Parents who take their children out for a stroll in the sunshine have been warned to avoid a mistake that many make when trying to shade their little one from the hot weather.
Experts say that parents must not cover prams with a blanket or cloth to shield their kids from the sun. Doing so can in fact make things worse, by creating a ‘greenhouse’ effect which can cause children to overheat.
A Swedish study carried out several years ago found that a pram left out in the sunshine reached temperatures of 22 degrees - but this jumped to 34 degrees just half an hour after a thin cover was placed over it. The pram’s temperature eventually climbed to 37 degrees after being covered for an hour.
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Parents should instead use a sunshade or parasol clipped to the side of the buggy to give their baby some shade, The Mirror reports . The NHS has issued advice on how to keep young children safe in the sun as a June heatwave descends on the UK.
The NHS advises that babies younger than six months old should be kept out of direct sunlight, while older babies should also be kept out of the sun as much as possible - particularly during the hottest parts of the day between 11am and 3pm. They also urge parents to regularly apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to their baby’s skin, and ensure they wear a sunhat that offers protection to their neck as well as their head.
They have also offered advice to parents on how to keep children cool as temperatures soar over the summer, which includes letting them play in a paddling pool and running them a cool bath before bedtime. The NHS also suggests keeping baby bedrooms cool by closing blinds or curtains during the day.
Adding that babies sleep most comfortably when their bedroom is between 16 and 20 degrees, they advise that parents keep a thermometer in the nursery to monitor the temperature as well as keeping their baby’s nightwear and bedclothes to a minimum.
Overheating can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS, warn experts at the Lullaby Trust. Babies can overheat when their room is too hot or due to being covered with too much bedding or clothing, according to the NHS website.
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