It seems to be one of life’s mysteries – how do you protect your little one from the sun when you are taking a stroll with the pram? Sounds easy enough but have you found the perfect solution? In the past I have tried tucking a muslin square around the hood but it usually was quickly blown off by the wind or skilfully plucked down into the arms of an over-eager baby. Besides which, they can’t see through a muslin square which can make going for a walk pretty dull.
I’ve seen other mothers struggling with those flexible parasols that clip onto the pram but they need constant adjustment every time you turn a corner and they never seem to stay in the same position you bend them into.
Then I spotted that Koo-di has brought out a shade that attaches onto the pram or stroller, providing all-over cover from the sun. It sounded too good to be true so I got in contact and asked if I could give it a try.
The Sun & Sleep Shade – or the Koo-di Pack It – launched in the summer of 2009 and has been proving popular ever since. It scooped gold in the Practical Parenting 2009/2010 Awards. It is extremely compact, folding away into a neat lightweight pouch that can be flung in the buggy basket or changing bag and doesn’t take up too much room.
I found the shade easy to attach using Velcro loops that go over the handles and around the legs and was delighted to find it covered all the way down the sides too, crating was if effectively a giant cocoon. It looked so cosy, I was tempted to climb in there for an afternoon nap. And because it is thin, my son was able to see out when not asleep and, even better, I was able to see in without having to undo any straps.
We found it useful not only as a way to keep the sun off but also to provide a barrier from the noise outside once he had dropped off to sleep when we were out for a walk. I even put it on when going around the supermarket and he slept through the whole visit.
It is a universal shade so it can be strapped onto most prams and pushchairs and it promises to protect against 93% of harmful rays which sounds good enough to me. I am sure it will prove indispensable when we go for our holiday to France next month and, you never know, it might come in useful for that Indian summer we keep being promised over here.
For more information about the Koo-di Pack It Sun & Sleep Shade, visit www.koo-di.co.uk