Fans have leaped to the defense of a popular influencer after she was “mom-shamed” for a worrying detail in a recent holiday snap with her two-month-old baby.
Laura Anderson, 41, who appeared on British reality show Love Island UK in 2019, welcomed daughter Bonnie with ex-boyfriend Gary Lucy in September.
But during a recent getaway to Dubai with her young child, Anderson shared a series of photos holding Bonnie on a sun-drenched beach, sparking concern from the TV star’s 1.5 million followers.
In the photos, the new mom can be seen in a pink and orange bikini while cradling her bub on the sand.
Anderson is wearing a black visor for sun protection while Bonnie, who is dressed in just a nappy, has on a white floppy hat and orange sunnies.
However, many argued the baby appeared “red” from sun exposure, claiming Bonnie had been “sunburnt” by the scorching desert heat.
Anderson swiftly deleted the comments on her Instagram post, but not before they’d been spotted and shared online.
“Face looks red on baby but nice shot enjoys,” one wrote, The Sun reported.
“Your baby looks sunburnt,” another read.
Some of the remarks even accused Anderson of endangering her baby.
While many speculated she should be using sunscreen on Bonnie, in Australia, this is not recommended for infants under six months.
This is because “babies aged under six months have highly absorptive skin”, the Cancer Council website explains, adding the Australasian College of Dermatologists recommends minimizing the use of sunscreen.
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Instead, parents should protect babies and children’s skin with physical barriers such as wraps, clothing, and hats and use shade as much as possible.
Many of Anderson’s followers quickly defended the new mom, stating the “nasty comments” were uncalled for.
“Give this beautiful lady a break guys she knows what she doing so please stop with the nasty comments and be nice,” one said.
“Women who come here to comment on someone’s else baby … I have one question – who asked you??!! Mind your own business ladies,” another agreed.
As one stated: “Give this beautiful lady a break guys she knows what she doing so please stop with the nasty comments and be nice.”
Anderson and her ex-partner split before Bonnie was born after meeting on the popular UK reality show Celebs Go Dating last year.
While the pair are committed to co-parenting, fans have speculated they may be back together, prompting Anderson to comment in a post announcing Bonnie’s birth.
“Hi everyone, my name is Bonnie Rose Lucy Anderson. I was born 02/09/23 at 06:03 a.m. and weighed 6.10lbs,” an Instagram post read.
“My Mummy & Daddy are sooooo happy and in love with me, this is our first week together.
“I’m sorry it’s taken me some time to introduce myself, I hurt my mummy a little bit and scared my daddy too (oops) we’re all now recovering well at home.’
Laura finished the caption on the post with: “Please don’t question My Mummy & Daddy on their relationship – This.. is all about me.”