It's a common scene; parents bring baby home from the hospital or spend a family day out on the town, and the little one falls asleep in their car seat. Rather than risk waking up a sleeping baby, many will opt to remove the infant carrier from the car and let them sleep in it rather than transferring them to a crib or bassinette. After all, why would anyone willingly wake up a sleeping baby?
But, is that sliver of time to yourself while baby naps worth it? Experts say no. Read on to more about this and other car seat rules to help ensure the safety and well-being of your baby.
What is the 2-hour rule for car seats?
Car seat rules: How to put baby your baby in a car seat
Before leaving the hospital, your newborn may undergo a car seat tolerance screening at which time nursing staff may demonstrate how to put your child in a car seat, but here are some general guidelines:
- Be sure the harness straps are in the lowest slots so the fit is snug
- Baby's bottom should be flush with the back of the seat
- Harness straps go over baby's shoulders, then fasten the chest clip
- Insert the metal buckles into their corresponding clips
- Give harness tail (at the base between baby's legs) a firm tug
- Ensure a finger-width space between baby and harness with straps at armpit level
- Slide the chest clip to approximately armpit level for optimal safety
Additional best practices when it comes to car seat safety include keeping your baby rear-facing until they reach the height and weight limits of a convertible seat. They can then be placed forward-facing until they outgrow those height or weight limits. Of course, all car seats and boosters should remain in the backseat until the child is 13 years old.
When temperatures cool down, there are additional care seat safety rules caregivers need to heed. Alicia Stephenson is a mom of two and Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) in South Carolina. Along with her business partner, she provides car safety seat assistance to caregivers in her local community. Stephenson reminds parents that bulky coats should never be worn by children in car seats.
"With cold weather comes heavy jackets which can be dangerous when used in a car seat. The extra padding in jackets quickly compresses during crash forces. This leaves extra slack in the harness which can allow the child to be ejected," Stephenson explained in her Lowcountry Car Seat Safety Facebook group."A general rule of thumb is that if [the coat] is thicker than fleece, it should be removed."
Parents and other caregivers with questions about car seat safety are encouraged to find a local CPST. Technicians are available to ensure car seats are installed correctly, or provide resources for families in need.
