Pram Covering: The Uncovered Truth
THE DEBATE
For many parents, covering their baby is an instinct. They cover their babies for sun protection, to encourage naps, to keep off bugs, or to deter strangers.
Countless articles circulate the internet on the dangers of covering prams, warning that the practise will harm the child inside. Concerns of trapping heat, suffocation hazard, and restricting oxygen are echoed from site to site. Along with these are a few select groups such as Muslin Sun Shade Musluv and Parenting Information Website Made For Mums who speak against the warnings after conducting their own tests. Their tests have something in common - their tests were CONTROLLED.
THE UNCOVERED TRUTH
Dozens of tests has been carried out on the temperature of covered prams by people representing parenting groups and even medical professionals - in other words, sources trusted by parents. Almost all of those who warned about the dangers has referred to a '2014 Swedish Study', claimed research without citing a source, or conducted tests that only tested a single scenario - the temperature change inside a covered pram. Remember that testing a single scenario will only yield a single result, in this case - a temperature rise.
Additionally, previous tests leave a covered pram in the midday sun for 1 hour or more. This is a severely exaggerated example given that sensible parents would instinctively move their baby out of direct sunlight, and would also make frequent checks on the welfare of their child.
THE SOURCE
In 2014, Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet (Stockholm) published an article that will set off a ripple effect across the globe. A Svenska Dagbladet reporter tested the temperature inside a covered pram that was left out in the midday sun from 11:30am to 01:00pm. A 15°C increase was measured and taken to the Astrid Lindgren children's hospital in Stockholm for 'an expert's opinion' from Svante Norgren, a paediatrician who was never personally involved in the experiment. The newspaper published the findings of their own experiment and soon gained the attention of parents, newspapers and health professionals worldwide.
This newspaper article has been referred to as a 'Swedish Study', 'Researchers in Sweden', or simply 'Research'. It was neither peer reviewed nor academically published with sources cited or referenced. To date, there are no peer reviewed study or academic research on pram coverings temperature testing in existence.
THE IMPACT
Since its publication, the impact of the Swedish newspaper experiment has had on parents halfway across the world here in Australia has been exponential. With Australia having one of the highest skin cancer ratings in the world, we MUST include the dangers of UV exposure in the debate of pram covering.
"The Australian College of Dermatologists and Cancer Council Australia recommend that babies under 12 months are kept out of direct sunlight when the UV Index is three or higher. Exposure to UV radiation during the first 15 years of life greatly increases the risk of developing skin cancer later in life" - Queensland Health
Summer UV levels in Stockholm barely brushes a temperate maximum of 5 with average Summer highs of 22°C. Compared to Australia, our daily maximum values in the Summer months are in the extreme levels of 12 - 14 with average Summer temperatures of 30°C and above. The true impact, is that for the last 8 years, an entire generation of Australian babies has inadvertently been put at risk of unnecessary and avoidable exposure to UV radiation.
"A baby's skin is thin, extremely sensitive and can burn easily. The more sun exposure during childhood, the greater the risk of skin cancer in later life." - SunSmart
"A baby's skin is thin, extremely sensitive and can burn easily. The more sun exposure during childhood, the greater the risk of skin cancer in later life." - SunSmart
THE CONTROLLED EXPERIMENT
Image: Temperatures from 4 different pram shading scenarios were measured and compared using the temperature of an uncovered pram in shade as a control. Source: Bub2Tot 8in1
Image: Testing method, testing conditions and results showing the controlled test in detail. Source: Bub2Tot 8in1
LIMITATIONS:- Results are only relevant to the conditions on the day of testing.
- Alternate covering options (blankets or parasols) not tested.
- Indoor conditions not tested.
- A doll was used instead of a real child (a secondary heat source).
- 15 - 17 min tests were chosen as a more realistic amount of time a parent will take between checks on an infant.
THE RESULTS
Just as the controlled tests done by Musluv and Made For Mums were, our test results also show that the uncovered pram had the highest increase in internal temperature, reaching a whopping 52.5°C!
"A child is at risk of a burn when a surface exceeds 50°C and when the skin is heated to 45°C for a prolonged period. At surface temperatures greater than 50°C, tender young skin can be burned severely within seconds and may require surgery." - Kidsafe
Does this mean that covering prams are the best option? Not exactly. Ensuring airflow and maintaining visual of your child is vital for pram and sleep safety, so partial covering or remaining in shade will keep your child safer from harmful UV rays as well as the heat on warmer days. It is also important to remove any potential suffocation risks, so any form of coverings must be secure with full adult supervision at all times. If pram coverings make you feel nervous, read our tips on how to give your baby adequate sun protection without covering.
Image: Ensuring airflow and maintaining visual of your child is vital for pram and sleep safety, so partial covering or remaining in shade will keep your child safer from harmful UV rays as well as the summer heat.
THE GOOD NEWS
If you're not sure what advice to turn to, there is a simple answer. Since most parents already have a digital thermometer in their medicine cabinet, DIY pram temperature tests can easily be done. We recommend parents and carers do their own testing of various covering options to achieve results that apply best to individual circumstances. 15 min tests are recommended, and pram vents should always remain open for optimal airflow. Results will vary depending on location, weather conditions, the cover used, and how it is used.