We all have to do long journeys from time to time, even when we have young children in car child seats. Adults can usually manage three or four hours before they need to stop and get out to stretch, get a coffee, maybe use the facilities. But what about little ones? How long can a baby be in a car seat in one go?
In this guide we’re going to break down the latest advice to help you keep your children safe and healthy when you’ve got a long car journey to do.
How long should a baby be in a car seat in one go?
Perhaps surprisingly, there haven’t been any published studies that make a definitive judgement on how long a baby can be in a child seat. However, experts from the healthcare, safety and automotive fields say that two hours is the longest you should go before having a break and getting the baby out of their seat. Any older children may want a break by then, as well. But, if you think your baby needs to get out of the car more frequently, you should follow your instincts.
How long can a newborn in a car seat?
Again, there are no official guidelines on this, but most experts advise that babies under four weeks old should only in a child seat for a maximum of 30 minutes.
How long should a break be?
Once again, there’s no formal official advice on this, but you should give the baby as long as they need to stretch out and move around a bit. The 15 minutes or so it’ll take for everyone else in the car to do what they need/want to and get back will probably be long enough. But use your own judgement. Give the baby as long as you think they need before putting them back in the car.
What position should a baby be in while in a car seat?
Very young babies aren’t strong enough to hold themselves upright and even the harness in a child seat won’t help them do so. Their head could drop, restricting their airway – a situation that could have serious consequences. They could also suffer serious injuries in a crash.
For medical safety and crash protection, babies need to be positioned as flat as possible. Pretty much all child seats designed for babies offer a semi-reclined seating position, though some can be wound back to lie the baby flat. The seat remains just as safe in a crash and you can angle it back up as the baby gets older.
But even with an appropriate seat, you still need to be vigilant. An adult or responsible older child should always be sat with the baby if possible; if you’re on your own in the car, use a mirror that allows you to see the baby. If they slump in the seat or their head drops, you should stop immediately to reposition them.
Also note that babies are legally required to be seated facing the rear of the vehicle until they’re 15 months old because they are much less likely to suffer injury in a crash. However, many experts suggest keeping the child facing backwards until they’re three years old or more, because their spine and skull are still quite fragile. Beyond that, use your own judgement about when it’s time for your child to face forwards.
Can a baby sleep in a car?
It’s inevitable that a baby will sleep in a car at some point. Indeed, many parents find the low noise and soft vibrations a car produces are rather soothing to their little ones. Healthcare experts often advise that a child seat isn’t a safe place for a baby to have their regular sleep. That’s because they ideally need to be flat on their back to avoid their airway becoming restricted.
The best way of keeping your baby safe while they sleep in a car is to use a child seat that reclines back to lay them flat. They should still be fine in a regular seat, at least for relatively short periods, but do be vigilant. Take extra breaks to get the baby out of the seat if you think it’s necessary, as well. When you reach your destination, get the baby our of the car and lie them flat as soon as possible.
Anything else I should know?
It can get quite hot in a car, especially if there’s lots of passengers and the heating’s on. As a result, babies can overheat quite quickly. Set the car’s climate control to a temperature that will be comfortable for the baby and check their temperature frequently throughout a journey.
If they get too hot, remove whatever layers of outer clothing you think appropriate. You should always take the baby’s coat off, anyway, because they prevent the child seat harnesses tightening fully.
