Newborn Sleeping in a Car Seat at Night?

Our baby won't sleep in a bassinet but sleeps blissfully in her car seat. The Dr. doesn't have a problem with it. Any experience?

Platinum Member Joined: May 06 2007 Posts: 8521

It was the only way that my oldest child ever got any sleep. He was horrible. We would walk around and around the neighborhood in his carseat/stroller. Then, we would wheel the stroller in right next to his crib.
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Diamond Member Joined: Jun 09 2009 Posts: 3234

My kids also slept better in the car seat. I kept it next to my bed at night and used it as a crib.

Senior Member Joined: Aug 11 2010 Posts: 172

My DS slept more or less in his bassinet but spent most of the day in his carseat. I know of babies who slept in the carseat at night. Whatever works! Your baby will probably outgrow it but right now you need to do whatever it takes for you to get some sleep!

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18318

I would not risk it. There is a very real risk of occlusion of the airway due to the angle the baby is at combined with poor neck control. I'd much sooner put my baby to sleep on his stomach in a crib next to me than let my baby be in a carseat for longer than 2 hours.
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Platinum Member Joined: Jun 22 2008 Posts: 6433

I didn't do carseat, I did bouncer, its a different position. we did it for reflux, infant car seats aren't good for reflux babies anyway

Executive Member Joined: Oct 19 2010 Posts: 256

I did it until my baby was about 4 months old, then switched to bassinet, and then finally crib. My pediatrician was ok with it, he just warned that the longer you wait, the harder it is ti transfer them to a flat surface.

Platinum Member Joined: Oct 14 2009 Posts: 5894

I heard it can potentially restrict the airways if the baby's head curls forward, can cause flat head in back, and is correlated with low muscle tone later on. The first two I have read in multiple reputable sources, the low muscle tone thing I don't remember where I heard...

Gold Member Joined: Jun 07 2006 Posts: 1527

my babies all slept in car seats till they outgrow it
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Executive Member Joined: Sep 09 2007 Posts: 412

My daughter had a two to three week period where she refused to sleep anywhere but the car seat. Durring this period we put the carseat in the bassinet. After the three weeks she hated the car seat even when in the car, we tried very hard not to travel with her. Looking back durring those two months she had aweful acid reflux until we were able to keep it under control with meds and special formula. Now she is indifferent to the car seat.

Executive Member Joined: Oct 29 2009 Posts: 368

I'm surprised your doctor was fine with it. I had three different doctors, including a GI specialist, tell me that the car seat is THE worst position for reflux. My pediatrician also said it can cause torticollis (sp?). My neighbor had her baby sleep in his car seat for a couple months and he had pretty bad torticollis. She said she would never do it again.

Gold Member Joined: Jul 21 2010 Posts: 1728

My nephew slept in his car sear at night just like ur baby and he had major issues. He had to go to therapy bec when he slept, apparently his head would tilt to one side the whole night. Im not sure the details but I know it effected him. Doesnt mean it will happen to ur child

Executive Member Joined: Oct 29 2009 Posts: 368

Gold Member Joined: Jul 21 2010 Posts: 1728

Some of mine did a lot. I did hear that it can be problematic, but aren't they all curled up in utero too?

Gold Member Joined: Mar 30 2008 Posts: 1426

I've heard its really dangerous and can cause all sorts of problems. I'm very surprised at the number of women here who are saying they do this. Please check it out with another paediatrician.

Posted: Thu, Oct 21 2010, 3:07 am Post subject:

For MOST infants it's not a big deal. For the preemie or infant with breathing issues (apneas) it's potentially quite dangerous.

A torticollis is the tightening of the muscle on one side of the neck which is what causes the "head tilt". Just like when you fall asleep and your head tilts and you wake up with a crick in your neck, so can an infant. But because they have poor neck control it's more LIKELY to happen. That said, sleeping in an infant carseat cannot CAUSE torticollis, as a true torticollis is a muscle issue.

Another thing to consider is the effect of long term "sitting" on the immature spine...also potentially an issue.

All that said, if your pediatrician didn't have a problem with it, I don't know why you need the affirmation of us Imamothers.
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Silver Member Joined: Apr 26 2005 Posts: 778

Our pediatrician specifically told us not to let the baby sleep in the car seat - it's terrible for the spine, head, breathing.