"Don't leave babies in seat more than necessary" Sources?

[soygurl]

Does anyone have any sources on why you shouldn't leave babies in the infant seat any more than necessary when outside of a vehicle? I know there can be a risk of head deformation, and the angle can be tough for very young infants. Plus the fall risk if the seat is on a high surface, and strangulation if the straps are loose or unbuckled. Is there anything else? Any nice links detailing it all?

I'm not talking about taking a sleeping baby out of the car and letting them keep sleeping, or sitting baby it the car seat while eating in a restaurant... more like the excessive use (baby in the seat more than out of it) that we sometimes see.

ETA: I know there are times when a baby will ONLY sleep in the car seat (reflux, etc.), and other situations which make for a good exception to this rule... Please don't think I'm flaming or attacking anyone for their specific situation and needs!

 

[bree]

Does anyone have any sources on why you shouldn't leave babies in the infant seat any more than necessary when outside of a vehicle? I know there can be a risk of head deformation, and the angle can be tough for very young infants. Plus the fall risk if the seat is on a high surface, and strangulation if the straps are loose or unbuckled. Is there anything else? Any nice links detailing it all?

I'm not talking about taking a sleeping baby out of the car and letting them keep sleeping, or sitting baby it the car seat while eating in a restaurant... more like the excessive use (baby in the seat more than out of it) that we sometimes see.

ETA: I know there are times when a baby will ONLY sleep in the car seat (reflux, etc.), and other situations which make for a good exception to this rule... Please don't think I'm flaming or attacking anyone for their specific situation and needs!

This article published in the journal Pediatrics investigated oxygen levels and concluded that "In healthy term newborns, significant desaturations were observed in both car beds and car seats as compared with hospital cribs. This study was limited by lack of documentation of sleep stage. Therefore, these safety devices should only be used for protection during travel and not as replacements for cribs."

 

[thtr4me]

Exactly what Bree quotes above. Here is a more user-friendly article on the same subject. Links to references at the bottom of the article. M'Liss Stelzer, RN was instrumental in making the babywearing world aware of positional asphyxia in carseats and other baby 'containers'. Her initial work was done on the Slingrider infant carriers that were recalled due to several deaths of babies in them. I had the honor of seeing M'Liss' presentation at the 2010 Babywearing Conference, and it was eye-opening and shocking.

http://www.sleepingbaby.net/carseats.php

 

[soygurl]

Thanks! Both of those are very helpful!

 

[ketchupqueen]

If you need anything on positional plagiocephaly, my mom could probably dig up a few. She has also mentioned developmental delays of babies in ”devices” all the time to me more than once but again I'd have to go to her for sources. The desat risk is the most critical, to me. It's why I have been taught that all babies should be removed from the seat after two hours max for a ten to fifteen minute break on long trips, too.

 

[thtr4me]

If you can access it, this incident really drives this all home. I will say upfront that baby is okay, but there are some triggering things discussed in the posts on this thread:

http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?509384-Stopped-breathing-in-a-carseat

 

[TechnoGranola]

If you can access it, this incident really drives this all home. I will say upfront that baby is okay, but there are some triggering things discussed in the posts on this thread:

http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?509384-Stopped-breathing-in-a-carseat

Do you know if she ever told the story here?

I wonder if the new insert in the Peg infant seat is anything like the insert in the convertible...TechnoBaby was 11 months I think when we got the seat and the instructions said she had to use the insert as she was under 22# (this restriction has since been removed but the manuals aren't yet updated until March Peg told me). The insert pushed her hips forward and jammed her into the buckle. I can imagine that this could be poor positioning for a newborn.

 

[thtr4me]

Do you know if she ever told the story here?

I wonder if the new insert in the Peg infant seat is anything like the insert in the convertible...TechnoBaby was 11 months I think when we got the seat and the instructions said she had to use the insert as she was under 22# (this restriction has since been removed but the manuals aren't yet updated until March Peg told me). The insert pushed her hips forward and jammed her into the buckle. I can imagine that this could be poor positioning for a newborn.

I am not sure if she shared here.