Car Seat Safety: Premature Babies and Babies With Medical Conditions

Car seat testing is usually done in the hospital within one week before your baby is ready to go home. You will be asked to bring in your baby’s car seat, which he will sit in for 90 to 120 minutes or the length of the car ride home, whichever is longer. During the test, the nurse will monitor your baby’s heart rate, breathing and oxygen level.

If your baby passes the car seat test, he will be able to use the car seat you have provided. If not, the hospital may repeat the same car seat test.

If your doctor tells you that your baby needs a car bed, it is likely because of concerns with your baby’s breathing and heart rate when he’s semi-reclined in a traditional child safety seat. The doctor may also order a home monitor to check your baby’s heart rate and breathing.

Medical staff may require your infant to ride in a car bed rather than a traditional child safety seat. Car beds allow babies to lie down while traveling. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that medical staff monitor infants with the following indicators before their first car trip:

• Infants less than 37 weeks gestational age at birth
• Infants of any age who may not tolerate sitting in a semi-reclined position, such as a rear-facing car seat
• Infants at risk for apnea, bradycardia, oxygen desaturation or obstructive apnea (e.g. Pierre Robin Sequence)

Your pediatrician may repeat the car seat test to find out if your baby is medically stable enough to use a car seat.

Please follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your baby's car bed and these guidelines:

• The car bed should be placed in the rear seat so that your baby’s head is in the center of the vehicle, away from the door.
• Use the vehicle’s seat belt to attach the car bed to the vehicle and be sure that the belt is tight.
• Place your baby on his back, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. If your baby’s pediatrician recommended placing your baby on his abdomen while riding in the car, she should tell you when this is no longer medically necessary.
• If your baby needs a breathing monitor or other equipment, learn how to secure it properly to prevent it from moving if a crash should occur.
• While your baby is riding in a car bed, someone other than the driver should watch him.
• Limit car rides, especially long trips, until your baby is medically stable enough to switch to a car seat. If the car ride will be longer than three hours, allow for rest stops every two to three hours so your baby can be out of the car bed for feeding and care.
• Avoid using baby seats, baby swings, bouncy chairs, backpack slings and infant carriers until your baby is re-tested or your pediatrician says that it is safe for him to be in a semi-reclined position.

If you still have concerns about installing and using the car bed properly, you can visit a car seat fitting station nationally or in the greater Philadelphia area. Please visit Car Seat Checks to learn more.

If your pediatrician determines that it is safe for your baby to be in a semi-reclined position, follow these tips to safely position your baby in a traditional safety seat:

A properly positioned baby in a rear-facing child safety seat with a blanket roll on each side and at the crotch strap

• Make sure you check the weight requirements on the car seat and that your baby weighs enough to use the seat.
• Infant-only car seats with three- or five-point harness systems or convertible car seats with five-point harness systems provide the best comfort and positioning for your baby.
• Do not use a car seat with a shield or arm rest. It may cause breathing problems or an injury to your baby’s face and/or neck during a sudden stop or crash.
• Only use head supports that come with the car seat. Do not use any head supports that are purchased separately. Most very small babies may need additional positioning assistance; you can put a blanket roll on each side of your baby to provide support for her head and body.
• When choosing your car seat, select one with the shortest distance from the crotch strap to the seat back, or one that has an adjustable crotch strap; this will prevent your baby from moving forward under the harness.

• If your baby goes home on a monitor, make sure to have enough battery power for at least twice the length of your car ride.
• Wedge any portable medical equipment on the floor of the car or under the seat. This reduces the risk of it flying loose in a crash or sudden stop.