When you are a parent of a newborn child, you want to make sure that your child is safe. That is why when it comes to infant car seats, there are many questions that parents have.
A common question asked by parents is: how long can a baby sit in an infant’s car seat? Whether you are pregnant and read this question now, or your baby is already out and about and you need to know how long he or she can ride in a car seat, this article will cover the basics.
It is recommended that babies should sit in infant car seats for 2 hours maximum within 24 hours. After this time, they may become uncomfortable or too hot.
Sitting in an infant car seat for too long can cause pressure sores on their soft bones, which could lead to fractures. Some parents choose to use their child’s car seat for longer periods than 2 hours because they feel their child is comfortable and safe in it.
The problem with this is that if your child isn’t getting enough movement while they’re sitting in their seat, it might affect their posture.
What Is the 2-Hour Rule?
The two-hour rule is a guideline that you should never leave your baby alone in a car seat for more than two hours. It’s important to remember that this is not a safety standard and it is not intended to replace the manufacturer’s instructions.
The two-hour rule is also not intended to be used as proof that a particular car seat is safe or not safe.
Pediatricians and safety experts developed the 2-Hour Rule for Infants in Car Seats to ensure that your child’s body temperature does not become too high while he is traveling in a vehicle.
It is recommended that you get out of your vehicle every two hours when driving long distances with your infant or toddler so that they can move around and get fresh air.
What Happens When a Baby Sits in an Infant Car Seat for Too Long?
The following are what can happen if a baby sits in an infant car seat for too long:
1. Poor Circulation
When a baby sits in an infant car seat for too long, blood circulation can become sluggish. This can cause several issues, including poor blood flow to the brain and heart. If left alone, this can be fatal. Babies sit in an infant car seat for safety reasons, but the position can affect their circulation over time.
Sitting with legs extended reduces blood flow to the lower extremities and can cause swelling and pain. The safest way to prevent this from happening is by keeping your child’s legs flexed at all times during travel.
2. Digestive Issues
Another thing that happens when babies sit in an infant car seat for too long is digestive issues. Prolonged sitting can lead to constipation because it slows down bowel movements and causes obstructions in the bowels. Also, when babies are lying down for long periods, they don’t get the stimulation they need to help them digest food properly. Bacteria in the gut can become overactive when this happens, causing diarrhea or other digestive issues.
3. Back Pain in Babies
The most common problem is back pain in babies. This is because they cannot move their body around to relieve the pressure on their backs and hips. The result is that they suffer from constant back pain and discomfort. Posture is also affected, which can lead to deformations of the spine and hips over time.
4. Deformations of the Spine and Hips
This is another problem that can affect children who sit in an infant car seat for too long. The spine gets deformed over time because it does not get enough movement during childhood, which causes problems later on in life like scoliosis or lordosis (curvature of the spine). Hips also get deformed due to lack of movement from sitting down all day long without any exercise or movement except walking around with assistance from others (sometimes even crawling).
5. Flat Head Syndrome
Infant seats are designed to keep your baby safe as you travel in your car. However, these seats aren’t designed for long-term use. When used for too long, these seats can cause serious damage to your baby’s head and spine. This condition is known as a flat head syndrome. This happens when they don’t spend enough time lying down on their back or side while sleeping at night or during naps during the day.
Can Babies Sleep in the Car?
Yes, babies can sleep in the car. But only for a short time. I know that many moms and dads find themselves stuck in traffic or at the grocery store or at home, anywhere where they can’t put their baby down for a nap.
And I’m sure that many of those parents have wondered if it’s OK to let their infant fall asleep in the car seat.
It is, but only for a short time. The best thing to do is to pull over when your child starts to fall asleep, even if it means going five minutes out of your way so that you don’t have to wake him up when you get where you are going.
If your baby does fall asleep in his car seat, take him out as soon as you get where you need to be so he doesn’t get too used to sleeping in there and associate it with bedtime.
Tips for Using Infant Car Seats
The following tips can help you use infant car seats properly:
- Use the tether strap that is provided with your infant car seat. It will help hold your infant in place during a crash.
- Make sure you always use the harness slots that are at or below your baby’s shoulders when you install an infant-only seat in your car. If the harness slots are above your baby’s shoulders, he or she could be injured in a crash.
- Always buckle your baby into his or her seat before buckling yourself into yours.
- Never leave an infant unattended in an infant carrier, even for a short time.
Bottom Line
There are different opinions on this issue, and none of them is definitively correct. It is not always easy to tell if the child can sit in his car seat with no hazards for too long. The important thing is that you follow the recommendations of your child’s physician.
Hi, This is Emma Baster; As a mom, I spend my free time caring for my kids. I’ve read a lot on the Internet to improve my childcare skill and bring the best to my kids. Eruditemommy shares my knowledge and experience through helpful posts. I hope you enjoy them!