A cold weather warning has been issued to parents using prams this winter (Image: Getty)
Temperatures are expected to continue to plunge in the first couple of weeks of January, with a yellow weather warning for snow still in place across large parts of the UK.
These low temperatures can cause problems for parents, with icy pathways and dark evenings making it particularly difficult for those with young children in prams.
Kirsty Carroll, a parenting expert at , has shared five essential tips for keeping little ones safe, warm, and comfortable in their pushchairs during winter walks.
Among her advice, Kirsty has highlighted one dangerous mistake that parents make during the cold spell: covering the pram with a blanket.
While parents may think this will help keep their child warm, it can actually restrict airflow, make your baby uncomfortable, and even put them at risk of overheating.
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Expert tips to prepare your pushchair for winter
Keeping your baby warm
Kirsty said: “Layer up on clothes, as this traps the heat to keep your little one warm. A good rule of thumb is to give your baby one extra layer of clothing than what you’re wearing.
“A snug base layer, insulated mid-layer, and weatherproof outer layer are ideal to shield them from the cold. Babies lose the most heat through the top of their heads, so don’t forget a hat!”
She further stressed that you should not cover the pram’s opening with a blanket, she added: “If tucking your baby in with a blanket, only ever go up to their chest, leaving their face exposed.
“A great alternative to a blanket is a foot muff, these are designed to fit into your pram or pushchair and sometimes have a harness for extra safety.”
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Cold weather can make using a pram somewhat difficult (Image: Getty)
Protection against the elements
A rain cover is a must when heading out in the winter, as this will keep your child dry, comfortable, and out of any cold wind.
Keeping your baby dry and warm is incredibly important in winter, as wet or damp clothes won’t dry out as quickly and can put your baby at risk of hypothermia.
Reflective Accessories
If your route involves navigating poorly lit roads or traffic, then the darker evenings of winter can pose safety problems for parents with pushchairs and prams.
To ensure the safety of yourself and your child, Kirsty said: “Stick to main roads and avoid routes without streetlights.
“You can also add reflective tape or reflective patches to your pushchair to increase its visibility in low light. Also, don’t forget to make yourself visible.
“Although they may not be the most fashion-conscious items, a reflective vest or sash could help protect you and your child.”
Reliable brakes
You must be able to brake your pushchair when needed. Kirsty recommends opting for a pram with practical, easy-to-operate brakes, adding that you should look for a model where both wheels lock, reducing the risk of slipping on wet or icy surfaces.
She further warns that you should ensure the brakes can’t be reached by any children.
Keep wheels clean and clear
Wet weather can lead to to muddy wheels, which can make pushchairs rather hard to manoeuvre.
She said: “Wheels are thankfully very easy to clean, you can use a hose or pressure washer to remove any wet mud, or a stiff brush with warm water and washing up liquid to scrape off dry mud.”
Alongside mud, rock salt, spread on roads and pavements to prevent ice during the winter, can also cause corrosion damage to strollers.
For this, Kirsty recommends cleaning wheels regularly and applying a silicon-based spray, which will keep them turning smoothly.