SnoozeShade Original steel grey trim: sun and sleep shade for carrycots, prams and bassinets

Why parents love SnoozeShade Original

SnoozeShade Original is where it all began. It's our sun and sleep shade for newborns and young babies lying flat - in a carrycot, pram or bassinet - and it's the product that started everything 16 years ago.

It shields delicate newborn skin from harmful UV rays and offers consistent all-over shade that parasols and hoods simply can't achieve. In a pram, a baby's skin is incredibly sensitive, and UV rays reflect off concrete, sand, water, grass and even snow, so full coverage really matters.

Unlike parasols, which provide patchy shade that constantly needs adjusting, SnoozeShade stays in place and protects from all angles. And unlike blankets, which are considered unsafe to drape over a pram, SnoozeShade is made from our exclusive EziBreez® mesh, which is air-permeable, baby-safe and specially designed for the job.

As a bonus, it also makes naptime on the go far easier - creating a calm, darkened space that helps newborns settle and sleep, wherever you are.

This is the steel grey SnoozeShade Original - a smart, neutral finish that goes with any pram. It's also available in green and pink.

What it does

SnoozeShade Original makes life easier when your baby is lying flat in a carrycot, pram or bassinet - whether they're napping or having quiet awake time.

• Shade mode: Use it as a sun canopy over part of the pram to block harmful UV while air still moves freely. The double-layer EziBreez® mesh blocks 99% of UV, shielding delicate skin and eyes from the sun.
• Full sleep mode: Bring the shade all the way down to create a calm, darkened space that blocks 94% of light and 99% of UV - helping your little one settle and sleep wherever you are. In this fully covering mode it also works as a built-in insect and mosquito net.

It rolls up neatly and tucks away when not in use, so you're never left juggling loose fabric.

Whether you're travelling, heading to the shops, or just walking to the park, SnoozeShade Original helps your newborn stay protected and rested - without slowing you down.

What it's ideal for

SnoozeShade Original is designed for babies lying flat - it's about the sleeping position, not a precise age.

It's the right choice when your little one is in:

• A pram or carrycot
• A bassinet or Moses-style lie-flat sleep space on a frame
• The lie-flat carrycot part of a travel system

Once your baby is sitting up in the stroller seat rather than lying flat, the Plus Extra or Plus Deluxe is the better match for that setup.

It's ideal for:

• Everyday walks
• Nursery and school runs with an older sibling
• Family outings and holidays
• Daytime naps on the go

In fact, Cara (the inventor of SnoozeShade) created the Original for her own newborn daughter, and went on to use the range right through to naps on holiday when her daughter was five.

Why shade matters

The World Health Organization advises that shade be sought once the UV index reaches 3 or above - and in the UK, that often means most of the day from spring through September.

In fact, UV levels in the UK typically stay at or above 3 from April through September, especially between 11 am and 3 pm, when levels can reach 6 or 7 on bright days. But it's not just during those hours - in many cases, UV stays high from 9 am until early evening. Checking your smartphone's weather app will reveal the current index for your area.

That means a pram walk at 9 am or 5 pm in spring or summer can expose a baby to harmful UV - even if it feels cool or cloudy. That's because UV rays can pass through clouds, and also reflect off surfaces like concrete, snow, water, or sand, increasing the risk even in shaded areas.

☂️ Simple shade objects like parasols or pram canopies rarely offer full coverage - and they don't reliably protect from reflected UV. Blankets draped over prams are not only ineffective, but also unsafe.

That's why SnoozeShade Original, made with our EziBreez® mesh, blocks 99% of UV consistently across every angle - top, sides and front - helping keep your baby safe under the sun wherever your day takes you.

How we measure sun protection

We've recently updated the way we measure sun protection, on the advice of experts in the field.

Like most baby sun products, we've always quoted the UPF rating, and it's a genuine, independently tested result for our fabric. But times have changed and a new standard has developed.

UPF is a clothing standard, written for fabric worn against the skin. There is now a standard written specifically for shade fabrics: the Australian standard AS 4174, which gives a UVE rating, short for Ultraviolet Effectiveness. That standard is what we have chosen to embrace moving forward, and every SnoozeShade is tested to it by ARPANSA, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, at their government laboratory.

🏅 SnoozeShade Original is rated Most Effective, the highest sun protection category there is. Most Effective starts at 95%, and the Original blocks 99% of UV.

Why SnoozeShade Original was invented

This is the product that started it all. When my own daughter was a newborn, I couldn't find a safe way to shade her pram and help her sleep when we were out. Parasols never covered her properly, and I knew a blanket over the pram wasn't safe - it traps heat and blocks airflow.

🌞 So I set out to make something better: a shade that blocks the sun from every angle, creates a calm space for sleep, and is made from a mesh that air can actually pass through. That became SnoozeShade Original.

👶 It was designed for the most vulnerable little ones - newborns lying flat - which is why every part of it is tested to the same standards as a newborn toy.

🦟 Used in full sleep mode, where it fully covers the opening, it also doubles as an insect and mosquito net, so there's no need to pack a separate one for summer travel.

🌬️ And it's not just for summer. It can be used all year round to shield against wind, light rain, chilly air, and even snow, making it a cosy, cocoon-like space for naps in any season.

Everything we've made since - the Plus range, the Twin, the cot range - grew from this first idea: help babies sleep safely and comfortably, wherever they are.

How it helps babies sleep

Newborns sleep a lot - but bright light, busy surroundings and constant stimulation can make settling on the go a real challenge.

That's where SnoozeShade Original comes in.

🌓 Brought fully down into sleep mode, it creates a calm, shaded cocoon that blurs distractions and helps your baby wind down.

🧠 The soft darkness supports your baby's natural sleepy hormone, melatonin, making it easier to drop off and stay asleep.

🛬 It's especially loved on holidays, days out, or during travel, because it helps a baby sleep in unfamiliar, bright or noisy places.

💤 Many parents describe it as a "lifesaver" because it becomes part of their baby's nap routine - a consistent cue that it's time to sleep, even when you're on the move.

The result? Longer naps, a calmer baby, and a much more relaxed parent.

Why daytime naps matter

Good daytime sleep matters enormously for babies. It supports brain development, growth, and mood - and a well-rested baby tends to sleep better at night too.

😴 Overtired babies are harder to settle, feed less well, and wake more often. Protecting naps protects everyone's sleep.

🌞 But getting a baby to nap on the go isn't always easy. Bright light and busy surroundings can keep them stimulated even when they're clearly tired.

That's why SnoozeShade Original is such a help.

• It blocks out distractions without cutting your baby off from fresh air.
• It reduces light and visual stimulation, which helps the brain shift into "rest mode."
• And because it creates a familiar, consistent sleep environment, your baby knows what to expect, even in new places.

Even if your baby only naps on the move occasionally, those naps are golden. SnoozeShade helps you protect them.

Safety built in

We know safety comes first, especially with a newborn.

That's why every SnoozeShade is designed by a mum (and UK safety ambassador) to meet the highest safety standards in the world. In fact, SnoozeShade is the only range of pram and sleep shades approved by INPAA (Infant & Nursery Products Alliance of Australia), Australia's leading safety authority for nursery products.

• ✔️ Made from our exclusive EziBreez® air-permeable mesh, which blocks 99% of UV and is safe enough for a newborn to breathe against.
• ✔️ Double-layered mesh is essential for UV protection. Some cheaper alternatives use only one layer, which may look similar but cannot block the same amount of harmful UV rays. If it's half the price, it's usually half the protection.
• ✔️ No long straps, toggles, magnets or buttons - nothing that could pose a choking, strangulation or entrapment risk. We only use short, safely positioned hook-and-loop straps, and you don't need to use them all, just the ones that suit your pram.
• ✔️ No toxic dyes or chemicals. Every part of SnoozeShade is tested to the same standards as a newborn toy, including checks for heavy metals, flammability and more.
• ✔️ Trusted by over half a million families and recommended by sleep consultants, safety experts and health professionals around the world.

SnoozeShade was invented because safety mattered. And that will never change.

Easy to use, easy to trust

We believe clever products should make your life easier, not more complicated. That's why every detail of SnoozeShade Original is designed with tired parents and tiny babies in mind.

• ✔️ Universal fit - It works with any pram, carrycot or bassinet that has a hood. It fits in seconds.
• ✔️ Flexible hook-and-loop straps - You don't need to use them all. We include extra straps because short straps are safer than long ones. Just use the ones that work for your pram.
• ✔️ Shade or full sleep, your way - Use it as a sun canopy while your baby is awake, or bring it down fully for a darkened sleep space.
• ✔️ Compact and lightweight - Folds down small so it's easy to store in your changing bag or pram basket.
• ✔️ Machine washable - Easy to keep clean. Just pop it in the washing machine at 30 degrees. You can hang it to dry or tumble dry on a low heat.
• ✔️ Use over a rain cover - SnoozeShade can be used over the top of your rain cover. It dries quickly, so even rainy-day naps are no problem.
• ✔️ Multi-use - From daily errands to holiday naps, from light rain to light snow, SnoozeShade isn't just for sunny days. It's one product you'll use all year round.

Parents call it a lifesaver for a reason. It works - simply and brilliantly.

Confused by online advice?

If you've been scrolling forums or parenting groups, you'll know how confusing it can be.

Some people say never cover your pram - but that's a misunderstanding. The actual advice is: don't cover your pram with anything that restricts airflow.

SnoozeShade is made from air-permeable mesh and has been tested for airflow, light, and UV protection. It's specifically designed to keep your baby safe and comfortable.

Others insist a parasol is best - but as any parent knows, the moment you change direction or the sun moves, your baby ends up in full sun again. Parasols are patchy and awkward. So what else is there?

💡 SnoozeShade Original was created by a safety-obsessed mum who considered every worst-case scenario when designing the product. From the mesh to the straps, every element was carefully chosen to give parents peace of mind.

It's made from our proprietary EziBreez® air-permeable mesh, which has been rigorously tested in world-class labs to meet international safety standards. It's also the only range of sun and sleep shades approved by INPAA (Infant & Nursery Products Alliance of Australia), a benchmark for product safety in the nursery industry.

And while other products may cut corners, SnoozeShade never uses long straps, magnets, toggles or buttons - all of which can pose potential safety risks.

☀️ It's one of the safest ways to protect your baby from the sun, full stop.

What about airflow and hot weather?

This is one of the most common questions we're asked - and it's a really important one.

SnoozeShade is made from our unique EziBreez® air-permeable mesh, which means it allows air to flow freely in and out of the pram. It's better than breathable - because it's actually been tested to rigorous air-permeability standards, and shown to allow healthy airflow even when fully closed.

Unlike other covers that trap heat or block ventilation, SnoozeShade doesn't create a "greenhouse effect." There's no sealed air chamber - just a constant flow of air, supported by natural convection.

🌬️ Here's how it works:
When convection is allowed to play out as it should, warm air rises and is replaced by cooler air which naturally moves in from below. That's why we recommend adjusting your pram hood - which is typically made from thick fabric that doesn't allow air to move through it - especially if it's very long or deep. Pushing it back slightly (not all the way) makes it easier for hot air to rise and escape through the SnoozeShade mesh.

This simple adjustment helps SnoozeShade do what it's designed to do - allow air to circulate freely and move warm air away from your baby.

Some viral scare stories online warn against covering a pram, but SnoozeShade isn't the type of cover they're warning about. In fact:

• • Our mesh blocks 99% of harmful UV rays while still allowing excellent ventilation.
• • Parents in hot climates like Australia, the UAE, and Southern Europe have used SnoozeShade safely since 2010.
• • We've even run 24-hour in-pram heat stress tests using data loggers, and the results showed no temperature build-up inside the pram.

And for an extra boost on especially hot days, pairing SnoozeShade with a pram fan is a great way to keep things breezy and comfortable on the go.

👉 (Scroll down to see our pram fan recommendations.)

☀️ Top tip for warm weather

For extra comfort in hot weather, pair your SnoozeShade with a portable pram fan. It keeps air moving and helps your baby stay comfortable in warm weather.

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FAQs

Will it fit my pram or carrycot?

Yes. It's universally sized to fit prams, carrycots and bassinets with a hood, including the lie-flat carrycot part of travel systems.

How much sun protection does it give?

SnoozeShade Original is rated Most Effective, the highest sun protection category there is under the Australian shade fabric standard AS 4174. It's tested by ARPANSA, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency. Most Effective starts at 95%, and the Original blocks 99% of UV.

Is it for sun, or for sleep?

Both. Use it as a sun canopy to block UV while your baby is awake, or bring it fully down for a darkened sleep space. The double-layer mesh blocks 99% of UV either way.

Does it work as a mosquito net?

Yes, when used in full sleep mode, where it fully covers the opening, the fine EziBreez® mesh acts as a built-in insect and mosquito net. Used as a partial sun canopy there's an open gap, so for full insect protection bring it all the way down.

My baby is sitting up now - is this still the right one?

Once your little one is sitting up in the stroller seat rather than lying flat, the Plus Extra or Plus Deluxe is the better fit for that setup. The Original is designed for lying-flat babies.

Do I need to leave it on all the time?

Not at all. It folds down small to pop in your changing bag or pram basket.