Okay, I know that babies burn very easily, and I always have my son either in a shaded stroller or wearing a sun hat when we're outside. He loves being outside, and we usually are out for maybe twenty minutes, usually with me walking him around the block in the stroller and he falls asleep about halfway through. My problem is my MIL is obsessed with keeping sunshine off of him at all costs. When she takes him outside, even if it's just to get him to the car, she covers him with a thick blanket. She insists on covering the strolleir as well, even though this makes it extremely hot inside. I have argued with her repeatedly over this matter. What are your thoughts?

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Tigriz
Mom to Alex - 1/21/06

Not even pointing out the extremem benefits of VItamin D from the sun, please ignore her and allow you son some sunshine. HIstory itself is on your side - generations of children have been raised in the sunshine to no harm. Certianly they burn easily and precautions are good, however they do need the sunshine...

Babies actually need at least 10 minutes of sun exposure a day. It's very healthy for them! And it sounds like you are doing everything right. Sounds like your MIL has some bad information.

Sunshine in the early morning is best for the baby. Doctors often advise to let the baby feel the warmness of the sunshine in the early morning at about 10 mins.

Yes, I agree babies do need the sunshine. I have also read that the sunshine is good for diaper rash. If you take the baby out in the early morning hours, with their diaper off for about 10 minutes, it can help heal diaper rash. Haven't tried it myself yet though.

That's interesting, I'd never heard of that before. Luckily we don't have to deal with diaper rash that often (knock on wood), but I feel much better about allowing my son his morning playtime and walk around the block.

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Tigriz
Mom to Alex - 1/21/06

Everyone does need son. I can't imagine where your mother in law got the idea that a thick blanket over a baby's head was better than a little sun.

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Umbilical Cord Blood Storage | Breastfeeding Advice and Information

Harleysneak - it definately works to treat diaper rash with sunsine. I remembering doing that when Abe was little and his big excitement was being outside on the blanket with "nothin' on!"