Key Points
- Babies younger than six months should not be taken outside in hot weather
- Babies older than six months should be kept in the shade at all times and dressed in lightweight clothing with the appropriate protection
- A stroller fan, canopy, umbrella, and ventilation panels can be used to keep the pram cool
- Babies can suffer from heat exhaustion quicker than adults, so you must monitor and protect them from the hot weather.
Summer is one of the best times of year to take your baby on bonding experiences. Whether you’re planning a trip to the park, zoo, beach, or somewhere else, parents love getting out in the sunshine with their little ones.
However, sunny weather also brings the risk of heat stress for young children. This can make them ill and might even call for a trip to the hospital, so it is vital that you know how to keep your little one cool in their pram.
This article will discuss keeping your baby cool in a stroller when it’s hot outside.
Content in this article
- How To Keep A Baby Cool In A Pram?
- Is It Safe To Take Your Baby Out For A Walk In Hot Weather?
- How To Tell If A Baby Is Overheating In A Pram?
- Why Is It Important To Keep Your Baby Cool?
How To Keep A Baby Cool In A Pram?
Even when the sun is blazing, adventure awaits! However, the impact of extreme heat and hot weather is harmful to human health and society; babies are no exception. Young children are even more at risk in hot weather, so keeping the pram cool is vital.
In summer weather, when the heat is at its peak, parents are responsible for carefully managing the risk of heat stress and ensuring their infants are comfortable.
Making informed decisions daily to keep babies cool is crucial in protecting our little ones from heat-related illnesses. Some strategies to keep your baby cool when planning your outdoor activities are detailed below:
Seek Out Shaded Areas
Whenever possible, walk in shaded areas with your stroller. Prioritise your little one being in the shade over you being in the sun. Most strollers will have a canopy, so use this to cover your child if there is no natural shade around you. Bonus points if your stroller has a canopy extender!
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Everyone needs more fluids in the summer weather, and babies are no different. Expect your baby to need more fluids in hot weather, so pack enough formula, breast milk, or water to accommodate this. Babies above six months can drink up to eight ounces of water daily, so consider this if your baby is old enough for healthy hydration in the summer weather.
Harness The Power Of A Stroller Fan
Stroller fans are so helpful when keeping your baby cool in a stroller. A stroller fan can wrap around the bars of the pram to point in the general direction of your baby, providing a cool breeze to counteract the heat. When planning a holiday with a drastically different climate to your own, we always recommend packing a stroller fan!
Try A Misting Water Bottle
When all else fails, you can spray cool water on your baby’s skin to lower their temperature. Make sure that their clothes don’t get too wet as this can be uncomfortable, and it might even make them sick! You could also use a clean cloth to dab water onto their skin, which has the same effect without the jerking spray movement.
Dress Your Baby In Lightweight Clothing
You should always dress your child in lightweight, layered clothing, making it easier for you to add and remove layers as the weather changes. However, in summer, light clothing is essential. Look for cotton clothing, which is the most breathable fabric for baby clothes. Don’t forget to cover your baby’s head with a cotton, wide-brimmed hat to protect their face and neck.
Optimise Ventilation
Most modern strollers come with ample ventilation to accommodate different weather conditions. But some need to be adjusted so that you can make the most of these features. Check your stroller’s manual to see if the stroller has any mesh windows that can open, back ventilation to be uncovered, or padding to be removed.
Padding often holds heat and warms the entire stroller up, so if you can remove it without compromising your baby’s comfort, we suggest you give it a go.
Is It Safe To Cover A Pram With A Blanket?
No! Covering a pram with a blanket is unsafe, as this can trap heat inside the stroller and make your baby even warmer. You can use the pram canopy instead, as this offers some protection from the sun without reducing air circulation. A stroller umbrella or a canopy extender are good, safe pram cover options.
Is It Safe To Cover A Pram With A Muslin Cloth?
A muslin cloth is more breathable and lightweight than a blanket, but covering a pram with one is still unsafe. Even a thin muslin blanket will trap heat within the pram, increasing the internal temperature and putting your child at risk of heat stress.
Cover your pram with certified safe products, such as a rain cover (although not in hot weather), a stroller canopy or an umbrella.
Is It Safe To Take Your Baby Out For A Walk In Hot Weather?
It is safe to take your baby outside for short periods in hot weather if you take all the necessary precautions. To keep your baby safe in the sun, you should not go out with your baby in the hottest hours, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Keep your baby in the shade as much as possible and cover their pram with baby-safe accessories such as a stroller umbrella. Ensure you always have enough fluids on hand, and offer them to your little one often.
Keep your walk short and sweet, and check on your baby often. Take them home immediately if you think they look like they’re struggling in the heat.
Should I Put Suncream On My Baby?
Babies younger than six months should not wear sunscreen, but babies older than six months can use a small amount of 50+ SPF when in the sun. However, many experts suggest you skip the sunscreen and keep your baby in the shade at all times if you can’t keep them indoors. Sunscreen on infants is not usually recommended because they’re more at risk of developing rashes, thanks to their sensitive skin.
Some sunscreens on the market are designed for kids’ skin and can be used from six months of age. So, whether you choose to use suncream on your baby is down to parental discretion.
Should My Baby Wear Sunglasses?
Ideally, yes. Your baby should start wearing sunglasses from six months of age, as they can shield your baby’s delicate eyes and skin from harmful solar rays. Babies younger than six months should be kept out of the sun as much as possible so they don’t need to wear sunglasses.
It can be challenging to keep sunglasses on little children and babies, but the benefits of protecting their eyes are worth the struggle.
Are There Any Other Sun Safety Precautions I Need To Take When Walking My Baby In The Hot Weather?
You can never be too careful when taking your baby out in the sun for a walk, so there are plenty of precautions you can take. We have detailed some of the most important below:
Keep Them In Cool Clothing
Always keep your baby in minimal clothing when walking in hot weather. Think cotton, breathable layers. A T-shirt and shorts will be fine, or a dress. Use a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to keep the sun from their eyes.
Some parents believe no clothing is better when walking with babies in hot weather, but this often isn’t the case. Lightweight clothing can protect the skin from sun exposure, so it’s best to keep them dressed in minimal layers.
Carry Plenty Of Water
Babies over six months can drink between 4 and 8 ounces of water daily, which can help regulate their temperature. Children younger than six months should be offered more formula or breast milk during hot weather, so ensure you’re prepared for an extra feed while out and about.
Check Their Temperature
Check on your little one regularly while out in hot weather. Signs of heat stress include looking unresponsive, sluggish, or clammy. Their skin might also feel hot to the touch and moist. Heat stress often makes babies tired and not act like themselves, so if you think your baby is acting differently during your walk, get them inside immediately and out of the heat.
Keep Yourself Safe!
Who will look after your little one if you’re suffering from heat stress yourself?! Ensure you drink enough fluids, wear the correct clothing and protection, and stay in the shade as much as possible. Keeping yourself safe in the heat is one of the best safety precautions you can take when with your baby in hot weather.
What Temperature Is Too Hot To Walk A Baby?
Experts advise not taking babies out for a walk in weather hotter than 32 degrees. Babies cannot sweat, so they suffer from heat stroke much quicker than adults or older children. Babies also tend to get dehydrated quicker, which can add to their heat stress. To protect babies and toddlers in the heat, it’s advised not to take them outside when the temperature is between 26 and 32 degrees.
How To Tell If A Baby Is Overheating In A Pram?
Knowing the signs of heat stress in infants when taking your baby outside in summer is vital. Babies can easily suffer from heat stroke because of their inability to regulate their temperatures, so knowing the signs to look for is essential for any parent.
Some few signs that indicate that your baby is overheating are detailed below:
- The baby feels excessively warm, either with or without a fever
- The baby’s complexion appears flushed or red
- The baby is sweating or has damp hair (although it’s important to note that some babies may not sweat even when overheated)
- The baby becomes fussy or restless
- The baby’s heart rate is elevated (tachycardia)
- The baby appears excessively tired, lazy, or lacking energy
- The baby seems confused, weak, or dizzy
- The baby experiences feelings of nausea or exhibits vomiting
The quicker you spot these symptoms, the quicker you can take action and get your baby help. Call your doctor immediately if you think your baby is suffering from heat stress so they can advise you on what to do next.
To prevent your baby from becoming overheated in the blazing sun, consider taking the following precautions while outdoors:
Check Your Baby’s Skin Temperature
Your baby might be overheating if their skin feels hot, clammy, or moist. Generally, a temperature of over 37.5 degrees Celsius constitutes a fever in babies, so if your baby’s skin is around this temperature after being in the sun, they’ve likely overheated.
Check Your Baby’s Breathing
Overheated babies can start to breathe differently, so listen out for changes in their breathing. Short, quick breaths are often associated with overheating.
Check If Your Baby Has Wet Nappies
Young babies don’t often sweat, so checking if they’re sweaty isn’t an accurate way to determine whether they’re overheating. Instead, you should check their nappies – if they’re not producing wet ones, it could be a sign of dehydration and overheating.
Check Your Baby’s Energy Level
Babies appearing sluggish or unresponsive are significant signs of overheating. Irritability, fussiness, or poor activity can also indicate overheating or signs of dehydration. Parents who notice these signs in their children should get them inside immediately and call a healthcare professional.
What Should I Do If My Baby Is Overheating In The Pram?
Parents who believe their baby is overheating should remain calm and get them inside as quickly as possible. Remove them from the pram, as the seat might make them warmer if it’s been in the sun for a long time. Offer them fluids and encourage them to drink water (if they’re over six months) or milk.
Make sure you’re in a cool room with your baby – lower rooms will be cooler, as will shaded rooms. Sit on the floor with your little one to make the most of the cooler floor. Remove any layers of clothing you can to encourage the heat to leave their body. Use lukewarm water and a sponge to cool them down. You could also put them in the bath if they’re responsive enough for it to be safe.
Apply a cool compress to their head to get their temperature down. Overheated babies usually want to sleep, so let them rest while monitoring them. Any parent worried about their child’s symptoms should call a healthcare professional immediately.
How Can I Prevent My Baby From Overheating In The Pram?
The easiest way to prevent your baby from overheating in the pram is to simply not take them out. Staying at home during a heatwave is easier and safer, and you don’t have to worry about sun exposure. However, if you need to take your little one out, always stick to the shade and use stroller umbrellas or canopies to keep them safely covered.
A stroller fan is also an excellent idea to keep the air circulating around your baby in their pram and keep them dressed in light clothing. Check that your pram has ventilation panels and open them to maximise cool air getting to your baby as you walk.
Why Is It Important To Keep Your Baby Cool?
Babies can suffer from heat exhaustion much quicker than adults because they can’t regulate their temperature properly. As parents, we must be vigilant regarding our baby’s temperatures, avoiding heat stress, exhaustion, or stroke.
Heat stroke can occur when the body temperature rises to over 40 degrees Celsius, and the consequences can be sinister. Keeping your baby cool prevents them from suffering through the negative side effects of overheating. It also keeps you from the stress of a sick baby and any trips to the hospital.
Final Thoughts On How To Keep Pram Cool
Summer is a beautiful time for families to enjoy each other’s company, and spending time outdoors with your little one in a stroller can be a delightful way to bond and create lasting memories. However, you must take the necessary precautions to prevent your baby from overheating in their pram.
Heat stress can lead to dehydration, lethargy, and sinister consequences. Babies younger than six months shouldn’t be taken out in hot weather, and babies older than six months should always be kept in the shade. Keep the pram cool with canopies, umbrellas, stroller fans, ventilation panels, and cooler packs.