I’m a doctor – here’s the life-threatening mistake parents make with baby prams in the heat
AS the hot weather hits today around the UK it’s only natural to want to protect your baby from the sun.
Many parents will instinctively cover their little one’s pram in the sunshine – but is this safe?
Some fear their baby will overheat and suffocate if they cover the pram.
While others think they are doing the right thing by shielding them from harmful UV rays.
Today temperatures are set to hit 26C, with the Met Office predicting it will be the hottest day of the year so far.
The sweltering temperatures will leave many parents wondering how best to protect their baby from the heat.
Dr Rahul Chodhari, from the Royal College of Paediatrics, told Fabulous Digital the danger comes with what is being used to cover prams.
He said: “The highest risk of overheating is between 11am and 3pm, which is when the sun is at its strongest.”
MOST READ IN PARENTING
Dr Chodhari said the key is to consider what you’re covering the pram with – opting for thick blankets can cause the pram to become “considerably warm”.
He added: “Generally a cover isn’t a risk if it’s thin, mesh material.”
As well as the type of material, Dr Chodhari urged parents to consider the colour of any materials too.
“Light synthetic meshes are slightly better than darker colours, ” he said.
“Lighter shades don’t absorb most of the heat, and reflect it back in some ways.”
Previous research by Swedish paediatrician Svante Norgren found that a pram put outside between 11.30am and 1pm reached 22C without a cover.
And when it was covered it jumped to a dangerous 34C – but of course anything left out in direct sunlight for several hours will get too hot and it’s not something you are going to do with your baby.
NHS advice on children and hot weather
- Babies less than 6 months old should be kept out of direct sunlight. Their skin contains too little melanin, which is the pigment that gives skin, hair and eyes their colour, and provides some protection from the sun.
- Older infants should also be kept out of the sun as much as possible, particularly in the summer and between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest.
- If you go out when it’s hot, attach a parasol or sunshade to your baby’s pushchair to keep them out of direct sunlight.
“There are three risks we worry about; dehydration, heat exhaustion or stroke and sunburn,” Dr Chodhari added.
“Children are more vulnerable that adults are, so often we might not realise it’s hot but we have to take extra precaution for children especially if they are under one year old.
“The thing to think about is the sunscreen protection, at least SPF 15 is needed, even though the baby might not be going out in direct sun.
“Attaching a parasol or a sunshade alone can reduce the risk of overheating.
“If they are more than six months old they tend to get a bit bored with water, so try diluted fruit juice, home-made ice lollies, ice cubes – they are a great way to keep children cooler.”
The NHS advises parents to apply sunscreen to your baby regularly, if they are old enough, and make sure it’s at least SPF 30.
Keep your baby well hydrated with plenty of water, or if you are breastfeeding be aware they may want to be fed more than normal.
Paddling pools are also a great way to keep little ones cool, just be sure to keep them in the shade.