An Australian mother named Brooke Atkins is being dragged by internet trolls and labeled a “monster” after removing her newborn’s facial birthmark with a laser.
Australian Parents Decide To Remove Newborn’s Facial Birthmark With Laser
In January 2022, the 33-year-old mother recently gave birth to her second child, a baby boy named Kinglsey. She previously welcomed her 2-year-old daughter Amarni with her partner Kewene Wallace.
Upon welcoming her son into the world, Atkins noticed that half of his face was covered by a birthmark. Kinglsey’s mark is called a port-wine stain birthmark, which is usually harmless.
However, if the mark sits over the eye — which in this case it does — it can be linked to glaucoma (blindness) and Sturge-Weber syndrome (seizures, etc.).
So, Kingsley’s parents decided it was best to get laser treatment at the end of May; but TikTok users slammed his mom.
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Australian Mother Labeled A ‘Monster’ After Removing Newborn’s Facial Birthmark With Laser
While explaining why she and Kingsley’s dad opted for laser to save their child, Atkins explained to NeedToKnow.online:
“When he was first born, we were referred to the Queensland Children’s Hospital dermatology and vascular department, where they organize the first treatment and explain in further details why laser would be important.
The purpose of the laser treatments are not to ‘remove’ the birthmark but instead keep the skin healthy, to prevent any further damage to the area.”
However, the folks over on TikTok jumped to their own conclusions without hearing all of the facts and called out Kingsley’s mother.
Some users labeled the mother of two a “monster” for giving her baby laser surgery. Others said, “Why is everyone supporting this?”
Other users said, “Don’t think I could laser my baby,” while another wrote, “Brainwashed mother making her kid insecure the second he gets out the womb.”
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Atkins did admit that the consistent negative comments surely made her question her and her partner’s decision.
She said, “Honestly, when I first started reading the negative comments, I sat there for a good half an hour and cried to myself. I had a whole heap of mum guilt, and it made me question my decision. Even though I knew I was doing the right thing, the cruel words still played in my head.”
But the great news was that as Atkins shared her journey with little Kingsley, several thousands of users were following along and supporting them.
Some even looked to them to better learn about the condition.
Now, according to the Mayo Clinic, it is reported that port-wine birthmarks sometimes occur with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome or Sturge-Weber syndrome, which usually requires regular medical evaluation.
But, in Kingsley’s case, he has been responding well to the treatments thus far and has another laser appointment set in August.
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