Source: CANVA

There certainly is an abundance of articles that warn against covering prams, even if it's something like a light muslin cloth, but have you ever been surprised at how warm it is when you remove your baby from your cover-free pram?

Let's consider how a pram warms up even when uncovered.  

Factors that contribute towards the rising temperature within an uncovered pram include:

• Body heat radiating from the child - babies and young children cannot regulate their body temperatures until around 18 months of age.  This means they can gain heat (and lose heat) rapidly.

• Babies and young children have a higher average body temperature - due to their bodies being more metabolically active.  They also sweat less, which is the body's way to release heat and keep cool. 

• The pram retains heat - the pram body and fabric can get quite warm after sun exposure, due to the materials used in manufacturing: Polyester/nylon material, recycled plastic, aluminium frame, etc.  

• Dark colours absorb heat – 9 out of 10 prams are either black or dark grey.  Although darker colours are better for UV protection, it can also absorb and retain heat.

• Restraints are insulators - soft padding on 5-point harnesses are there for safety and comfort, but the extra thick padding is situated over the child's neck, chest, tummy and crotch area (where all of the body heat comes from!)

• Hot air rises - the road and footpath retains heat for several hours after a hot sunny day, and can get trapped under a closed pram canopy/hood, which ironically is extended to shield the baby from the sun and heat.  

• Capsules (infant car seats) cocoons the baby - the padding and infant insert is designed to keep the baby fitted snugly, aimed to provide better support when the vehicle is in motion, and better protection in the event of a collision.  Furthermore, a single car ride on an average outing is quite short, ranging from 5-20 minutes, and the small confined space of the car makes air conditioning more efficient, so the 'cocooning' doesn't pose an issue here.  When used as a pram attachment, however, the baby can be left in the capsule for a longer period of time (30-60 min, or longer with a nap).  The prolonged restrained and padded position can lead to a slow and gradual rise in body heat and pram temperature, even more if you're outdoors on a hot and humid day.  

The pram and baby can get warm even when the pram isn't covered.  

It goes to show that, not covering your pram out of concerns of trapping heat, doesn't necessarily mean your pram won't heat up.  There is also the very real danger of UV exposure (we will delve deeper into this in the next blog).  So does that mean it is safer to cover prams?  It would be if it was done properly, but the problem is the potentially devastating outcome if it is NOT done properly.     

THERE'S MORE... Hot air may not be the only invisible enemy 

It is not only hot air that can get trapped inside a covered pram, but also the carbon dioxide respired by the child.  It won’t be much, but left long enough, the level of CO2 in a confined space with poor ventilation will build up.  Although there is no study to support this and (thankfully) there has never been a case as extreme as a baby suffering from CO2 poisoning in a covered pram, it is worth mentioning because that is another reason why AIR PERMEABILITY IS SO IMPORTANT.

Source: Bub2Tot 8in1

With all of the warnings out there, why are prams still being covered?

Before judging a parent who has a cover on their pram, keep in mind that they may already be well aware of the potential dangers.  After all, what you see is a fleeting moment.  Maybe they chose to cover and make frequent checks, having recently lost a friend to skin cancer.  They may have had a complete stranger reach in and stroke their premie's face (some people have no concept of boundaries).  Or perhaps, they simply don’t know, because no one goes into parenthood knowing everything. 

We should support and inform parents of safer options, rather than assume they are knowingly endangering their baby.

So what are our options? 

The best and safest option is and always will be seeking shade and staying indoors in an air conditioned environment, on top of frequent checks on your child.  The reality is that the best and safest option isn't always available.   

So that parents don’t have to compromise their child’s sun safety over concerns of trapping heat, we have prepared a list for those who want to remain COVER-FREE, and those who want to COVER SAFELY.

For those who want to avoid covering altogether, here are some COVER-FREE RECOMMENDATIONS: 

• Shade with an umbrella/parasol or take a different route that offers more shade 

• Open up all available vents to increase air flow within the pram 

• Use a pram fan 

• Remove unnecessary layers off the child

• Cover your baby's exposed skin with light material (HINT: Bright colours offer better UV protection) 

• Check baby frequently and maintain visibility of your child at all times 

• Ensure your child is well hydrated

• Avoid outings in the hottest part of the day (check government sites such as ARPANSA and BOM or download the free SunSmart App to get real time UV readings) 

Source: SunSmart App 
  

For those looking for a SAFE COVER OPTION with extra UV protection: 

DO NOT: 

• Rely on untested materials such as muslin cloths and blankets.  Although at times these can be better than nothing at all, they are not purpose designed and not UPF rated, which gives you a false sense of protection. 

• Purchase a pram cover based on pretty patterns/designs, or because it is made of organic cotton.  A fashion item won't offer the best UV protection.   

• Forget to observe other sun safe measures, even with a safe cover option. 

• Confuse BREATHABLE with AIR PERMEABLE.  Breathable in textile terms DOES NOT mean you can breathe through it.   

DO: 

• Research and arm yourself with relevant information from credible sources to make informed decisions that suit you and your baby's individual needs. 

• Look for AIR PERMEABILITY.  The importance of air circulation cannot be stressed enough! 

• Opt for something with UPF 50+ rating 

• Choose tested products, especially those that meet safety and product standards.

• Open up all available pram vents to increase air flow within the pram

• Remove unnecessary layers off the child

• Use a pram fan

• Check baby frequently or maintain visibility of your child at all times 

• Keep child hydrated

• Continue to observe sun safe measures

• Remove the cover when UV protection is not required (ie. indoors)

• Avoid outings in the hottest part of the day (check government sites such as ARPANSA and BOM or download the free SunSmart App to get real time UV readings) 

• Remember the PRAM acronym:

Image source: CPR Kids

With life being so fast paced, it can be easy to overlook not just your child's sun safety, but also your own.  As the old saying goes, 'Monkey see, monkey do'!  Leading by example is always the best way.  

Stay safe, stay SUN safe  

CPR Kids post is for information only and not in anyway affiliated with Bub2Tot 8in1 or Mommy Lovey.