28/06/2025
☀️ Throwing a cover over the buggy when out and about with your baby might seem like an obvious way to keep them cool and protected from the sun on a hot summer day.
‼️BUT did you know that covering your baby’s pram with a blanket on a hot day can significantly increase the temperature inside the pram, possibly to levels that could cause your baby to overheat.
🌡️ Babies and young children are more vulnerable to the heat than older children and adults. That’s because they sweat less, their ability to regulate body temperature is less efficient and they can’t tell you when they’re feeling too hot. This puts them at increased risk of heat-related illness, dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
So, if you’re taking your baby out in a pushchair on a hot, sunny day:
✅ Make sure your pram is covered – preferably with an in-built sunshade (if your pram has one) or a light, well-ventilated, attachable one. These will keep baby shaded while ensuring adequate airflow.
✅ Dress baby in lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
✅ Give your baby more fluids than usual, to keep hydrated - this might mean extra breast or bottle feeds.
✅ Avoid peak hours and stick to the shade as much as possible.
✅ Check on little ones often, feeling their skin to ensure they’re cool.
👍 It is better for them to be covered by something light than to be in direct sunlight while it is hot but only for a very short period of time while you seek shade.
🙌 TAG a new mum or dad who might find this useful.
