concerns about infants sleeping in carseats, etc.?

[Anonymous]

In recent years, Carseats have become more upright safer in a wreck, but NOT good for small babies to spend long in them. Many pedis are not aware of the change. It's not a myth; babies have died this way. Sure, it's fine to have a snap n go or whatever as long as baby is mainly held, not living in the carseat (emphasis on babies 4 mos or less). We got by fine with a convertible carseat and slings/carriers (& a reclining stroller, which we didn't use much the first few months-- we definitely preferred to carry him when tiny. Too much time in Carseats is a big factor in flat heads, too. Common sense is important.

[Anonymous]

I have never known anyone whose baby died from suffocation in a car seat, but I have heard about the studies. I think part of the concern came from the fact that people were leaving their babies in car seats for extended periods of time.

To be fair, it's also good to be aware of some of the concerns regarding slings (since people are talking about baby-wearing):

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11044.html

[Anonymous]

I don't want to minimize the horrible tragedy that some parents have experienced when their child has died of SIDS. I really don't. It is horrible.

And it is good to know what the "ideals" are when it comes to caring for your child.

But sometimes, these ideals are just not practical for some kids.

I'm a mom of 3 and it can be really hard to watch 2 older kids and never use a carseat for shopping. Especially if your baby *hates* a sling/bjorn/ergo. It happens. Sometimes, you also have a colicky baby who - for 12 straight weeks - would *only* fall asleep in her carseat that is being swung by mommy or daddy in a particular way. Once asleep for a while, we moved her, but still - more time in the carseat. Would have LOVED to use the bjorn, etc. (and I tried about 5 different slings, etc.) but no go.

Do I love that this meant she spent more time in the carseat than normal? No...but you do what you do to survive.

My advice to new moms is to be aware of the research, and hope for an easy-going baby who is adaptable to most everything. My second was like that and it was a dream. He didn't even really like his carseat as a baby, and loved the Ergo, so it was all good. But my third? Ugh.

Moms - don't stress out about these things. Try for the ideal and if that doesn't work, just go with what works for your child. SIDS is actually pretty rare...

[Anonymous]

Tell it sister! Common sense rules and boy does that message really set in once you have more than one!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't want to minimize the horrible tragedy that some parents have experienced when their child has died of SIDS. I really don't. It is horrible.

And it is good to know what the "ideals" are when it comes to caring for your child.

But sometimes, these ideals are just not practical for some kids.

I'm a mom of 3 and it can be really hard to watch 2 older kids and never use a carseat for shopping. Especially if your baby *hates* a sling/bjorn/ergo. It happens. Sometimes, you also have a colicky baby who - for 12 straight weeks - would *only* fall asleep in her carseat that is being swung by mommy or daddy in a particular way. Once asleep for a while, we moved her, but still - more time in the carseat. Would have LOVED to use the bjorn, etc. (and I tried about 5 different slings, etc.) but no go.

Do I love that this meant she spent more time in the carseat than normal? No...but you do what you do to survive.

My advice to new moms is to be aware of the research, and hope for an easy-going baby who is adaptable to most everything. My second was like that and it was a dream. He didn't even really like his carseat as a baby, and loved the Ergo, so it was all good. But my third? Ugh.

Moms - don't stress out about these things. Try for the ideal and if that doesn't work, just go with what works for your child. SIDS is actually pretty rare...

Where did you get the connection between SIDS and sleeping in the car seat? SIDS is CRIB death.

The concerns here are different. Being strapped in a car seat for a long time can limit the expanding of the ribcage so the baby doesn't get as much O2 as it would get if it was being held against mom's body. (here we're assuming you actually read the instructions and will ALWAYS buckle your child no matter if it's in the car or not). Don't forget that all that coziness the carrier gives is not breathable.

Also, flat head is another one since they're now sleeping on their backs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have never known anyone whose baby died from suffocation in a car seat, but I have heard about the studies. I think part of the concern came from the fact that people were leaving their babies in car seats for extended periods of time.

To be fair, it's also good to be aware of some of the concerns regarding slings (since people are talking about baby-wearing):

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11044.html

Realize that 14 babies over 20 years makes a sling much much safer than leaving your baby in a carseat -- especially when you consider the bag sling recalls as of late, which we've been advocating for for years now. Babywearing is safe.

Regardless, the risk the CPSC mentions is from poor use, rather than the risk presented from PERFECT use in a carseat. A baby in an upright tummy to tummy carry (what we teach) is positioned exactly as they would be in your arms. Visible and kissable. There is no risk whatsoever, at least no more risk than if they were carried in your arms. If your baby is in a cradle carry with their face covered, you should not be using your sling in that manner. Yet even with the unsafe bag slings, etc, the subset of the population who has purchased and used carriers (based on # of sales of all types) would be statistically more likely to be struck by lightning TWICE than have their baby injured in their sling. Babywearing is incredibly safe -- but good positioning is important and that's a great link.

Here's the BCIA release to coincide with that one: http://babycarrierindustryalliance.memberlodge.org/baby-sling-safety -- good info on positioning.

[Anonymous]

To clarify, we're not only speaking of positional asphyxia but of potential brain damage from desats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
The concerns here are different. Being strapped in a car seat for a long time can limit the expanding of the ribcage so the baby doesn't get as much O2 as it would get if it was being held against mom's body. (here we're assuming you actually read the instructions and will ALWAYS buckle your child no matter if it's in the car or not)..

It actually isn't the straps, it is the angle and head position of the baby. Chin to chest closes off their airway. When they're at exactly 45 degrees that is best, but still leads to some significant desats per the studies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Where did you get the connection between SIDS and sleeping in the car seat? SIDS is CRIB death.

The concerns here are different. Being strapped in a car seat for a long time can limit the expanding of the ribcage so the baby doesn't get as much O2 as it would get if it was being held against mom's body. (here we're assuming you actually read the instructions and will ALWAYS buckle your child no matter if it's in the car or not). Don't forget that all that coziness the carrier gives is not breathable.

Also, flat head is another one since they're now sleeping on their backs.

SIDS is not "CRIB death". It is short for sudden infant death syndrome and results (researchers believe) from a lack of oxygen to baby while sleeping. Doesn't matter where the baby is sleeping, which is why there is concern about the decreased oxygen while sleeping in a carseat. Suffocation is different from SIDS as well (the sling deaths resulted from suffocation, not SIDS).

Honestly, your post really doesn't make a whole lotta sense. What concern do you think less oxygen raises if not SIDS?

[Anonymous]

I love my DD way more than other moms live their kids, so we don't use a carseat at all. We stay home all day and night and I'm proud to say that in 6 months I have never put him down once.

[Anonymous]

I'm not the pp you quoted, but as I stated, less oxygen in a carseat or carrier would typically be positional asphyxia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell it sister! Common sense rules and boy does that message really set in once you have more than one!

Or twins like me!

[Anonymous]

No need to get your knickers in a twist, blimey!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never known anyone whose baby died from suffocation in a car seat, but I have heard about the studies. I think part of the concern came from the fact that people were leaving their babies in car seats for extended periods of time.

To be fair, it's also good to be aware of some of the concerns regarding slings (since people are talking about baby-wearing):

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11044.html

Realize that 14 babies over 20 years makes a sling much much safer than leaving your baby in a carseat -- especially when you consider the bag sling recalls as of late, which we've been advocating for for years now. Babywearing is safe.

Regardless, the risk the CPSC mentions is from poor use, rather than the risk presented from PERFECT use in a carseat. A baby in an upright tummy to tummy carry (what we teach) is positioned exactly as they would be in your arms. Visible and kissable. There is no risk whatsoever, at least no more risk than if they were carried in your arms. If your baby is in a cradle carry with their face covered, you should not be using your sling in that manner. Yet even with the unsafe bag slings, etc, the subset of the population who has purchased and used carriers (based on # of sales of all types) would be statistically more likely to be struck by lightning TWICE than have their baby injured in their sling. Babywearing is incredibly safe -- but good positioning is important and that's a great link.

Here's the BCIA release to coincide with that one: http://babycarrierindustryalliance.memberlodge.org/baby-sling-safety -- good info on positioning.