FAQ About Baby Car Seats
Can baby sleep in car seat for 3 hours?
It is not recommended to let a baby sleep in a car seat for an extended period of time, such as 3 hours. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants spend no more than 2 hours in a car seat at a time, and that parents should try to minimize the amount of time their baby spends in a car seat overall.
The reason for this is that when a baby is positioned in a car seat for a long time, especially when the seat is not installed in a vehicle and is on a flat surface, the baby's head can fall forward and restrict their breathing, which can lead to a condition called positional asphyxia. This can be particularly dangerous for young infants, as their neck muscles may not yet be strong enough to hold their head upright.
If a baby falls asleep in a car seat during a car ride, it's okay to let them sleep for a short period of time while you're driving, but once you arrive at your destination, it's important to take them out of the car seat and place them in a safe sleep environment, such as a crib or bassinet.
