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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave my baby in a car seat for longer than two hours?

26 replies

Newmummytobe79 · 02/12/2011 11:24

I usually use the car seat for short journeys to Grandparents and whilst doing the food shop - no longer than the stated two hours.

I want to go out this afternoon - food shop and a bit of Christmas shopping - baby will be in car seat for no longer than 3.5 hours - is this too long or ok for a one off?

Thanks

OP posts:
Kayano · 02/12/2011 11:25

I'd say ok
But I'm a lot more relaxed than other people

WowOoo · 02/12/2011 11:25

Well if he wakes up you'll have to take him out won't you?
I'd say he'd need a little stretch and a break at some point.

GwendolineMaryLacedwithBrandy · 02/12/2011 11:26

I would say it's ok for a one off but is there no way you can take the baby out for a little while even? Have a coffee or something. TBH, food shopping and Christmas shopping needs a caffeine stop!

GwendolineMaryLacedwithBrandy · 02/12/2011 11:26

The coffee is for you btw Xmas Grin

WowOoo · 02/12/2011 11:26

Sorry, meant to say if he screams or needs a nappy change you'll need to take him out...

NinkyNonker · 02/12/2011 11:27

You'd prob need to stop to stretch legs, change Nappy, feed etc. I would, and I am pretty laid back. How old is the baby?

Original poster
Newmummytobe79 · 02/12/2011 11:29

Good idea re coffee! Grin

Baby is 11 weeks old.

This includes travel time - will feed just before going out then again as soon as we get home.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 02/12/2011 11:32

Do you not have another option for when he is in the pram (carrycot or something?) I wouldn't like being in one position for so long and would avoid it with a baby if at all possible

NinkyNonker · 02/12/2011 12:38

I would avoid. Presumably you have a pushchair type thing? I wouldn't like to be strapped up like that for that time period, I'd imagine a baby to be the same. And at 11wks mine would have needed feeding and a cuddle.

I'd use a proper pram or factor in rest stops.

Catsdontcare · 02/12/2011 12:45

If you have a proper pram then I would use that

Bamaluz · 02/12/2011 12:46

I agree with Ninky, I'd take the baby out of the car seat to go shopping and use the pushchair without it, much more comfortable for baby.

Harecare · 02/12/2011 12:49

Best to put in lying flat pram, but for a one off it's no big deal.

SuzysZoo · 02/12/2011 14:34

I think the problem with being in a car seat for long time is that it can affect their breathing to be "crunched up". That said, my first son spent about the first year of his life in a car seat as it was the only place he'd sleep. He was a big baby, no breathing problems and now has a straight spine. It's not ideal but really won't hurt (unless you have a tiny baby who might suffer from the breathing problem IMO).

cat64 · 02/12/2011 15:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

RitaMorgan · 02/12/2011 15:10

Too long imo. Will you really not take the baby out of it at all?

frumpet · 02/12/2011 15:18

My dd slept in hers for longer than two hours , infact it was about the only place she would sleep . She is 9 , tall for her age and not in the slightest bit deformed . However as you are going shopping , no doubt your baby will want feeding every 15 minutes Grin

frumpet · 02/12/2011 15:19

I am always slightly bemused by the lie flat thing , mine often slept in my arms after feeding , and they werent flat

callmemrs · 02/12/2011 16:08

I thought you were going to say the car journey was more than 2 hours. As it's a shopping trip, I would use a pram which will be much more comfy for the baby. Having said that, it won't do Any harm as an occasional thing. We had a 3 hour car journey to grandparents when ours were small, and we certainly didn't break the journey up if ours were sleeping, so they must have spent longer than the recommended time in a car seat- however, when you have a long journey theres no choice. As you are talking about a shopping trip I would definitely use an alternative

CinnabarRed · 02/12/2011 19:06

It's not about bone development or the spine, it's about breathing. The oxygen saturation of babies' blood decreases markedly in car seats. In fact, there is some talk of reducing the recommended maximum time to 1 hour.

Obviously the reduced oxygen saturation levels are worth it compared to the alternatives in the event of a car crash. But personally, I'd say use an alternative for a shopping trip if you have one.

IReallyHateMyCat · 02/12/2011 19:22

Not very comfortable for him to be squashed for that long especially as he will be wet at least half way through it. Stop for a little mini break

Lynli · 02/12/2011 19:24

I wouldn't. I wouldn't for two hours either. I had to resuscitate my Grandaughter when she stopped breathing.

After hospital investigations I was told that it was caused by the posisition of the baby in the car seat. The consultant said he recommends the use of a car seat for a journey only, as it is the only time the risk of not using one would out weigh the risk of using one.

fraktious · 02/12/2011 20:28

No chance my 11wo would have gone without a feed/change for that long but I wouldn't have done it for out and about in any case.

RillaBlythe · 02/12/2011 20:35

Wow, I have an 11 week old, there is no way she would stay in a carseat for that long!

Lynli, that sounds awful.

MoreBoober · 02/12/2011 20:44

Don't worry you can still have your trip out, just put baby in car seat for travelling only than swap to pram for shopping. My DS would not have lasted that long with out a feed so I would also have planed a coffee/feed stop in the middle. This would also save from any 'I'm hungry meltdown' on the way home Grin
You can have your cake and eat it Wink

NinkyNonker · 02/12/2011 20:49

If you have a frame to push the car seat around on I assume you have a travel system type thing which should have a proper baby carrier bit with it, I would use that.

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