To think everyone needs to know that covering the front of a buggy in this heat is unsafe?

[readingmakesmehappy]

I've seen so many buggies and prams out this week with muslins and cloths clipped to the front. Why doesn't everyone know this is unsafe?
It's slightly better if it's a wet muslin, but only slightly.
NHS, for those who want citations: https://www.nhs.uk/baby/first-aid-and-safety/safety/safety-in-the-sun/
And Which? https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1D6id4EG4u/

Why doesn't everyone know it's unsafe? I think because it's not something that's really pushed as an issue. In that NHS link, for example, it's mentioned once in amongst loads of other information and they only mention 'blankets' so people probably think a lighter cloth like a muslin is ok.

The Which link is much better, but I've only seen that because you've shown me, it wasn't within my algorithm even though I get almost exclusively baby content.

So, in conclusion, people don't know because they haven't been told. But, I agree that they should be told!

Really?! Do people really need to be told this?? I’d be worried about the children of people who need information like this printed on an nhs website.

Yeah, I think they do. I think they're trying to keep the sun off the baby in attempt to keep them cool, they're trying to do the right thing and maybe not realising that it's doing the opposite. Remember not everyone has the same education as you and there is no IQ test before becoming a parent!

If this shocks you, I would strongly recommend you don't ever watch the news! The terrible parenting that goes on will blow your mind!

If you need to be out with a young baby in these temps it's not necessarily easy.

In certain directions sun shines in the bassinet regardless of having the (large) hood up. Below 6 months, babies can't use suncream, so keeping them out of the sun is important. You have to balance the sun risk with the heat risk.

I mocked up a crappy solution that could extend the reach of the hood with a muslin cloth, but still had large gaps at the sides to maintain airflow, but not easy when you're out and about.

I think the scorn from pp on this thread isn't helpful. Very few people are using wool blankets over the pram, it's things like muslins that seem very thin, so people don't consider them holding heat in the same way

I live on the coast, I was driving along the seafront late morning, it was 29 degrees at this point and someone had their car seat attached to the pram so baby must have been under 1 I’m guessing, the mother in a boob tube and shorts sweating and the car seat was covered with a blanket. She was walking along the promenade and I was on the main road so she wouldn’t have heard me if I said anything but I wish I could have. Infuriates me.

They sell pram parasols, they work as I used one with my daughter. They also sell specific pram covers that are uv protected and well ventilated. Using a blanket or muslin is stupid

I’ve seen it in loads of “how to keep your family cool” type pieces over the last week, as well as that Which clip. Weird given my kids aren’t babies now so the algorithm mainly serves me “get rid of your middle age spread” content 😂

I wince whenever I see this, incredibly risky. It’s likely a combination of little general awareness around this and uneducated/low IQ parents.

I think because it is so commonly done that that lots of people see others do it and just assume it's fine. Plus the advice to close windows and curtains in hot weather to keep the sun off is becoming more widely known and using a muslin over a pram could, on the face of it, seem to be the same thing.

I'm very much not stupid (you'll have to take my word for this) and I only know because I've seen it discussed on this site.

Are you sure they’re not using a snooze shade? Some woman tried to “advise” me when I was using one and I -told her to fuck off pointed out they’re specifically designed for that purpose.

I think there’s a balance though, a light muslin with air gaps around the sides might push the temperature up a degree or two but is that worse than allowing a baby to be exposed to strong sun?
Mine was born during a heatwave like this and it was 36/37/38+ every day and sometimes we did just need to leave the house for appointments, food, whatever it may be and there was no choice but to walk in the extreme temps with a 2 week old.

It’s a weird thing. So many people seem to like cooking their children like this. What even made them think it was a good idea in the first place? Are they just seeing other people cooking theirs and copying them? I’m assuming they are thinking it shades the baby but doesn’t it enter their brain that it also stops airflow and makes it even hotter inside?

@TheRealWhackerare SnoozeShades really safe? If a Muslin is dangerous then I wouldn’t trust something made of black fabric

It’s mesh so allows complete air flow

I had a SnoozeShade thing with DS when he was little. It was a fine black mesh, providing shade, but also with holes designed to let air flow through.

Yes they’re specifically made for that purpose 🙄. It doesn’t get hot inside, I’ve stuck my hand in enough times to know.

Is this an anti-muslin thread? (apols 😃)

Unless OP has hallucinated the instances she’s mentioned in the OP… they obviously do? Why the surprise?

Snooze shades or similar are not safe either. Though they are not as dangerous as other coverings. If using one it should be attached to the hood and the handlebars so it provides shade with airflow.

I think more people get adverts for baby products that reliable information on pregnancy and baby care. Those with marketing budgets get their posts seen on social media.

Sone of the big parenting charities try to get the message out but they can’t compete with the snoozeshade marketing.

No hallucinations necessary, just a walk through my local park this morning

My DC are 30 and 26 and when they were babies we used a clip on parasol or canopy to shade them. You could move them around as needed.

Always had a clip on parasol for both of mine. One is 24 now. Why don't people know this anymore?

Because most people don’t need to look up something so basic in order to not harm their child.

Er, that’s literally how a snooze shade works? It attaches to the handle and hood of the bassinet, it’s how it’s designed?

That’s not how many parents use them. They cover the whole pram with it like a blanket. Tbf to them that’s how it’s shown in the adverts as well.