As I write this article, it is currently a scorching 38 degrees outside. My kids and pets are inside in the cool aircon. This got me thinking that as Australian parents, we have an additional responsibility of protecting our children from heat suffocation, dehydration and SIDS.
The majority of us are aware that leaving a child or pet in a car, even with the windows down, on a warm to hot day, can be deadly. Temperatures in a car can increase up to twenty degrees or more than the outside temperature. Leaving the window open, will not cool down the car nor provide the airflow required to decrease the temperature. It is an offence to leave a child or pet in a car on a hot day.
We are blessed to live in Australia. We have fantastic weather, beautiful parks, nature reserves, beaches…Many parents and grandparents can be seen walking their little ones for strolls, parking prams next to park playgrounds so that older kids can play or simply strolling in their street. To avoid the sun shining brightly in their child’s eyes or to assist their baby drift off into dreamland, parents simply sling a thin cotton wrap, light blanket, designer wrap or a towel (yes I have seen a towel being draped over a pram once before) over the pram. They are blissfully unaware that their babies or toddlers are in danger.
According to Swedish research that was recently conducted in Sweden- Wraps or blankets prevent adequate airflow when covering the front of a pram. They cause heat to build up. This can increase the baby’s risk of heat suffocation. Overheating and re-breathing in Carbon Dioxide can increase the baby’s risk of SIDS.
By trying to protect their babies from the heat, sun or by simply trying to aid their little one to snooze, parents are in fact putting their children’s lives in danger. Children cannot regulate their body temperatures the way that adults can. SIDS and Kids recommends on www.sidsnadkids.org “ babies control their temperature predominately through the face. Sleeping baby on the back with the head and face uncovered is the best way to protect baby from overheating.”
A great alternative is Australian product- CoziGo. It is 100% breathable. It is made from mesh fabric, which is also UPF 50+. This means that the child is protected from sunburn and heat. CoziGo also has two-curved zip up openings so that parents can control shade and protect their little ones from the sun.
Factors to look for to ensure that you a purchasing a safe pram cover:
- The product should be tested
- The cover should offer 100% breathability to ensure adequate air flow
- The cover should be made of mesh material
- Look for a cover option that offers UPF 50+ protection
- Ensure that the pram cover is a universal cover so that it fits all prams
- Make sure that the product allows baby or toddler adequate space to kick or move
- Look for a cover than blocks out light to help baby sleep on the move
- There is an Australian pram cover (CoziGo) on the market which can be used on an airline bassinet which is a great bonus when travelling
Additional safety factors to keep your child safe in hot weather:
- Dress baby in cool clothes
- White clothing or light clothing reflects the sun
- Slather sunscreen on your kids and yourself!
- Manually check your baby for signs of sweating and feel their chest to see if they are too hot
- Don’t keep your baby in direct sun
- Try keep in the shade as much as possible
- On boiling hot days rather visit indoor places with aircon
- Breastfeed or bottle feed your baby more in hot weather
- Offer children more water to keep them hydrated
- Never leave your child alone in a hot car
- Don’t cover up your pram with a blanket, towel, wrap or jumper
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