The Dangerous Summer Stroller Mistake Most Parents Make

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Most of us know very well not to leave our little ones in summery-hot cars, even if it is just for a while. We can happily protect ourselves with a sunscreen or a sun lotion. But, even the sunscreens are a strict no-no for babies younger than six months.

As the scorching summer hits the town, every parent looks for options to keep their babies protected from the harmful glares of the sun. With almost negligible choices in hand, moms and dads come up with hacks to keep their little ones protected.

Using a fully-shaded stroller or covering your babies with a muslin cloth or blanket, might seem like a great idea. However, at times, parents end up worsening the situation for their little ones unknowingly. Not many know, but there are a few risks involved even while protecting your babies in those harmless summer strollers.

In This Article

Stroller Hacks That Might Be A Mistake

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With all good intentions in heart, parents cover their child’s pram with a blanket to protect their little ones from the sun. But, do you know that covering a stroll with even a tiny piece of clothing can result in a furnace-like situation. According to the Swedish researchers, this well-intended gesture can result in the temperature within a stroller to shoot to dangerous levels (1).

If a stroller is kept out in the heat, the temperature is approximately 22 degrees Celsius without a cover. However, if a thin cover is used, the temperature can shoot up to 34 degrees Celsius in a half hour, and 37 degrees Celsius in an hour.

The temperature within a stroller can be compared to that of a thermos. The air circulation inside the stroller is not that great either. The lack of airflow inside this confined space is what results in the temperature to soar. As it happens with the hot car we all are scared to leave our baby in, the temperature can even skyrocket in a covered and confined space like a stroller.

Little Ones: More Vulnerable To Heat

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Babies and small kids are more prone to be affected by heat as compared to the older kids and adults. Our little ones comparatively sweat less because of which their body is not able to regulate the temperature effectively. Thus, babies and small kids are more at risk to suffer from dehydration, heat-related illness, and heat strokes. The heat can also make your infant’s preexisting medical conditions worse.

To top the stress, the infants are also unable to communicate with their parents as to how hot they must be feeling. You can look out for symptoms like extreme tiredness, faintness, and intense thirst to identify this heat-related illness. Your infant can also show other signs like hurried breathing, vomiting, and restlessness.

How To Avoid Heat Strokes In Infants

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Make sure that you dress your baby in light-weight clothing while stepping out. If the clothes are loose, even better. Try to keep your baby in the shade and cool places as much as possible when outside. Also, ensure that your baby stays cool during car journeys in a hot weather.

On a hot day, keep your infant hydrated at all times. Give them more fluids. Try not to take your baby out on a very hot day. If it is really hot and there is no air-conditioner at home, seek comfort in one of the air-conditioned public places like cafeterias or libraries. Even for strollers, you can switch from a blanket to a mesh, large canopy or a perforated sun shield specially designed for the same. You can also feel your infant’s skin to make sure that they stay cool.

Nobody could have thought that something as simple as covering your baby with a cloth can be so harmful. Now that you know this, you can keep this tip in handy the next time you step out with your little one in summers.

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