When it comes to transporting a newborn baby in a car, many new parents have questions about how long their little one can safely stay in their car seat. Newborns have specific needs when it comes to car travel due to their fragile bodies and developing immune systems.
Quick Answer
The general rule of thumb is that newborns should not stay in a car seat for more than 30 minutes to an hour at a time. Frequent breaks are recommended every 30 minutes so the baby can be taken out of the car seat, stretched, fed, or diaper changed as needed. Extended periods of immobility in a car seat can increase the risk of breathing issues, oxygen desaturation, and positional plagiocephaly.
Newborn Anatomy and Car Seats
To understand why car seat time should be limited for newborns, it helps to look at the anatomical differences between babies and older children or adults:
- Newborns have proportionally larger heads and weaker neck muscles. In a car seat, their heads may slump forward and restrict their airways.
- Their airways are smaller and more prone to blockages or collapsing.
- Their oxygen levels can dip lower than adults’ before their bodies compensate.
Car seat safety guides indicate that babies should ride rear-facing as long as possible, until at least age 2. However, sitting semi-upright in a rear-facing seat can cause a newborn’s chin to rest against their chest, blocking their airway. Flat car bed attachments are an alternative but still require monitoring time limits.
Health Risks
Leaving a newborn in a car seat for too long has been associated with an increased risk of:
- Positional plagiocephaly and brachycephaly: Flattened areas on the head caused by pressure on one spot.
- Respiratory distress or failure: Breathing issues caused by constricted airways.
- Airway obstruction: Blocked breathing due to chin-to-chest positioning.
- Oxygen desaturation: Decreased blood oxygen levels.
- Carbon dioxide retention: Buildup of CO2 in the blood.
- Decreased blood pressure and cerebral oxygen delivery: Reduced blood flow to the brain.
- Hypothermia: Becoming too cold from lack of movement and unregulated newborn body temperature.
- Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar levels from going too long without feeding.
General Car Seat Time Limit Guidelines
Most experts agree that newborns should only remain in car seats for 30-60 minutes at a time. The American Academy of Pediatrics specifically recommends:
- Healthy term newborns: Limit car trips to 30-60 minutes per trip and take breaks to take baby out of the seat.
- Preterm newborns: Consult with the baby’s pediatrician for individual time limit guidance based on age and health status.
- Newborns with breathing issues: Avoid car seat use and consider alternative flat transportation methods or medical transport with car bed and monitoring.
Additionally, it’s recommended that newborn car seat time be limited to less than 2 hours total in a 24 hour period. Frequent breaks, stretching, and monitoring of vitals is essential.
Long Distance Travel with a Newborn
For long car trips or road trips that will require more than 2 total hours in the carseat per day, parents have a few options to ensure their newborn’s safety and comfort:
- Stop every 30-60 minutes to take baby out of the seat for feeding, changing, and moving around before resuming the trip.
- Consider an infant car bed attachment that allows baby to lie flat.
- Pack a heart rate and oxygen monitor to use during the drive.
- Plan to split the trip over multiple days with overnight stops to minimize seat time.
- If possible, postpone trips requiring more than 2 hours driving time per day until baby is older.
- Have one parent sit in the backseat to monitor baby closely for any signs of distress.
Tips for Newborn Comfort and Safety
Parents can help reduce the risks of extended car seat time for newborns by:
- Never leaving baby alone in the car seat outside of the car.
- Checking on baby frequently by looking in mirrors or pulling over if needed.
- Installing the car seat at the proper 45 degree recline angle.
- Securing the harness straps snugly to support head and neck.
- Placing rolled up blankets or towels on both sides of the head for stability.
- Choosing a rear-facing seat with built in head support.
- Driving smoothly without sudden stops or swerves.
- Keeping the car’s temperature comfortable and stable.
- Having pacifiers, toys, and music handy to soothe baby during the drive.
- Never letting baby sleep in the car seat outside of the car.
When to Call the Doctor
Parents should seek medical advice immediately if their newborn exhibits any of the following symptoms during or after car seat use:
- Change in skin color – paleness, blue-tinged, or gray skin
- Trouble breathing – fast, noisy, or difficulty breathing
- Sweating or cool to the touch
- Decrease in activity or alertness – excessive sleepiness or lethargy
- Choking or gagging sounds
- Seizures or tremors
- Falling oxygen saturation levels measured by a monitor
- Visible marks on skin from car seat straps
These signs may indicate that baby is not tolerating time in the car seat well and needs medical assessment. Pulmonary or airway disorders may make car seat use riskier for some newborns.
Newborn Car Seat Recommendations
When selecting an infant car seat, look for the following recommended features:
- Rear-facing only
- At least 40 inches rear-facing height limit
- Built-in head support
- Adjustable harness and recline angles
- Compatibility with strollers for easy transport
- Comfort features like cushy padding, ventilation, sunshade
- Locking clip to prevent loose straps
- Easy installation and instructions
- Meet all current safety standards
While most standard rear-facing seats are safe when used properly, some car bed options are:
- BabyTrend Car Bed
- Cosco Dream Ride SE Infant Car Bed
- Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX Infant Car Bed
- Chicco Fit2 LE Infant & Toddler Car Bed
Conclusion
Limiting newborn time in car seats is crucial for reducing the risks of breathing problems, airway blockages, oxygen decreases, and positional plagiocephaly. The general guidelines are 30-60 minutes max at once and 2 hours total in 24 hours with frequent breaks. For long distance travel, extra preparations and precautions must be taken. Being attentive to baby’s needs and car seat recommendations will help ensure a safe, comfortable ride.
| Age Group | Recommended Max Car Seat Time |
|---|---|
| Healthy newborn | 30-60 minutes per trip |
| Preemie newborn | Consult doctor |
| Newborn with breathing issues | Avoid car seat |
| All newborns | 2 hours total in 24 hours |