Car Seat Safety For Preemies

Every 60 seconds, a car accident happens in the United States. Don't take chances with your child's safety – especially when it comes to tiny preemies.

Sharilyn Wagner, RN and child passenger safety tech at Franciscan Health, shares important details on car seat safety and considerations for preemies and smaller babies.

What Do Families Of Preemies Need to Know When Choosing A Car Seat?

Sharilyn said that parents should pay close attention to the car seat height and weight requirements, as well as the head support of the car seat. For example, there are special car seats for babies under four pounds.

Avoid seats with removable head padding and harness covers. These can put your preemie's head in an unusual position and impact their breathing ability.

Also, just because one car seat is more expensive than another doesn't mean one is necessarily better than the other. All car seats have undergone the same rigorous safety tests. You're often just paying more for the extra bells and whistles. Be sure to look at the overall seat and make sure its features work for your baby.

What Are The Common Myths About Car Seat Safety For Preemies?

Don't fall for these common misconceptions about car seats for preemies:

• Myth: Every car seat will fit my preemie. Not all seats will fit all babies – even those marketed for preemies. Working with a car tech technician is the best way to ensure a snug, safe fit for your little one.
• Myth: When I buy the seat, I won't need to make any adjustments. You'll need to adjust the harnesses and straps – and possibly your car – to ensure your baby fits securely into the seat and the seat fits correctly into your vehicle. Be sure to utilize all features of the seat, such as:
  • Changing the hip strap
  • Shortening the crotch strap
  • Fitting the harness
• Myth: My baby needs after-market products for comfort. After-market products like extra headpieces and blankets can jeopardize the safety of the car seat and should be avoided.
• Myth: It's OK to leave my baby in the car seat. "It's not a bed; it's a travel system," explained Sharilyn. Once you arrive at your destination, take your baby out of the car seat. This is because car seats can position your baby in ways that make it challenging to breathe.

What Are The Most Common Mistakes Parents Make When Installing Car Seats For Preemies?

The best car seat is the one that fits your baby and the one that is installed properly and used correctly. Sharilyn advises you to work with a car seat technician so you can avoid these common safety pitfalls:

• Check for recalls on your car seat and ensure the seat hasn't passed the printed expiration date.
• Don't add anything extra to the car seat, such as head or shoulder pads.
• Don't put your baby in a winter coat or snowsuit in the car seat. Your baby should wear nothing heavier than a sweatshirt while in their car seat.
• Ensure the harness strap is at or below your baby's shoulders.
• Keep your baby rear-facing as long as possible (until they max out the height and weight restrictions) to protect the head, neck and spine.

Tips For Ensuring A Snug, Secure Car Seat Fit For Smaller Babies

If you have a preemie, ask your baby's nurse or a car seat technician for guidance on selecting a seat that's a right fit for your small child. Use these tips to make sure you have a safe fit for your baby:

• Any time your child is in their car seat, they should be buckled in. Don't risk strangulation by the straps, even if your vehicle is not in motion.
• Be sure to check the crotch strap and waist placement strap and adjust as needed for a secure, safe fit.
• Don't use an all-in-one seat for your preemie. Once your baby reaches 10-15 pounds, an all-in-one seat is fine, but you should choose a special preemie seat for their first months.
• Change the harness straps in the back of the seat to the preemie (lowest) position. Some people don't realize this harness can be changed and then wonder why they can't get the straps tight enough on their small baby.
• If possible, an adult should ride in the back seat with preemies at all times.
• If your preemie came home with oxygen, make sure all of the equipment is placed safely on the floor and out of the way. You don't want to risk the equipment flying into the baby in the event of an accident.
• Read your car seat manual and your car manual. "You can have the best car seat, but if it doesn't fit properly, then you've accomplished nothing," Sharilyn said.
• The harness straps should be taught against the chest. You shouldn't be able to pinch the strap at the top of the shoulder.