We all know that it is mandatory for children weighing under 36 kilograms and height under 150 cm to ride in a specialized child car seat. The reason for this is simple: in this way, the risk of injuries in the event of an accident for the child is reduced by more than 60%, and if the child rides with his back to the direction of travel, it can reach 90%. But have you heard of the 2 hour rule and the baby car seat? It is related to the safety and he alth of the little ones and is not very popular, although it is part of the recommendations of the seat manufacturers. We will tell you about it in the following lines.
What is the two hour rule
The two-hour rule states that it is not advisable for babies to ride in a car seat for more than two hours in a 24-hour period. The reason is in the posture of the body. Although the seats are as comfortable as possible for babies, they are also designed with many other functions, such as maximum protection in the event of an accident, ease of mounting the seat, matching the volumes in the car, good visibility of the baby for the driver. In practice, the child sits in a semi-upright position, which can put more strain on the spine and reduce the flow of air to the lungs. If the child falls asleep with his head bent forward, breathing can become even more difficult.
Why follow the rule
Although they have a reflex to hold their head up, babies have not yet developed it properly. They may not be able to respond if the tilted head restricts the airway and this creates a problem. The safest position for the baby is on the back and it is good to try to provide it whenever possible.
Another recommendation by manufacturers and pediatricians is to use a car seat only to drive the baby in the car, not to carry it by hand, in a stroller, etc. Switch to a sitting seat only when the baby is strong enough to hold his head up long enough.
These are all reasons to take frequent breaks and remove the baby from the seat, even if it means waking him up. If it's time for him to sleep, it's best to organize your day so that he sleeps in his crib or even in the stroller, in his usual bassinet. Transferring the car seat to the stroller and letting the child sleep in it is not a good idea according to pediatricians.
