replied, "He's fine." at which he looked perplexed and said, "It's too hot you should take your baby to another place." (NB It's 26 degrees today and the beach is nice and windy)

To be honest I was absolutely stunned. So much so that all I could manage was another "He's FINE" in a somewhat annoyed tone. He then shot me a look that basically, to me, said I was the worst mother on the island!

I thought I was doing well - UV hood, parasol, factor 50 sun block, UV sun hat, and when he splashes about in the sea I stand with my back to the sun to ensure he is in the shade. We only play for 15/20 mins then I take him to the shower rooms to get washed and changed.

Part of me wishes I was less stunned so I could have given that man a piece of my mind (he couldn't even see my son!) however another part of me lacks confidence as I am new to being a stay at home mum (my husband previously looked after our son whilst I worked) and this mans look has really got me questioning myself.

Was I in the wrong?

Fire_Fox

The effects of heat and UV rays are two different things, some of the measures you are taking won't have any effect on whether your baby overheats or not.

Raksha

It also depends on the humidity - hot and dry means it's easier to moderate body temp than hot and humid.
IMHO 26 degrees in a breeze is quite pleasant and I'm sure your little boy was fine.

peachyprice

Depends really, if he was fully clothed and snuggled under a blanket, the man would have a point.

If he was wearing very little and cool air was circulating freely, (which infortunately some hoods can prevent and I would have taken it off if he was in the shade, the hat too) it's unlikely he would have overheated in 26 degrees. So I would have told him to bog off.

sassyblue

Yes you were right, you had all precautions in place. Take no notice.

Didn't you know some people think they know babies better than their own parents and should force their views on them?

PinkLipgloss

Thanks for the quick replies!

FireFox - he has his sippy cup to hand at all times - and plays in the sea (which is thankfully cool!) which I thought would prevent him overheating.

PeachyPrice - the hood is well ventilated with numerous airholes. No blankets - perish the thought! He was wearing shorts and t-shirt. No socks/shoes. I didn't put the hat on until he woke up and got out.

tyllwyd

I wonder if there is an element of culture clash - maybe having the baby sleeping at the beach was something that local mums would never consider doing?

PinkLipgloss

Could well be tyllwyd! I myself wouldn't normally have him sleeping there but I knew he was going to wake in 5 mins (he's like clockwork with his naps).

I shall quiz my husband about this later when he goes home!

cottonhead

I agree it might be a culture thing. I dont know where you are, but if you stand out as not being a local, perhaps he thought he was being helpful. So long as you know your baby was not overheating thats all that matters. I dont like interference either but I suppose he only had your childs best interests at heart. By the way how lovely to be at the beach.... lucky you !

balletshoes

PinkLipgloss wrote: »

Hi there,

Some background info: I have a mixed race son (15 months) who was born in Spain in 40 degrees heat. My husband and I suffered throughout our Summers there with him however he slept right through the night and showed no signs of discomfort whatever the temperature!

Anyways, last week we moved to an island in my husbands home country. This afternoon I thought it would be good to go to the beach as we took him last week and he absolutely loved it. He enjoys sitting at the water edge splashing around with his bucket and spade. The beach is netted to prevent jellyfish or other undesirable creatures getting through. So after his lunch I smeared him in factor 50 baby sun block and got his sand toys etc organised whilst he slept.

I headed out in his pushchair with the UV protection hood fully extended out (it's dome like) and positioned the parasol to shade the slight opening.

I timed our arrival at the beach to coincide with him waking up. However he was still asleep so I moved his pushchair into the shade (under a palm tree) waiting for him to wake up.

Instantly a local man in his 40s who was sunbathing nearby approached me and said, "Excuse me, it's too hot here for your baby." I replied, "He's fine." at which he looked perplexed and said, "It's too hot you should take your baby to another place." (NB It's 26 degrees today and the beach is nice and windy)

To be honest I was absolutely stunned. So much so that all I could manage was another "He's FINE" in a somewhat annoyed tone. He then shot me a look that basically, to me, said I was the worst mother on the island!

I thought I was doing well - UV hood, parasol, factor 50 sun block, UV sun hat, and when he splashes about in the sea I stand with my back to the sun to ensure he is in the shade. We only play for 15/20 mins then I take him to the shower rooms to get washed and changed.

Part of me wishes I was less stunned so I could have given that man a piece of my mind (he couldn't even see my son!) however another part of me lacks confidence as I am new to being a stay at home mum (my husband previously looked after our son whilst I worked) and this mans look has really got me questioning myself.

Was I in the wrong?

oh boy does that take me back to when my DD was a baby and we were staying for the summer in my OH's country (we had comments in the winter too, but thats another story ).

No, you're not wrong, your child is perfectly fine in the shade, with sunblock on and the pushchair shade over him. I nearly told random strangers in Turkey to go forth and multiply several times when they would stop me, approach me etc, to tell me what I was doing wrong with my own child.

Just learn to let the nonsense wash over you, keep doing what you're doing, and say what you already said .

fluffnutter

There will always be those who want to share their opinions (that's why we have interweb forums ).

He's your baby and no doubt you're a loving mum. Have faith in yourself that you'll never make poor decisions regarding his welfare and ignore nosey strangers.