In this article we take a look at travelling long distances with your newborn and how often they should take a break from the car seat.
Regular breaks on long journeys are essential not only for your little one’s comfort, but also for the driver to be refreshed and alert.
How long can a newborn stay in a car seat?
There is very little research on how long newborns can stay in their car seat. A general rule often stated is that newborns should take a break from their car seat every 2 hours. This is not founded in any research and comes from the RoSPA guidance for drivers to take a break every 2 hours.
You may also be told newborns must spend no longer than 30 minutes in their car seat. This comes from a pilot study conducted by the University of Bristol in 2016 to assess the usefulness of the ‘car seat challenge’ on babies being discharged from NICU. The study concluded that more research is needed in this area.
Does the 2-hour rule apply to newborn babies?
It is impossible to know what is suitable for each individual baby. The most important thing is to ensure your baby is monitored while in the car seat, and it is not used outside of the car in place of a safe sleep environment. It's best for baby to be on a firm, flat surface for sleep when out and about - such as the pushchair carrycot.
Driving will be riskier with a newborn if the driver is tired from sleep deprivation, and little one will need feeds, nappy changes and cuddles regularly.
Your child must always be in a car seat when travelling in the car – this is a legal requirement, regardless of length of time.
Using travel systems for newborns
Little one is best laying on their back, on a firm, flat surface. Being able to connect your car seat to the pram chassis is convenient, but is best kept for short, quick trips. If you’re heading out for the day, baby will be more comfortable transferred to the carrycot or lie flat pushchair seat.
How long do you need to wait between journeys?
There is no research or guidance on the length of time baby has a break from the seat. They do need to be able to stretch and move around freely. You will also want to top up on lots of snuggles with little one!
How often can babies travel in a car seat?
Babies need to travel in a car seat whenever they are in the car. This is a legal requirement and the frequency of journeys undertaken has no impact on this.
It is best practice to always transfer baby to the pushchair’s carrycot or lie flat seat unit when you get to your destination.
How long can babies sleep in a car seat?
Car seats are not safe sleep environments. If little one is snoozing when you get home, transfer them out of the car seat.
How to make sure your baby is positioned correctly in their car seat
Here are our tips for making sure little one is well positioned in the car seat:
- Ensure all thick and puffy clothing is removed, such as jackets, snowsuits and coats. They will impact how baby sits in the seat, how the harness fits and can lead to baby overheating.
- Loosen the harness so the straps are easy to secure around baby.
- Place baby in the seat, ‘tucking’ their bottom toward the buckle.
- Ensure the straps come over the top of their shoulders and are not too high. When little one is rear facing, the straps should be level with their shoulders or just below.
- Buckle the harness. If your car seat has a 5-point harness like Dream i-Size, pull the chest straps up to remove any slack in the hip straps before you pull the harness tight.
- Pull the harness tight and use the pinch test to check it is tight enough. If you can pinch the webbing top to bottom, the harness if too loose.
Silver Cross Car seats for your newborn
We currently have three car seats suitable for use from birth, Glide Plus 360, Approach Plus 360 and Motion 2 All Size 360.
Glide Plus 360
From their very first journey home, Glide Plus 360 ensures unrivalled safety and comfort. Our lie-flat infant carrier will cocoon your newborn in the optimal travel position, whether it’s in your car or connected to your stroller. Secure to the Base Plus 360 with an effortless spin, ISOFIX fitment, and an AgeLock rotation switch for easy, stress-free boarding every time.
Approach Plus 360
Travel in complete safety and comfort with Approach Plus 360. Our multi-stage car seat, suitable from newborn to 19.5kg (approx. 4 years old), will transport your little passenger in the optimal travel position thanks to its market-leading inner seat recline system. Secure to the Base Plus 360 (sold separately) with a 360° rotation, ISOFIX fitment, and an AgeLock rotation switch for easy, stress-free boarding every time.
Motion 3 All Size 360
If you’re looking for an all-stage design, Motion 3 All Size is the only car seat you need. Approved for use from birth, it reclines and grows with little one – right up to 12 years old! Bamboo fabrics cocoon little one, and the 360° rotation makes buckling up fuss free.
Discover Motion 3 All Size 360
Perform
Travel the safest way with Perform, our Swedish Plus Tested extended rear-facing car seat, which keeps children safe and comfortable from birth to 125cm (approx. 7 years). Approved by the Swedish Plus Test and meeting the latest R129/04 standard, with always-active Side Protection System, Perform gives your little one the safest ride on every journey.
