Last weekend our baby was quite fussy after we came back from a road trip. That got me wondering whether she had stayed in the car seat longer than she should have. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We love traveling and with all those daily trips to the daycare, she has to stay in the car seat a lot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I decided to dig in deep and find out what the experts say. Read on along to learn about how long a baby can really stay in the car seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Lullabuy trust<\/a>, an infant baby should not stay in a car seat longer than two hours within a 24-hour time period. This is called the 2-hour rule<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember that the two hour rule does not imply you stop every two hours as some might mistake it for that. It means the total time a baby spends in a car seat should not exceed two hours within 24 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also the two hours refer to all the time baby stays in the car seat including being carried to and away from the car in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is, however, no set-in-stone rule but what is advised by many experts. Let’s see why these infant healthcare specialists swear by this rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Car seats can be stiff and sweaty, so the more often you pull over, the better. Also and more importantly, research has produced evidence that links longer stays in the car seat to SIDS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is also believed that little spines can hurt from staying in a semi-upright position for long periods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I probed some more about why the experts recommend we follow the 2-hour rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The study reveals that very young babies are prone to breathing difficulties when seated in a semi-upright position for long stretches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This can occur due to restrictions in the airflow due to the scrunched-up position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the study, if newborns sat in the car seat longer than 30 minutes, their breathing and heart rates were impacted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Parents and carers should immediately spring to action if they find the baby\u2019s head is slumped forward because it can restrict airflow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Babies’ heads are malleable during the first two months and they can turn flat from behind with excessive car seat use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Government guidelines in the US suggest that children should travel in a car seat until they turn 12 years of age or grow 135cm in height, whichever comes first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But there is no definite rule as to at what age of the baby you can start getting lenient with the two-hour rule. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The good practice would be to wait until the baby can sit without assistance, occurring around six months of age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, you can always ask your pediatrician about it and see if you can observe clemency with the 2-hour rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is recommended that you should stick to a 30 minutes drive up until your baby is at least six weeks old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alex Borgnis, head of car insurance at Churchill<\/a>, said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n ‘In the first four-to-six weeks after birth parents should try to avoid car journeys of more than 30 minutes for their baby, and whenever possible an adult should travel with the baby in the back seat of the car to keep a check on their position and well-being.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n However, for preterm and newborns, the risks associated with the prolonged stay in a car seat are even more vivid and the repercussions greater. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So it is advised that neonatal and newborn babies should not stay in a car seat longer than thirty minutes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is suggested that you stall long road trips if you can until your baby is at least six weeks old. However, if you have to go on one, get the infant seat that allows for babies to lie down flat, if of course your car permits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If not, then get a rear facing car seat and take breaks frequently between hours to let the wee ones straighten out on flat surfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can follow these tips for a relatively smooth journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no such thing as \u2018too much planning\u2019 when it comes to planning trips with kids. Prepare a bag of all baby essentials. Food, bottles, diapers, bibs, napkins, blankets, toys, and change of clothes. Then double-check. Plan the timings, the rest spots, and everything else in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Get a car seat that adheres to safety standards that are in place in your area. Buy one that is ideal for your baby\u2019s weight and age. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy the two-hour rule?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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At what age does the 2-hour car seat rule end?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When can the baby be in a car seat longer than 30 minutes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How do you take a baby on a long road trip?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Plan Ahead:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Car seat safety: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n