Now the warmer weather is here, it is even more of an excuse to get outside and enjoy the fresh air! Especially whilst social distancing and COVID19 is prevalent.
An essential item we all have with a new baby or toddler is a push chair. Do you call it a push chair, a buggy or a pram?
I could not be without a pushchair whilst nannying in Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire. It’s great for getting in some extra steps by walking, running or even buggyfit with newborns, babies and toddlers; it is also great for the little ones’ nap times.
Luckily the sun shades or sun hoods which I have had on all of my nannying pushchairs have been fantastic. They have all had an extendable range, which allows breathability and a darker environment for napping (Bugaboo and Baby Jogger). Although some push chairs do not have an extendable sun hood. As easy as it may seem, to tie a muslin or thin blanket on the front of the pushchair for a minimal time, please keep on reading as to why you shouldn’t.
A number of studies have shown placing a thin blanket or muslin on the front of the push chair, to cover the baby can be very dangerous! Even the lightest of blankets can cause your baby or the baby/toddler in your care, whilst nannying, to develop heatstroke or possible SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
“The effects of the sun on a pram's temperature, leaving it in the midday sun between 11:30am and 1pm.Without a cover it reached a temperature of 22 degrees, but when a thin cover was placed over the stroller for 30 minutes it soared to 34 degrees.” The Independent Newspaper, Matt Payton, 19th July 2016.
A great alternative to buying a new push chair with an extendable, breathable hood is to purchase a sun umbrella, which attaches easily to the push chair. I would also recommend having a cool water bottle, frozen ice packs and wet wipes underneath your push chair, in the event that the temperature rises suddenly whilst you are out and about.
If you see another nanny, a parent, a grandparent, aunty or uncle or a friend with a blanket over their pushchair, please make them aware that it is not safe and can cause overheating and SIDS.
I do.
Please do remember to keep safe whilst out and about! Secondly, enjoy the sunshine whilst it’s here. It’s not often we have a lovely spring and summer in the UK.
Recommendations of products:
Bugaboo Parasol
iCandy Pushchair Sunshade
Silver Cross Parasol
Bugaboo Sun Canopy
*Please note these products are not endorsed, sponsored or an affiliated ad.
*This blog has been written by Little Steps Agency and whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information included in this article is accurate at the point of release, this should not be relied upon as legal advice.
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