The 2 Hour Baby Car Seat Rule You Are Missing

Car seats are for traveling and cribs are for sleeping, as of the most recent study on how it’s safe to keep your infant in a car seat.

According to recent research, the 2 Hour Rule is unknown to 58 percent of parents. There appears to be a crucial lack of information available to parents, given the serious health effects of not adhering to the 2 Hour Rule.

Between 2004 and 2008, 31 infants under the age of two died from asphyxia or strangulation while sitting in a car seat for long periods of time. This is according to a 2015 research published in the International of Pediatrics.

Table of Contents

What Is The 2-Hour Rule?

A baby should never be in a car seat for more than 2 hours in a 24-hour period, according to many top custom baby car seat manufacturers.

This is due to the fact that leaving a newborn in a semi-upright position for an extended period of time might cause:

1. A strain on the baby’s still-developing spine.

2. Airflow to the baby’s lungs is restricted.

If a newborn falls asleep with its head slumped forward, the chances of this happening increase.

The Lullaby Trust recommends that babies sleep on their backs since it is the safest position for them.

For the first six months, kids should sleep in a separate crib or Moses basket on a firm, smooth, waterproof mattress. Because your baby’s capacity to hold its head up is not fully matured, its head may fall down, obstructing the airways.

Keep Your Baby Safe

Make sure your baby does not sit in the very same upright position for longer than a few hours.
Don’t utilize a car seat as a substitute for a cot or crib – as a regular sleeping location (though don’t be alarmed if your baby falls to rest in your car, as most newborns do!). You wouldn’t want them to sleep in the very same position for even more than two hours.
If you’re driving a long distance, take a break and remove your child from the car seat.
When you’re using a car seat, don’t leave your child in it for more than two hours. Use a carrycot or a lie-flat seat instead of a car seat if you know your kid will be in the transport system for an extended period of time.

Tips For Preventing Car Seat Cot Death

An infant should sleep on his or her back in a cot or crib in the very same room as a parent or caregiver.
Only use car seats to transfer babies in vehicles.
To keep your kid safe, ensure the car seat you purchase is age-appropriate and properly adjusted.
If at all possible, a responsible adult should accompany babies in car seats.
Babies struggle to regulate their body temperature and soon become overheated. Consider removing any headgear the infant is wearing in the car because they lose heat via their heads.
Keep an eye on your baby’s neckline and prevent them from squishing up and over.
You must never put your infant to sleep in a car seat in the house.
Make absolutely sure grandparents and caregivers understand how to install the car seat and see them doing so.
If you’re a solo driver traveling a long distance, employ services to keep an eye on your child.
Thick snowsuits should be avoided. Although it may be freezing outdoors, automobiles may quickly warm up. Natural textiles, instead of nylon, polyester, as well as other man-made fabrics, will aid the baby’s body to retain heat.

Ensure That All Caregivers Are Aware That Naps Should Never Be Taken In A Vehicle Seat

Parents should make sure that everyone who cares for the child, especially daycare workers and babysitters, recognizes that the car seat should not be used outside of the vehicle, according to safety experts.

The car seat isn’t supposed to be used for sleeping at home. Some household helpers often keep the child in the car seat to offer other home chores like assisting the hired bio media filter manufacturer for the home aquarium or attending any guests. In this case, if the straps aren’t snug enough, the youngster may slouch.

What Parents Should Do

The much more dangerous time for a baby to have been in a car seat is when they aren’t in a car, according to researchers from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Paediatric Society.

So, while leaving a sleepy baby in their car seat after a long drive to buy your favorite fingerprint safes, or at a restaurant may seem handy, it’s preferable to take them out straight afterward.

When using the car seat as designed in the automobile, the AAP suggests “stopping the drive and giving yourself and young child a break around every two hours.” Some car seat experts advise against taking unduly long road journeys with babies in less than one month.

Conclusion

Everyone can ride securely if they are aware of the risks and make careful to take pauses and remove the infant from the seat when the car stops. When used properly, car seats are a lifeline for which we should all be grateful.