10 Things to NOT Do with a Baby in Their Infant Car Seat

Keeping your child safe and protected in the car is up to you, and we're here to help! Education is key! Often, parents are unaware that certain practices involving their baby in the car seat are unsafe, not recommended, or potentially even dangerous.

Here are ten things to NOT do with a baby in their infant car seat:

1.  Never unbuckle or loosen your baby’s straps when outside the car - for example, when attached to a compatible stroller. 

This is an important safety tip that is probably the most common mistake! Whether you are inside or outside the car, your baby needs to stay properly strapped in. So often I see parents loosening their baby’s car seat straps because they are on a stroller walk or at the doctors office or at big sister’s soccer game, etc. etc., however, this is a huge no-no. A correctly positioned chest clip and snug straps keep your baby safe. They prevent your baby from slumping over, keep their head in the optimal position, and help them breathe better. Also, there is always a risk of a stroller tipping over especially over curbs or on uneven terrain. If your baby is not properly strapped in, they could fall out and get seriously hurt. Keep them buckled!

 

2.  Never let your baby continue to sleep in their car seat outside of the car. Your baby needs to be taken out and moved to a safe sleep space. 

It’s no secret babies, especially newborns, fall asleep in the car all the time! Sometimes it’s their favorite napping place. However, in the car the car seat is at a safe angle for your baby, but once removed from the car and placed on the ground, the car seat is no longer at a safe angle. The car seat can become a risk for positional asphyxiation. As hard as it is, you need to remove your sleeping baby and put her in a safe sleep space to continue the nap. 

3. Never forward face an infant car seat! 

Infant car seats are only designed to be installed rear facing. Make sure to always read your manual, and then read it again. :) Keep it handy so you know when it’s time to make adjustments, how to make those adjustments, how to reinstall or tighten it if needed, and to know when the seat is completely outgrown. You will reference your manual many times throughout the time your baby is in the infant car seat - most infant seats are outgrown around a year old.

4. Never place your infant car seat on top of a shopping cart!

Placing an infant car seat on top of a shopping cart (or really any high surface like a counter) is not safe. There is a risk of it falling off and it’s not recommended. Instead, I would recommend using a baby carrier while in the store so you still have your hands free, and a full empty shopping car to use for your items! 

5. Never cover the car seat with a blanket. 

Covering the car seat with a blanket is never recommended and is in fact dangerous as it traps heat inside causing a greenhouse effect in the enclosed seat. The increased heat and decreased air flow underneath the blanket can be very unsafe for your baby, and may cause heat stroke and even death. Also, you cannot know if your baby is struggling or having issues with the heat because you cannot see them underneath the blanket. To keep baby cool, choose a car seat with a bigger sunshade or extendable sun shade like Nuna’s “Sky Drape," use a fan when strolling outside of the car, and make sure baby is dressed appropriately for the hot weather.   

6. Never keep your baby in their car seat for more than two hours on a road trip without stopping.   

It is recommended that everyone stop during road trips to get out and stretch and move around, and the same goes for babies. Experts all agree, babies should not be in their infant car seat for more than two hours at a time. They need to be taken out to eat, stretch, get a new diaper, and to take a break from being in that position. This position can place a strain on the baby’s developing spine.

7. Never feed your baby baby while driving - whether milk or solid food.

You should never feed your baby while driving because of the risk of choking (from solids or from their own spit up), as well as the risk of the bottle becoming a projectile in the event of an accident. If it’s time to feed your baby, pull over, take them out, and take a little break.  

8. Never clip a pacifier or other item to the harness straps.

You should never clip a pacifier or any other object to the car seat straps because it can compromise the safety of the straps over time. Clipping something to the straps can break down the fibers and make them less strong. This is something that you likely wouldn’t be able to see with your own eye. Instead clip their pacifier to their clothing.

9. Never put your baby in their car seat while wearing bulky clothing such as winter jackets and Halloween costumes.

If you have to adjust and loosen the harness straps to fit your baby in their car seat because of their outfit, then it is not safe to wear it in the car. A great idea is to take your baby out of their seat without adjusting the straps at all, then dress your baby in what you’re wanting them to wear, then put them back in their seat. If the straps need to be loosened then it is not safe for them to wear that in their seat. In the winter time be aware bulky coats are never safe to wear in car seats - use blankets tucked in after harnessing and buckling is complete. Another tip is to bring your infant seat inside where it is warm. Turn your car on and warm it up if possible, buckle your baby inside the house, then take them outside with a blanket and click in the car seat. A fleece is usually fine in the car seat as well! 

10. Never use any aftermarket products in your car seat like car seat cushions or strap covers.  

Your car seat was only crash tested with what comes with it. You should never add anything to your car seat as it was not crash tested with that product and it could compromise the safety and performance of your car seat in a crash. Everything your baby needs will come with the car seat! This includes not using cutesy strap covers, extra head pillows or body cushions, and car seat mats not approved by the manufacturer. Some brands allow only certain car seat mats and some don't allow any. If you are ever unsure, contact the manufacturer directly to ask. 

See this blog post on the Top 10 Car Seat Safety Tips for suggestions on what TO DO! 

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Have more questions about car seats? Contact us at customercare@strolleria.com or chat with us today!