Your newborn won't sleep through the night. This is normal but means you’re constantly exhausted from what feels like waking up every 30 minutes to tend to them. For some crazy reason unbeknownst to you, your baby prefers to fall asleep in the car and sleeps most of the journey; they can’t get to sleep when lying in their cosy, warm and silent cot, but they fall asleep instantly on the noisy, bumpy car journey! The car journey has now become a moment you can rest and get some peace, as it’s pretty much guaranteed that the rocking motions of the car will put your little one into a deep slumber.

While your baby-free time may seem like a sure thing on every car journey, you wonder whether it’s actually safe for them to fall asleep while you’re driving.

We understand your concern and would like to offer you some advice from the experts before you make a decision about what’s right for you and your baby.

First of all, let’s look at the supposed benefits of letting your baby sleep in a “sitting device”.

What are the supposed benefits of letting your baby sleep in a sitting device?

For some babies, sitting upright is the only way they will go to sleep. If they can only get to sleep in a stroller, sling, or a car seat, it’s going to benefit your baby, you and the rest of your family. It’s important that you all get enough sleep.

What do the experts say about letting your baby sleep in a sitting device?

A 2019 study, published by the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP), found that it is in fact dangerous for babies to sleep for long periods of time in a car seat. The study looked at 12,000 sleep-related cases that have been fatal for babies and found that 3% of these cases happened in sitting devices, most of which involved car seats. Although this seems small, the AAP points out that it’s still a large enough percentage to be considered significant. The study highlighted that:

Sitting devices could obstruct their breathing, especially if improperly used. Straps can get caught around the baby's neck causing their airways to become blocked when their head rocks forward; young babies do not have the strength yet to move their heads back to an upright position.

Sitting devices are generally elevated on a soft surface and may tip over and therefore cause an obstruction of breath.

Authorities such as the AAP and the Centres for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) firmly advise that for napping and sleeping at night, babies should be laid down on their backs at all times.

How do I use this information to make a decision that’s right for my baby?

You cannot stop your baby from falling asleep in a stroller, sling, or car seat. And nor should you have to. It’s absolutely fine for your little one to drift off on a long car journey. It’s just important that you keep a watchful eye on them.

While it’s tempting to take a nap at the same time as your little one or have a shower while they’re sleeping in the stroller, while your baby is upright, they should not be left unattended. This is especially important for younger babies. Most babies can start to hold their heads up at around 3 months.

Don’t be afraid to drive at the usual speed. Of course, always use a car seat while travelling – that’s a must. The AAP points out that the cases recorded in the study mentioned earlier took place in a “non-travelling context”.

When travelling by car, make sure your baby is strapped into a car seat that has been properly installed.

We understand this isn’t exactly the most pleasant of topics to talk about, but this is an important area where you need to be vigilant and implement safe practices for your baby.

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