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As parents we’ve probably all experienced how the rhythm and movement of the car seems to make it so easy for infants and toddlers to fall asleep in their car seat. Some of us may have even purposely gone for a drive to get our exhausted, crying baby to finally sleep.
So is it safe to let your baby sleep in the car seat?
Yes and no.
Falling asleep is not necessarily an issue all the time. Meaning we don’t have to continuously nudge our sleepy child to stay awake while driving. As long as your car seat is being used correctly and is at the right incline angle, it is OK to let your baby sleep for short stretches in a car seat.
On there other hand, we shouldn’t use the car seat as a dedicated sleep space or for long stretches. Car seats are not designed for sleep. They are designed for safety and protecting a baby’s head and spine in a crash. Sleeping at an incline can be risky. (This is why Congress passed the Safe Sleep for Babies Act in 2022, which banned infant reclined sleepers.)
What to do if your child does sleep in the car seat?
While it’s OK to allow your child to fall asleep in the car seat, you want to transfer her to a crib as soon as you can.
Ya, easier said than done. We had to time it just right for our kids. At the about 15 minute mark, we could transfer them and they would go back to sleep, any shorter or longer than that and we were doomed with an awake but exhausted child.
If you leave the infant car seat on the ground it may not be resting at an appropriate angle, the risk of respiratory issues and other problems increase.
The safest way for babies to sleep is on their backs on a firm, flat mattress in a crib with no bumpers or blankets or other soft objects.
The Two-Hour Rule
Manufacturers design and test infant car seats not only to protect your baby in a collision but also to ensure that if your baby does fall asleep in the seat, the risks of slumping down, chin to chest and blocking airflow, are low. But it’s still a good idea to limit how long they are in car seat.
Two hours—that’s how long a child should stay in a car seat. While this recommendation is mostly for infants, experts agree that this is a good general guideline for all children. More so, it is not just for car seats but for other child travel systems, especially when the child isn’t in a lie-flat position.
Why two hours?
There’s the risk of restricted airflow, especially for newborns who do not yet have neck control.. The car seat position can result in slumping forward. With this, the chin will rest on the chest. It can obstruct airways and make it difficult to breathe. This can lead to positional asphyxia, which lowers the blood’s oxygen saturation within minutes. While it’s rare, this is a deadly condition.
Ideally, there is another adult in the car who can keep an eye on the sleeping infant even for those short naps.
Being in the car seat for long periods also can result in spinal strain. The delicate, developing spine of infants is still forming and sitting at an incline for long periods can put stress on it.
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Finally, discomfort can be an issue. Not only can being in the same position for a long time become uncomfortable but imagine if your child is also sitting in a wet diaper.
More than being uneasy for the child, spending a long time in a car seat can make one grumpy and fussy. Your child can become irritable after a while, making your trip stressful.
What if you have to travel more than two hours?
Plan stops and take your child out of the car seat after two hours and rest before resuming your trip. This will prevent the child from being in the same scrunched position for a prolonged period. Do this even if it means waking up your baby sleeping in a car seat. This way, the driver can also rest while ensuring the kid’s safety.
When can my child stay in the car seat longer
It is always important to make frequent stops and give your baby and whole family a chance to stretch their legs and get out of the car seat every now and then. But as your baby gets bigger and more developed neck muscles to control their head and can sit up, you may be able to travel longer stretches before needing a break.
Specifically for preemies
Neonatal units will test preterm babies in a car seat before discharge and allowing a baby to travel in a car seat.
Because newborns’ bodies are still delicate, it’s crucial to be mindful when putting them in a car seat. This is when the concept of the Infant Car Seat Challenge becomes critical.
During the test, the baby will be placed in a car seat. Vitals will be monitored, including heart rate, oxygen level, and breathing patterns. It can take 90 to 120 minutes. This challenge will identify the risk of different health challenges, including the potential to suffer from breathing problems.
When the baby passes the test, you can travel with him or her in a car seat. However, diligent monitoring may still be necessary, especially if your baby sleeps in the car seat.
Download our report: Common Car Seat Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Car seats save lives
Car seats reduce injury by 71% for those younger than one year old and up to 54% for those who are one to four years old, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals. So let’s also remember these tips for keeping our babies safe in the car:
- Make sure your car seat is installed correctly.
- Keep your car seat rear facing for as long as your child fits rear facing.
- Harness your child snugly (and don’t use bulky clothes or winter coats).
- Don’t give your child food or drinks.
- Keep your child in the proper restraint until they correctly fit the seat belt.
- Keep your child in the back seat until age 13.
In the end, car seats are for safe travel, not for prolonged sleep. Using an car seat in the car for your infant is essential. And short naps while riding in the car in a car seat is OK. But a baby shouldn’t be left unattended in a car seat while sleeping. Nor should a car seat be your baby’s primary sleeping place.
By Tania Nichols and Amie Durocher, Creative Director at Safe Ride 4 Kids and certified CPS Tech since 2004
Copyright 2024 Safe Ride 4 Kids. All rights reserved. You may not publish, broadcast, rewrite or redistribute this material without permission. You are welcome to link to Safe Ride 4
