I believe I read on here awhile ago that leaving an infant to sleep in their car seat can compromise their air flow...or am I remembering wrong? At any rate, I have a friend who suggested to another friend to have her baby sleep in a car seat while she's sick and that's the first thing I thought of but I couldn't remember why.
I know it's sort of a random question. Thanks! 
cantaloupe / 6017 posts
Yes, the position they are in can restrict air flow, particularly when the car seat is set on the floor (as opposed to installed at the correct angle in a car). The tech who checked our seat at the hospital warned us about this and told us a story of a baby turning blue in the seat! I think it's not an issue once they are older, but I wouldn't use a car seat for sleeping....only exception is if my LO falls a sleep in her bucket seat, I sometimes carry it in and let her continue her nap. But that's for like, an hour, tops.
coconut / 8498 posts
It can compromise air flow. On the other hand, a good friend was advised by her child's doctor to let her sleep in it overnight for a while. The child was a preemie, had severe reflux which led to breathing issues, and the car seat was the only device that could keep her upright enough but keep her from slumping down too much.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
Yes, the problem is that the neck isn't strong enough and the air way can become compressed.
pomegranate / 3393 posts
I think the smaller the baby, the more concern. If their necks flop down, that can partially block their airway, which is a concern if they're too young to pull their neck back up.
pomelo / 5678 posts
Yes. Also bad for spine development. Babies should only be in carseats in the moving vehicle and for limited periods of time.
cantaloupe / 6059 posts
Okay, that all makes sense. Thanks. This baby is only a few weeks old so the advice really concerned me.
I'm going to try and find some info to send my friend! I just don't think the risk is worth it, even if it's small!
cantaloupe / 6059 posts
@Silva: @Weagle: @MoonMoon: @Greentea: Ugh. I just have to share the advice giver's response to my suggestion (very nicely put, I might add) that car seat sleeping may not be the way to go:
"i recline the seat back stuffing blankets under it so they don't slump down. (Baby) slept in his reclining high chair for the first three months. if he wasn't reclining he'd choke on his spit. better reclining in a chair than aspirating spit all night!"
Aaaaah! So of course, make me look stupid ("better to be reclined than to aspirate!") instead of just admitting that perhaps, just maybe, your advice wasn't so stellar.
I don't know why that irritated me but it just did.
pomelo / 5607 posts
@coopsmama: Yeah, if they did all that to make it safer, maybe they should have mentioned that when they advised it?
coconut / 8498 posts
It would be better for her to just slip a towel or some books under one end of the crib to elevate it. Especially since it seems she's not big enough to roll around. And I'm pretty sure babies have reflexes to help them avoid choking and aspirating on spit. Like coughing and turning their heads.
cantaloupe / 6059 posts
@Torchwood: Just maybe! She's a mom to 4 and I think she didn't like a mom of 1 giving a dissenting opinion.
@Weagle: Agreed. I also suggested a Rock n Play, though I know those also come with various opinions.
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
I know the Chicco car seats have a red line saying it should be parallel to the car/ground. Maybe if she can comply with that, she'll be okay?
DS had RSV when he was 4 months old and the pedi nurse advised us to let him sleep in his car seat or somewhere elevated. All the drainage was causing him to cough heavily when laying down which induced vomit. 
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 0 | 0 |
| Posts | 1 | 0 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
11 comments