Everything You Need to Know About Sleeping in a Car Seat
For some parents, car rides may feel like a magic trick to get their fussy baby to fall asleep.
However, while car seats are engineered for comfort and safety during travel, they are not
designed for safe infant sleep.
Is It Safe for My Baby to Sleep in a Car Seat?
It is fine for your baby to fall asleep in their car seat while you are driving. The problem lies
beyond the vehicle—car seats should not be used for sleep outside of the car. The only
time a child should be asleep in a car seat is during travel, when the car seat is properly
installed in the vehicle. This is because car seats are designed to position your baby at a
specific recline angle that supports safety during travel. Your car seat includes instructions
and indicators to help you achieve the correct recline angle, which is important to help
ensure optimal positioning for your infant. Additionally, when attached to an approved
stroller, the infant car seat is designed to connect to the stroller at an angle that is
appropriate for your child during travel.
For safe sleep, however, the AAP recommends that babies are placed on their back on a
firm, flat surface for every sleep until they reach 1 year of age. A baby sleeping in an
inclined or seated position is at risk of their body sliding or their head falling forward, which
could block their airway. Additionally, a car seat placed anywhere other than in a vehicle or
approved stroller (where it is properly installed) can easily tip over or shift into an unsafe
position.
The Stats
So, while it may feel like a cruel irony, the recline angle that is safest for car travel can
become dangerous for a sleeping infant—especially if a car seat is used outside of its
intended purpose.
Research published in Pediatrics analyzed infant sleep-related deaths and found that 348
of those deaths occurred in sitting devices. Of those sitting-device deaths, nearly two-
thirds occurred in car seats. Researchers also found that more than 90% of the car seats
involved were not being used according to manufacturer instructions.
A properly installed and correctly used car seat is one of the best ways to protect a child
during travel. However, this study highlights the risks associated with using a car seat as a
sleep space outside of the vehicle, allowing a baby to remain in the seat for extended
periods after a trip, or using the seat incorrectly.
What Can I Do to Keep My Baby Safe?
- Move your baby to a safe sleep environment as soon as possible. If your baby
falls asleep during a car ride, it is important to transfer them to a crib, bassinet, or
other firm, flat sleep surface as soon as you arrive at your destination. Resist the
urge to keep your baby in their car seat—no one wants to disturb a baby’s precious
sleep, but car seats placed on floors, tables, sofas, beds, or other surfaces are likely
to tip over, shift position, or become unstable and put your baby at risk. - Keep the harness buckled and secure. While it may be tempting to loosen or
unbuckle the car seat straps for your baby's comfort, this could allow the child to
shift into an unsafe position or become entangled. A properly positioned harness
helps maintain the correct seating posture and provides the protection car seat was
designed to deliver. If your baby falls asleep, leave the harness secured and properly
adjusted until they are removed from the car seat. - Install the car seat according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Always read
both your vehicle owner's manual and your car seat manual carefully. Make sure the
seat is installed securely, verify that the recline angle is correct for your child's age
and size, and ensure the harness fits snugly for every ride. If you are unsure whether
your installation is correct, consider having it checked by a certified Child Passenger
Safety Technician (CPST). - Avoid unapproved add-ons. Remember to only use items that are approved by your
car seat manufacturer. That extra fluffy head pillow and matching harness cover set
you found online might look cute—but if they haven’t been tested by your car seat
manufacturer, they can negatively affect the performance of your car seat.
Additionally, adding extra padding behind your infant’s head may push their head
forward, potentially compromising their airway. - Monitor your baby during travel. For your first rides with your newborn, it is a good
idea to have an adult seated in the back seat to monitor the baby. For added peace
of mind, SensorSafe™ Technology helps parents stay aware of important safety
conditions while traveling by providing alerts if the chest clip becomes unbuckled,
the vehicle temperature becomes too hot or too cold, a child has been seated for an
extended period, or a child is unintentionally left behind in the vehicle. - Communicate with all caregivers. Make sure grandparents, babysitters, daycare
providers, nannies, and other caregivers understand that car seats are intended for
transportation only and should not be used as sleep spaces outside of the car.
Having a conversation about safe sleep with anyone who will be caring for your child
helps establish clear expectations and gives you peace of mind.
Sleep Safety Matters—Especially On The Go
It is completely normal for babies to fall asleep during car rides. The key is understanding
that car seats are designed to keep children safe during travel, and they should not be used
as a sleep surface outside of the car. By following safe sleep recommendations and using
your car seat according to manufacturer instructions, you can help keep your little one
safer both on the road and at home.