A mum has revealed how she has been trolled online and called a "monster" for deciding to laser her baby's large facial birthmark.
Brooke Atkins, 33, is a stay-at-home mum from the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
She has two children with her partner Kewene Wallace, 27 - a 2-year-old daughter Amarni and six-month-old baby boy Kingsley.
When Kingsley was born in January, it became apparent he had a large mark covering half of his face, known as a port wine stain.
Port-wine stain birthmarks are typically harmless, but if they occur on the face or the eye area they are sometimes linked to glaucoma and a rare neurological disorder called Sturge Weber Syndrome.
Sturge-Weber syndrome causes seizures and other disabilities, while glaucoma effects vision and can cause blindness.
Kingsley was diagnosed with both, and port wine stains will darken and change over time.
Speaking to NeedToKnow.online, Brooke explained: "They can develop a ‘cobblestone’ appearance, with raised bumps, ridges and the risk of vascular blebs, where they dangerously bleed.
"Once a port wine stain gets to this stage, it is often very difficult to treat and laser barely has any affect, as the skin is already far too damaged."
The family made the decision to use later treatment on Kingsley's mark, on 31 May.
Brooke said: "The only way to treat a port wine stain is through laser treatments and the most effective laser for a it is called a Pulsed Dye Laser.
"When he was first born, we were referred to the Queensland Children’s Hospital dermatology and vascular department, where they organise 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."
Whilst Kingsley's family are amazed at him, TikTok trolls have criticised Brooke and called her a "monster" for choosing to put her son through treatment.
One person said: "Don’t think I could laser my baby."
Another commented: "That birthmark is barely visible, what you're doing to him is horrible, it's more for you than him."
Someone else said: "Did you deadass laser a baby." [sic]
"Brainwashed mother making her kid insecure the second he gets out the womb," commented another user.
"Why is everyone supporting this," commented someone else.
Yet others have quickly been supportive and encouraging.
One person said: "You’re the mom and you know what is the best for him."
Another commented: "He would've still looked as beautiful with or without the birthmark."
Of the reception she has received online, Brooke 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.
“Thankfully for every negative comment, there were 100 positive, so it helped a lot!
“I just wish these people had known about the health issues connected to these types of birthmarks before writing these things, that this wasn’t for cosmetic reasons and that as parents, this was the hardest decision we have had to make.
“That the last six months have been extremely hard on us and reading these comments, actually do hurt – this is the last thing we need, judgement from those who have no understanding around my sons conditions.”
She added: "Although I constantly worry about my son’s future and what it will be like, he continues to hit all his milestones.
"This journey for our family has just started and there is a long road ahead but we will push through!
"Over 20 hospital appointments, two different hospitals, over 10 different specialists and doctors, five different medical departments, three MRI’s, one ultrasound, two hearing tests, two operations, two laser treatments and three diagnoses, all in six months – yet he is the happiest, most loving and sweetest boy you will ever meet!"
