Pint-sized passengers seem to be pros at falling asleep in the car. But those on-the-become naps — while relaxing for you! — aren't your babe's safest route to Snoozetown.

While a few minutes of R&R on the road isn't a big bargain, you shouldn't permit your sweet pea sleep in the car for long stretches or use her seat as a dedicated sleep device.

Is it ever safe for a baby to slumber in a car seat?

The safest identify for your baby to slumber is on a firm, apartment surface — such every bit her crib, bassinet, portable crib or playard. Your baby should e'er be put to sleep on her back (never her tummy) without anything else in the crib or bassinet — no blankets, pillows, stuffed animals or bumpers, recommends the American University of Pediatrics (AAP).

These practices are the best way to reduce the chances for sudden baby death syndrome, or SIDS.

Products that identify your baby in an inclined position like swings, bouncers, seats or even strollers aren't condom spaces for your infant to slumber, specially for long stretches. Sleeping while sitting upright (or semi-upright) can cause a infant to slump down, and end upward in a chin-to-chest position, potentially causing suffocation.

If your babe falls comatose in the car on the way home from the grocery store or park, there's no demand to panic. As long every bit the trip is short and you or another rider has an eye on your niggling dreamer, you tin can caput on to your destination without waking her.

That said, y'all should movement her to her crib or bassinet equally soon as you can, recommends the AAP. (Easier said than washed, we know!) While she's dozing on the drive, go along a close eye to brand sure she doesn't slump into a chin-to-breast position and that her nose or mouth don't get covered.

Continue Reading Beneath

Even though the peace and quiet of an unexpected automobile nap might exist tempting, don't let your infant snooze in her car seat for longer than necessary. And never put your babe in her auto seat for the purpose of going to sleep.

Equally for long car rides? There aren't any proficient guidelines for how long is too long for your infant to slumber in her seat. Simply if you plan to be on the road for a longer trip, it's a skillful thought to pull over every two hours so your baby tin stretch her legs. Ideally, y'all should plan to practice longer trips with another adult whenever possible so one person tin can supervise the baby while the other focuses on the road.

How to make sure your child is prophylactic in their car seat

Keeping the snoozing to a minimum isn't the simply thing you can practice to ensure your baby'due south ride is equally safe every bit possible. Some more than tips to go along in mind:

  • Make sure your seat is installed correctly.Follow the manufacturer instructions to make sure the seat is installed tightly, either with the LATCH organisation or a locked seat belt. A Certified Rider Safety Technician (CPST) tin can help you lot install the seat correctly — or just human activity as a second pair of eyes to see that everything is secure.
  • Put the car seat in the back and keep it rear-facing as long every bit possible.Your kid's car seat should ever be installed in the back seat of the car, never in the front end. And she should stay in the rear-facing position for as long as possible — until she reaches the maximum height or weight equally listed by the car seat manufacturer, according to the AAP.
  • Make sure the seat meets all safety requirements.All seats on the market place today are required to meet basic condom standards. So if you're ownership new, but make sure to check key information similar the car seat'southward expiration date (located on the seat itself) and to hold on to the manufacturer instructions. If your motorcar seat was previously used (even by an older sibling), look for the expiration date to confirm it's still safe to utilise, check whether it'south been recalled (you can find recalls listed at nhtsa.gov) and examine the seat thoroughly for any cracks or missing parts. If you don't know the history of a used seat, don't apply it. Car seats that have been involved in a crash should not be reused.
  • Take breaks on long trips. On long trips, pull over every two hours so your baby can stretch her legs, feed and have a diaper change.
  • Don't offer nutrient or drinks.Both can pose choking hazards. Save the snacks and sips for when you get domicile or serve them on a stretch suspension during longer trips.
  • Don't use the car seat outside of the car.Car seats shouldn't be used as a space for naps or sleep, or as a seat or carrier when you're not on the road. Resist the urge to put your baby'due south car seat in the shopping cart when at the store too, since information technology can potentially cause the cart to tip over. Put your baby in a sling, carrier or stroller instead, the AAP recommends.
  • Avoid using aftermarket motorcar seat accessories.Headrests, back up inserts, shoulder pads, harness covers, seat chugalug adjusters and other accessories sold separately from your car seat by a tertiary-political party manufacturer haven't been tested for condom — and in fact, they could brand your child's seat less safety. Keep them out of the car, recommends the AAP. If your infant seems to slouch in her seat, yous may be able to put a tightly rolled receiving blanket on either side of her or place a tightly rolled diaper or cloth between your child and the crotch strap, the AAP says. But always check the manufacturer instructions to ostend get-go that it'due south safety to do so for your specific seat.
  • Don't put your infant in bulky clothes.Stick with light, thin layers and drape a blanket or coat over your child'due south buckled harness straps if she needs more warmth. Beefy coats, snowsuits or heavy layers can shrink in a crash, causing the seat straps to become loose and putting your child at gamble for injury.