9 Tips for The Summer to Keep Baby Cool in Stroller
What can you do to prevent your baby from getting overheated while in a stroller? Here you need to know about keeping baby Kool in the stroller.
If summer is just around the corner and you fear being on lockdown? It doesn’t have to be that way. A stroller can keep your baby cool while you get your vitamin D fixed.
By doing so, you can enjoy the warm, balmy days of spring and summer with your little one.
There are things you can do to keep your baby from overheating or getting sunburn.
How to Keep Baby Cool in a Stroller:
1. Get a canopy for shade and protection from the sun
The sun will be kept off your baby’s head most of the time if your stroller comes with a canopy. Your child’s sensitive skin won’t be adequately covered, however, unless it’s an extendable canopy. Heat won’t be blocked by it either.
A canopy not only provides shade but also blocks harmful UVA and UVB rays. Skin cancer may be caused by UVA and UVB rays, which contain radiation. UVA and UVB-blocking canopy products are ideal.
In particular, young babies need protection from the sun’s rays. Babies under 6 months of age shouldn’t wear sunscreen, according to pediatricians. If you want to take them out of their strollers, choose light, flowy clothing that covers their skin and a canopy that provides shade for the stroller.
Shade shouldn’t be provided by a blanket for your little one. There is not enough airflow through most strollers even if a blanket is thin. By trapping heat, it raises the temperature of your little one instead of cooling them off. Unlike stroller canopy covers, blankets do not have UV protection.
2. When it’s hot, don’t walk
If you want to get your baby out of the house before they take their midday nap, you may think about taking them for a walk. When the temperatures are at their highest during the summer, you shouldn’t walk your baby. During the day, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. are usually the hottest hours.
You may want to keep your child indoors on days that are 80 degrees or higher. A human body struggles to maintain a comfortable temperature once it reaches 80 degrees. For an infant, this would be even more challenging.
3. Make sure your baby is dressed for the weather
Your baby should be dressed similarly to how you are when going for a walk. It is just as dangerous for your baby to be over-bundled on a cold day as it is to be exposed to the sun.
Flowy fabrics in light colors should be chosen. Your baby’s stroller should cover any exposed skin areas if there are any. Your baby’s legs should not be exposed to the sun if they are hidden under a canopy, for example.
Whenever you dress your baby, avoid overdressing him or her. Winter can also be a dangerous time for your baby’s overheating.
As a result of caregivers bundling infants to keep them warm, the NIH notes that SIDS deaths increase in the winter. It is less likely for babies to wake up if their breathing stops when they are too warm.
4. Get a stroller fan for your stroller
Fans attached to strollers typically have clips or other fasteners that attach to the inside of the stroller. These blow cool air over your baby’s skin and are usually battery-powered. Cool airflow is beneficial for cooling your little one since they do not sweat effectively.
Baby-safe fans are essential since babies are constantly exploring their surroundings. Make sure it has smooth edges so your baby doesn’t get hurt if they grab it, and make sure the batteries aren’t accessible to them. We have chosen a few of the best baby stroller fans for you to check out here.
5. Features of a Cooling Stroller
Keeping your baby cool requires airflow to prevent overheating. Look for strollers with ventilation when shopping. The back panel is usually removable and can be opened. Air flows better through the stroller thanks to a mesh panel.
You should also consider the type and color of the fabric in your stroller when it comes to keeping your baby warm. The mesh fabric or cool flow fabric, for example, is more porous than other fabrics.
Your child won’t sweat from being pressed against these because they allow air to enter the fabric. It is also possible to make a difference by choosing a stroller that is lighter in color.
A black or dark color such as navy blue absorbs heat from the sun, whereas a lighter color such as gray or pink repels it.
6. Hydrate your baby
When your baby is dehydrated, they are more likely to overheat. Breastmilk or formula is recommended for babies under one when it’s hot outside. (Especially since water intoxication and malnutrition can occur in babies under 1).
During the walk, you should offer water frequently to babies and toddlers over one year old. It’s still a good idea to offer water to them even if they don’t seem thirsty.
It usually takes children until their bodies need water to become thirsty. In order to produce sweat and cool down, your baby needs fluids to stay hydrated.
7. Put a wipe on the baby
Sweating cools your skin because the air around you cools it down. By wiping your baby with a wet cloth, you can help them cool down.
As long as it isn’t too hot outside, the wetness from the rag will work like sweat on your baby’s skin. Keeping your baby clean is especially important on his or her head, neck, hands, and feet. They’ll be able to cool themselves naturally.
Be careful when wetting your baby or laying a cool rag on him or her. Ensure the rag does not touch their face.
8. Stroller seat liners that keep you cool
You can create airflow in your stroller by using a seat liner if it doesn’t have airy fabric. The liners of some strollers are made from fabrics that are breathable.
To prevent your baby from becoming too sweaty or developing heat rash, they may wick away moisture. Those with gel materials might draw heat away from the skin. At the beginning of your walk, you can refrigerate many of these to keep them cooler.
9. Under the seat, put a cooler pack or a water bottle
It can help keep your baby’s stroller cool on longer walks if you bring something cold. It is possible to place cooler packs under the seat cushion since they lie flat. Ideally, water bottles should be placed on either side of your baby. Your baby’s skin will not be directly touched by the bottles if you place them under a towel.
It’s important to make sure that your baby’s skin isn’t directly exposed to the cold. Even when it’s hot outside, ice can cause a freezer burn. Water bottles should also be watched closely by parents. When your baby gets the cap off the bottle, it could be a choking hazard.
What Are the Signs of Too Hot Kids?
If your child is overheating, here are some symptoms to look out for:
- Red flushes appear on the face
- It’s less frequent to change diapers
- The skin seems drier than usual
- Baby won’t drink liquids
- Sluggish and unpleasant
IMPORTANT: Seek medical attention immediately if your baby experiences these symptoms during a hot, sunny day.
Strolling with a baby at what temperature is best?
You should keep your baby indoors when the temperature is below 90°F or 32°C, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Whenever the temperature rises above 90 degrees, your baby’s health may be seriously compromised.
If the heat index exceeds 84°F and the humidity is 70%, your baby may be too hot. Before you go on an outdoor ride, check the temperature.
If your baby’s too warm, what should you do?
The first thing you need to do is remove your baby’s clothes. If your baby does not vomit, offer small amounts of fluid at intervals.
Keeping the body cool with cool or lukewarm water is the best way to keep it cool. Wear light, loose-fitting dress for your baby girl if the condition improves. In any case, if the condition persists, you should see a doctor right away.
There are some things you should do and don’t do
A blanket should not be used to shade a stroller. We’ve already mentioned this, but it’s important to remember. In addition to keeping the sun off, it also keeps the heat inside and causes the baby to overheat.
Avoid going outside during the midday sun. If you can, make your trips when the weather is cooler before or after work.
Find a shady spot if you stop to walk or when you stop to rest. Whether you’re in a park or in the city, look for an overhanging tree or a large building with shade.
