How To Keep Baby Cool In Stroller (11 Effective Ways)

Summer is a wonderful time for outings, but it can also be a little uncomfortable for your child. This is not only uncomfortable for your infant, but it can also cause heat stroke due to overheating inside the stroller.

The parts of the stroller become incredibly hot, and the heat is amplified throughout the stroller, causing the infant to be overheated. When you are out with your baby, it’s a real challenge how to keep baby cool in stroller. 

But don’t be concerned! Here are a few things you can do to keep your kid cool and hydrated while riding in the stroller.

What Signs Indicate that Your Baby is Overheated in the Stroller?

Overheating is a terrible sign for a baby’s health. It is prone to serious health problems such as heatstroke. Babies can’t tell us their illnesses like us, so you have to understand the symptoms of overheating. 

Here are some signs that indicate that your baby is overheated in the stroller: 

• The face becomes flushed and reddened
• Fewer wet diapers. 
• Dry, red, pale, clammy, and hot skin
• Lethargy behaviour
• Dark-coloured urine
• Excess body temperature
• More irritable 
• Fast breathing
• Refuse to take fluids
• Vomiting at serious condition
• Dizziness
• Restless

If you notice such signs within your baby, take him/her to a cool place as soon as possible and offer fluids. Seek medical attention immediately if the symptoms persist.

More Resources: How To Keep Baby Warm In Stroller? – 14 Effective Tips

How to Keep Baby Cool in Stroller: Tips for Keeping Your Baby Cool and Comfy in the Stroller

1. Choosing the right stroller

Pick a stroller that is well-ventilated and comfortable. While shopping for baby strollers, consider the breathable fabric. Keep in mind that a stroller with a UPF of 50+ will aid in absorbing, reflecting, and deflecting UV light. UPF 50+ protection safeguards your infant from skin cancer by limiting penetration.

Use large stroller canopies or rain cover to provide shade from the hot summer day. Mesh panels allow the air to flow throughout the stroller, keeping your child cool. For you and your child, a lighter version is preferred. 

Choose more sophisticated bassinets to wiggle around that are more pleasant for the infant. Pick a light color that will reflect more sunlight. Don’t compromise your baby’s comfort in choosing a dark-colored stroller. 

2. Dressing baby appropriately

Dress your baby in lightweight, breathable clothing that allows you to keep them cool. Avoid tight and heavy clothing, which makes them sweaty and uncomfortable. Nonetheless, you must exercise caution when over-dressing and undressing them. 

Choose cotton fabrics that absorb sweat from the body easily. Have you ever heard the name Bamboo fabric? It is well known for its ultimate soft and breathable features. Cotton and bamboo fabric are the best summer-oriented dress for your little one. 

Dress appropriately so that your little one is not overheated. As babies’ bodies are not developed to regulate the temperature as adults, so dressing them in suitable clothing is the best approach to keeping the baby cool in the stroller. 

Avoid dark-colored dresses during summer, which retain more heat. Place a wide-brim hat on the baby’s hat, but make sure the straps aren’t interfering with the air circulation. Remember to wear sunglasses to protect the baby’s eyes.

3. Use accessories to keep baby cool

Stroller fan 

To provide a mild breeze in steamy weather inside the stroller, you can attach a small stroller fan to the stroller. This stroller fan is battery-powered and comes with a clip to attach to the stroller. 

You can select from a variety of stroller fan designs that will spark your child’s imagination. It also keeps them active. The most interesting part is when my baby is in the stroller for an extended period. 

Sometimes she starts to cry, and at that time, this fan distracts her instantly. Make certain the fan is securely fastened. It shouldn’t be the source of any risk to your baby. You can use this fan during day and night both. 

Canopy

A large stroller canopy blocks out the sun’s rays and protects from harsh UV rays. Make sure that the canopy is extended and has breathable UPF 50+ fabric. Some canopy or stroller umbrella has mesh windows that ensure wonderful air circulation while strolling. 

Don’t use a stroller cover in hot weather with no wind, it hampers the air circulation. If you have an adjustable sunshade in the stroller, then there’s no need for a canopy extender. But if the stroller canopy can’t offer a good sunshade, then try to invest in a good canopy extender. 

Note: Don’t use any blanket or towel over the canopy to trap the heat, it poses suffocation inside the stroller, regardless of how thin the blanket is. It leads to overheating.  

Stroller seat liner

Invest in a stroller seat liner that is breathable and moisture-wicking. A seat liner provides a comfortable ride avoiding overheating during summer strolling. Gel padded stroller liner is amazing for absorbing sweat and keeping the baby cool. 

If your stroller or infant car seats are not equipped with a gel-padded stroller liner, then you don’t need to worry. You can simply refrigerate it and then put it in the stroller before the outing. It lasts the cooling impression. Be sure before purchasing that the stroller seat liner is machine washable and enough breathable. 

4. Remove the Back Panel

Another tip to keep your baby cool in the stroller is to remove the back panel. It is a fantastic way to increase the airflow movement of the stroller. You can find some strollers which feature a detachable back panel or mesh layer. 

The removable back panel of a stroller allows optimum ventilation inside the stroller with breathable fabrics. When the temperature is highly unbearable, it’s a great idea to detach the back panel. It saves your child from overheating in summer weather. 

Note: Removing the back panel may interfere with your baby’s safety. Check that your baby is securely fastened and has good support.  

5. Cooling the Seat Pad

Bring out cooler packs from your freezer and place them under the seat pad. You can use a frozen blanket or towel to keep the baby cool. Usually, I do it on a balmy hot day. Sometimes, ice blocks are not available in the freezer. 

At that time, I put a blanket in the freezer for a while. And, do you know that this option is comfier? You can try it out. Honestly speaking, you would love this. Place the blanket on the baby’s legs, forehead, back, or hands. It gives your baby a relaxing padding around the stroller seat, decreasing the body temperature on hot summer days.

6. Place Cold Water Bottle

Wanna know a creative DIY or natural air conditioning on How to keep your baby cool in a stroller during the summer months? Try this most useful way to keep the baby cool! It works as cooling power for both you and your infant.

First of all, fill 1 or 2 water bottles with water ½ way or ⅔ way. Close the cap tightly so that your child can’t unscrew them. It poses a choking hazard to your little one. Keep them in the freezer for hours, and then they are ready to provide a cooling effect. 

Wrap the cool water bottles with wet towels or a blanket. Place the bottles aside for your baby like a sandwich. It gives the stroller a refreshing environment, keeping the little one cool and comfy. If you don’t have enough budget to spend on cooling stroller accessories, then you should definitely try this. 

7. Offering Fluids to Keep Baby Hydrated

It is essential to keep the baby hydrated during hot weather. An infant’s body is easily dehydrated. 

Here are some tips to understand that your baby is dehydrated-

• How many wet diapers have been changed since then? Usually, more than six wet diapers indicate dehydration symptoms.
• Stinky and dark-colored urine.
• Dry or sticky mouth. You can check this easily by pressing their tongues.  
• Babies tend to be tired and sleepy.
• No tears while crying is also a sign of dehydration.

How to Keep Baby Hydrated during hot summer?

Your baby will not ask you for more fluids always. So you should keep ready the source enough fluids to offer them, which will help them to sweat the heat properly. There are some effective ways to keep your baby hydrated. These are-

• For newborns, breastfeeding is essential to hold hydration. Increase the number of breastfeeding.  Breast milk keeps them hydrated.
• Offer more formula to formula-fed babies.
• For Babies who are more than six months old, bring water, juice, or juicy fruits for them. You can use a sippy cup or small water bottle with a straw to take the fluids. 
• Take frequent breaks in sun shade during very hot days so that your baby can stretch their legs and rehydrate them. 

8. Stay in Shade

When you are out with your baby during the hottest part of the day, try to stay in the shade as much as possible. Even if you use a sunshade, you should avoid direct sunlight because they are suffocating for the newborn. It also gives them a burning sensation. 

Don’t stroll with your baby at the sun’s peak hours or hottest hours. If you have to go out with your baby in harmful sun rays, then try to stay under a tree, pavilion, or building. These shady areas ensure adequate airflow movement inside the stroller by dissipating the heat. 

Baby stays cool this way. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t stay in one place for an extended period. It poses the risk of heatstroke. 

Note: Don’t use sunscreen with baby’s skin under 6 months old. Use chemical-free sunscreen for your six-month-old baby just 30 minutes earlier of your outing.  

Image credit: American Academy of Pediatrics 

9. Keep the Stroller Moving

I told it once that don’t stay in one place for an extended period. I want to say again that, of course, you shouldn’t stay in one place for a longer time. It makes the baby uncomfortable, and there’s no chance of dissipating the extreme heat inside the stroller. 

So, keep the stroller moving; it creates a gentle cooling breeze inside the stroller, keeping the kid comfortable and refreshed. Your baby won’t get bored if the stroller is moving. If you find a pond or water source on your way, then take a short break to enjoy the fresh air from that place. 

10. Avoid Crowded places

I know that it is not always possible to stroll in airy spaces. Your outing is most likely not in a single location. However, try to avoid crowded places. Crowded places become more hot and stuffy during warm weather. And it is uncomfortable for your baby. Avoid crowded places as much as you can. 

11. Monitoring the temperatures

Even if you’ve tried everything to keep your infant cool, he or she may become overheated. This is due to the high temperature above 90° F. Don’t take your baby out at this temperature and then pause the schedule of your strolling from 10 AM to 2 AM. 

If you must go out in this heat, keep a close eye on the baby’s temperature. The baby may become overheated or experience heatstroke as a result of the extremely hot surroundings. If you notice any symptoms of overheating, take immediate steps to keep them cool.

Strolling Mistakes to Avoid with Baby in Hot Weather

You must secure your baby’s comfort during summer strolling. Summer rides are not always enjoyable when the temperature is scorching. Some parents make some mistakes in summer strolling. 

On the street, I saw one mother pushing a stroller with a blanket covering it. It’s the worst mistake you can ever make. Heatstroke can occur in your newborn as a result of overheating. 

Here, I’ll try to explain why some strolling ideas aren’t suitable for your infant.

• Don’t go out in the hottest part of the day. You should avoid the sun’s peak time as the baby’s body can’t regulate its temperature.
• Don’t dress them with one more layer; it irritates people when the sun’s rays are searing. 
• Another common mistake is covering the stroller with a blanket to shield it from the sun’s rays. Smooth airflow in the stroller is difficult in this setup. SIDS, baby sleep death, and Heat Stroke are common health problems due to overheating. 
• Not offering them fluids frequently in hot summer. It makes them dehydrated and lethargic.
• Staying in one scorching place for a prolonged period causes the stroller materials to become extremely hot, creating a warm ambiance within the stroller.
• Not monitoring the infant frequently to ensure that they are cool and comfortable.
• Long stroller rides should be avoided. 
• Applying sunscreen to a baby less than six months old. 
• Not strolling in shaded areas that lead to the baby overheating. 

Final Thoughts

Make every effort to keep the infant cool inside on summer strolls. You can use the mentioned ways to keep your kid cool and comfortable inside the stroller during summer strolling. If your baby still has overheated symptoms after applying the cooling approach, seek immediate medical attention. Don’t jeopardize your baby’s safety and comfort.

More Resources:

6 Beach Hacks to Keep Your Baby Cool and Refresh at the Beach

How To Safely Use a Stroller

Can You Use a Jogging Stroller On The Beach

What To Do With Old Strollers