Are Car Seat Strollers Safe ?

Car seat strollers or travel systems should be used according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. They can be safe when used correctly. They are not considered suitable for long periods of sleep and should not leave the child unattended.

Ensure that you have correctly installed the travel system with a five-point harness system that meets the safety standards for child safety.

Are car seat strollers really safe or risky? Know all the details with us.

Are car seat strollers safe for babies?

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The biggest concern with using strollers that have car seats is the risk of positional asphyxiation. This can happen if a baby’s head falls forward and blocks their airway. It’s best to use car seats only in vehicles and not as a place for your baby to sleep.

A short walk, such as 25 minutes, is usually safe if your baby is properly strapped in and you keep a close eye on them. However, keeping your baby in the car seat for more than two hours or using it outside the car frequently can be harmful.

Car seat strollers offer convenience for parents, but they also pose significant safety risks, particularly for babies and toddlers. Recent research highlights that there have been three deaths associated with strollers, all involving toddlers aged two years or younger. Asphyxia, particularly positional asphyxia, was the leading cause of these fatalities.

On average, there was a 32-minute gap between the last time the child was seen and when they were discovered. The primary danger lies in asphyxia, which can occur if children are not seated properly or are left unattended in strollers for extended periods. This underscores the importance of proper stroller usage and constant supervision to reduce the risks associated with their use.

What is meant by position asphyxia, and why is it dangerous for babies?

Positional asphyxia happens when a baby’s position blocks their airway and makes it hard or impossible to breathe. This can occur if their mouth and nose are covered, or if their head falls forward so their chin presses against their chest and blocks airflow. Newborns and young infants are at higher risk because they cannot move themselves to clear their airway.

Premature and low birthweight babies are even more at risk because their lungs are not fully developed, they are smaller, and they may not be able to sit upright enough in a car seat to keep their airway open. Older infants and toddlers can also be affected, especially if a car seat is placed on a soft surface like a bed, where they might roll over and get trapped.

There have been cases where infants and toddlers died from positional asphyxia after slumping in a car seat with their chin on their chest, which stopped their breathing. Even if a child is awake but left alone in a car seat or sling, their movements could accidentally block their nose or mouth and make it hard for them to breathe.

Related Article: When can your baby sit in a stroller?

How to ensure Car seat Stroller Safety -Key Considerations:

Make your child more safe by following these safety rules while traveling.

Proper Installation:

Car seats must be installed correctly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Supervision:

Car seats are designed for supervised use, and babies should not be left unattended in them for extended periods, especially for sleep, according to Consumer Reports. Pay attention to the head support, and ensure the baby’s airways are not blocked. Under no circumstances should you leave a baby unattended in a stroller with a car seat, particularly for prolonged durations. Always make sure the child is securely fastened in the stroller with the proper straps.

Safe Sleep Practices:

Car seats are not designed for safe sleep and should not be used as a substitute for a crib or bassinet. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with a firm mattress for sleep.

The 2-hour rule

A number of those in the know, like the AAP, advise that a newborn ought not to be in a car seat for more than 2 hours.
This applies to the period when the car seat is used within a stroller. Remember to allow breaks so that your baby can stretch, reposition, and ensure that there is no prolonged compression on their airways or spine.

Correct Fitting and Positioning:

Make sure that the car seat is installed correctly both in the car and in the stroller. It should be at the correct angle to minimize the chances of positional asphyxia. Further, your baby should always be secured in a car seat.

Limit Use of the Car Seat:

Using the car seat in a stroller for short durations, such as while running errands, is acceptable. It is very important, however, that the guidelines mentioned earlier are strictly followed. The car seat should not be relied upon for extended periods of sleep.
To keep your child safe and make things easier for you, avoid letting them sleep in strollers for long stretches.

Other Napping Options That Are Safer or for Longer Walks:

Bassinet Strollers:

Strollers that recline completely or have a bassinet attachment are preferable for infants. They enable babies to lie down, which is important for their spine and breathing.

Baby Wearing:

For short walks or when the baby is awake, a baby wrap or carrier is convenient. This promotes bonding and improved positioning.
Following these recommendations will help parents and caregivers minimize the risks linked with stroller use while optimizing safety and comfort for the child.

Related Article: Can a baby sleep in a stroller overnight?

What parents should know before purchasing a car seat or stroller?

If you’re thinking about buying a car seat stroller combo, there are a few important things to keep in mind to make sure your child is safe, comfortable, and that everything is easy to use. Here’s what you need to know.

1. What is a Car Seat Stroller Combo?

A car seat stroller combo lets you move your baby from the car to the stroller without taking them out of their car seat. These combos usually include:

A car seat with a stroller frame attachment.

Possibilities of a bassinet or a toddler seat to allow use as your child grows.

These systems are designed to grow with your child, making things easier as your baby gets older.

2. What to Look for in a Car Seat Stroller Combo:

When choosing a combo, look out for these features:

a. Safety:

Check for compliance with safety regulations: Both the car seat and stroller must comply with current safety regulations, for example, FMVSS 213 for car seats and ASTM F833 for strollers.

Additional safety features:

Some models are equipped with anti-rebound bars, load legs, or rear-facing tethers in the car seat, which minimize movement during a crash.
Make sure the car seat is simple to use and easy to install correctly.
You can also obtain help from a Child Passenger Safety Technician to evaluate the fitting of a child safety seat.

b. Comfort:

Head Support:

Infants and toddlers can be more comfortable when the straps of the safety seat feature high-quality materials such as merino wool and offer adjustable head support.

Canopy:

A good canopy protects your baby from the sun, which is especially important for newborns who are too young for sunscreen.

Reclining options:

Some car seats and strollers have a reclining feature that helps keep your baby’s head in a safe position.

c. Ease of Transport:

Lightweight car seat: The Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna offers an easy-to-carry, transport, and install car seat.

Easy folding stroller:

Look for a stroller that folds up small, especially if you don’t have much storage space. A stroller that stands on its own when folded can be very handy.

Convenience:

Other designs enable caregivers to install several car seat bases in different cars, thus increasing convenience for traveling families.

d. Accessory Options:

Additional attachments: Look for strollers with convenient extras like comfort transport bags, snack trays, sunshades, parasols, or comfort wheeled boards for toddlers. These allow your older child to stand or sit while you push the stroller.

Bassinet and toddler seat:

Choose a stroller that comes with a bassinet for newborns and a toddler seat for later. This way, you can use it as your child grows.

3. Practical Considerations:

Always buy a new car seat to make sure it meets the latest safety standards and hasn’t been used before.

Make sure your child is comfortable in both the car seat and stroller, and pick fabrics that are easy to clean.

Check that the car seat you choose fits with the stroller frame so you can move your baby easily from one to the other.

4. Popular Safe and Practical Car Seat Stroller Combos:

Bugaboo Turtle One by Nuna & Bugaboo Strollers: Compatible with several Bugaboo models (Bee 6, Fox 3, Donkey 5) and provides comfort and ease of transport as well as safety features like a load leg and adjustable head support.

Chicco Bravo Stroller with KeyFit 30 Infant Seat: An easy-to-use system with a lightweight design, rigid LATCH system, and simple folding and maneuvering of the stroller.

Graco SnugRide 35 with Modes Click Connect Stroller: Travel system with easy installation and shock absorption features, ideal for sustained use.

Car seat strollers safe – Really ?

For short trips or errands, car seat strollers are safe as long as you keep an eye on your baby. For longer naps, it’s better to use a stroller with a fully reclining seat or a bassinet. Remember the 2-hour rule and check on your baby during breaks.

FAQS- Are car seat strollers safe?

1. Can you mix and match car seats and strollers?

Yes, you can mix and match car seats and strollers, but the process is more straightforward if you purchase both from the same brand. Many brands design their car seats and strollers to be compatible with each other. However, if you want to mix different brands, you can still do so, as long as a car seat adapter is available to connect the two. These adapters enable you to connect a car seat from one brand to a stroller from another, creating a customized travel system.

2. Is there a universal car seat stroller?

Yes, universal car seat strollers are designed to be compatible with most car seats, providing easy transitions for parents on the go. Products like the Snap-N-Go® universal stroller are built with versatility in mind, allowing you to use different car seats with the same stroller base. These strollers are convenient for parents who prefer flexibility without being tied to one specific brand.

3. Can any car seat fit in any stroller?

Not all car seats are compatible with every stroller, as different strollers and car seats have varying compatibility standards. It’s essential to check if the specific car seat and stroller are compatible, especially when using other brands.

A car seat adapter can be used to connect many car seats to other strollers. Still, it’s essential to ensure that the adapter is designed for your specific car seat and stroller combination. Always consult the manufacturer’s guidelines for compatibility details.

Are car seat strollers safe ?