A mother in Australia is defending her decision to pursue laser treatment for her infant son’s port-wine stain after facing a wave of criticism online, insisting that his health — not his appearance — was the driving force behind the choice.

Brooke Atkins, 33, welcomed her son Kingsley in January and was immediately struck by the prominent red birthmark covering a significant portion of his face. Because the mark extended over the area surrounding one of his eyes, doctors warned the family that it could be associated with potentially serious medical conditions

While port-wine stains are generally harmless, those appearing near the eye can be connected to glaucoma and Sturge-Weber syndrome. Kingsley was diagnosed with both conditions, leading his parents to follow doctors’ recommendations and begin laser treatments in late May.

Atkins said specialists at Queensland Children’s Hospital made clear that the goal of the procedures was not simply cosmetic. Rather, the treatments were intended to help maintain the health of the affected skin and prevent additional complications.

Still, once Atkins began documenting her son’s medical journey online, she found herself facing fierce criticism from strangers.

Baby Kingsley with his father after a laser treatment session for a port-wine stain birthmark on his face.
Some social media users questioned whether a baby should undergo laser treatment, while others accused Atkins of making a harmful decision on her son’s behalf.

The comments took an emotional toll on the mother.

Atkins, who also has a 2-year-old daughter named Amarni, acknowledged that the criticism caused her to experience significant “mum guilt.” Although she believed she had made the right decision based on medical guidance, the harsh reactions made her second-guess herself.

Supporters soon rallied around the family, with many praising Atkins for advocating for her son and helping educate others about the potential health implications associated with port-wine stains.

Baby Kingsley with a large birthmark covering one side of his face.
Kingsley’s treatment has already required an extraordinary amount of medical care. According to Atkins, the infant has been seen by numerous specialists and undergone scans, hearing evaluations, operations and laser procedures during his first six months of life.

Despite the exhausting medical schedule, Atkins says her son remains cheerful, affectionate and full of energy.

Baby Kingsley wearing a rust-colored crewneck sweatshirt sitting in a bed.
She also says Kingsley has responded positively to his treatments, with another laser appointment planned for August.

For the family, the experience has highlighted the difficult decisions parents sometimes face when protecting their children’s health — and the danger of judging those decisions without knowing the full medical story behind them.