The dangerous buggy mistake most parents are making

We are all just doing our best. 

Which is why I was horrified to discover that something I do in the summer on a regular basis could be harming my baby.

Swedish researchers have found that covering a pram with a blanket to protect from the sun can have a furnace-like effect – even if the material is very thin.

The issue is that the low level of air circulation can cause the temperature inside the pram to skyrocket to very dangerous levels especially as young infants and children have difficulty regulating their body temperature.

I used to drape my light summer wrap over the pram to shield from the sun when out and about with baby and mostly when the baby fell asleep. 

Interesting, the research found that with a cover the temperature inside a pram left out in the heat was about 22 degrees celsius but covered with a thin cover for half an hour the temperature rose to 34 degrees. After an hour it had shot up to 37 degrees.

Paediatrician at the Children's hospital in Stockholm, Svante Norgen says:

“It gets extremely hot down in the pram, something like a thermos. There is also bad circulation of the air and it is hard to see the baby with a cover over the pram."

So what should we do instead?

1. Try to ensure that the air circulates around your baby by removing the back panel (if possible) or placing them in more open strollers.

2. Use aerated covers made of mesh material where possible (these circulate air better.)

3. Regularly check your baby’s temperature manually.

4. Use UV covers.

5. Restrict pram walking in summer  – stay in with the infant during the hottest hours.

 If your baby feels hot to the touch or is sweating a lot –  it’s time to get out of the sun.