“Don’t make this pram mistake”: A nurse’s plea
We’ve hit peak summer and while the warmer weather is very welcome, it can be difficult to keep your little ones cool.
While out and about, many parents will (with the best of intentions) reach for a cloth to cover the pram to keep their baby out of the sun.
While this makes sense in theory, there’s a good chance the temperature inside the pram could exceed what’s happening on the outside.
“This can be dangerous”
Sarah Hunstead, a paediatric nurse and founder of CPR Kids, recently shared a post on the CPR Kids Instagram that warned: “Don’t make this pram mistake. Covering your baby’s pram like this picture can be dangerous.
“With summer here, protecting your baby from the sun is very important. But equally important is protecting them from the heat.
“Covering a pram can reduce the air circulation, therefore increasing the internal pram temperature significantly, even in mild weather.”
The post also offers some pram safety tips for parents to keep baby safe on a hot day.
- P: protect from the sun
- R: regularly check your baby
- A: air circulation is key
- M: make sure you can see the baby
If you feel like you need a shade cloth, make sure it’s designed for your pram and has adequate circulation.
The pram temperature test
In 2019, CPR Kids conducted an experiment to see how hot it can get inside a pram with a cover, and the results will make you think twice before covering your pram.
“We did a test with a pram, in an inside room, in 30-minute intervals. The pram was set up in its bassinet function, with a light muslin cloth covering it completely, and secured (as it was in the previous testing),” explains an article on the CPR Kids blog.
“Our reason for doing this in a room with no air conditioning or fans was to demonstrate the importance air circulation plays, and how a lack of it really impacts the temperature a baby is exposed to inside.”
The results found that even in a mild environment away from direct sunlight, the pram temperature can rise quickly.
“In just an hour, an increase of almost 8 degrees can be seen – reaching a very uncomfortable and potentially dangerous temperature of 36.9 degrees, compared to a mild 28 degrees outside of the pram.”
Best pram covers
The Tell Me Baby community has rated the best pram accessories they’ve tried and shared their opinions on what has or hasn’t worked for them.
Based on their pram accessory reviews, here’s their top picks for pram covers.
