With forums, websites and blogs galore, it’s no secret that mums love to share advice with fellow parents and parents-to-be.
While most people who share parenting advice do so with the best intentions, it can sometimes be misguided and met with the recipient feeling angry or upset.
Unfortunately, one mother learnt this the hard way and took to Mumsnet to share her experience after attempting to warn a mum about her baby’s safety.
She begins: “Ok so I would never normally approach a mum and 'point something out' but.
“It's a hot day here (26 when I went to the park earlier) and I took the dog out for a walk in my local park. Took son who's six months.
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“As I walked around the park and across some fields, there were two mums sat having a picnic of some sorts in the sun (no shade).
“One of the mums obviously had a baby for a nap in the pram (I assume baby as bassinet attachment). To create some shade she had taken two muslins and draped them over the opening of the bassinet and clipped them with pram clips across the openings.”
The anonymous mum explained that she had read the technique causes a ‘hothouse effect’, which ‘can be quite dangerous'.
She continues, explaining that it's better to use a shade that has black material with air holes to prevent light from getting in, while still allowing for airflow.
The mum then shared details of the conversation she had with the woman in the park, saying: “Gosh, it's soooo hot today isn't it? Nice to have some sun but poor little ones get so hot.
“I'm not sure if it's helpful but I've found these sunshade things really good as they let the air in so much more lightweight and breathable than muslins.”
The woman asked what she meant, to which she replied: “Sorry, it's just I've read that muslins don't let the air through so can make babies hotter so I just thought I'd mention how great I've found this product as not sure if you're aware?”
She was then met with a hostile response, with the woman saying: “Tell you what? Why don't you f*** right off and leave us the f*** alone.”
Before she left the woman, the Mumsnet user retorted with: “OK, I'm literally trying to stop your child from overheating, that's all. Look it up.”
After telling her friend about the encounter, she was told she came across as ‘patronising and interfering’.
And, several fellow users of the parenting forum agreed, with some even criticising her for taking her dog out for a walk in that heat.
One commenter said: “Yeah patronising. Also did you know it's too hot to walk a dog in that temperature, dogs overheat easily as they don't sweat only pant and very hot pavements can burn their pads. Best to walk them very early or very late this weather.”
Another wrote: “I’m sure you meant well but I’m 100% not surprised they told you to f*** off.”
However, many were glad to see the mum had shared the advice for the safety of the woman’s baby.
A user replied, saying: “You were right and only looking out for a baby. I wouldn't take it to heart, she probably just felt defensive and maybe a bit stupid. People react oddly sometimes whiten they've inadvertently done something dangerous.”
“I think you did the right thing OP but it’s never going to go down well. Hopefully, she will look it up and realise how dangerous it is. I hope her baby is ok,” said another.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
