How long in a car seat: is there “official” advice?

[Morred]

This isn’t probably a mix of googlefail and being a big PFB, but is there a any advice from the NHS about how long babies can stay safely in their car seats?

DS is 16 weeks and I have have founds various things online about 30 mins max for a newborn, and the car seat manufactures say 2 hours. Is OK to assume DS will be ok for 2 hours now, or does it increase gradually? I’ll be in the back with him while DH drives, so I’m almost sure it would be fine, but then would I notice oxygen desaturatisation?

I'm pretty sure it's 2 hours actually in the car, and you aren't supposed to leave them in the seat at all if not (excepting if you attach the seat to a frame as a pram). If the seat isn't in the car or on a frame it presumably would be at the wrong angle.

On a drive I would just stop every 2 hours, get out of the car and get the baby out of their seat for a bit of a break.

30 mins max up to 6 weeks and only for essential journeys. After that up to two hours but only when the car seat is necessary so no walking around the shops with a baby in a car seat. I would do quick trips eg chemist to collect a prescription but not a wander around killing at things.

If your little one is a premie then it is 6 weeks corrected age.

Thanks, everyone. I don’t use the car seat ever except in the car but we’ve got a longish journey coming up (3-4 hrs) and i wondered if stopping every two hours would be ok..

What is his head control like? If he’s strong then i’d do 2 hours at 16 weeks without question.

Official advice - 2 hours before a break

One study recommended 30mins max for a newborn.

Common sense approach - don't leave them more than 2 hours if they're not a newborn, have no health problems and you're actually on a long journey. Otherwise don't clip them onto the pram in the car seat for hours on end and use the car seat sensibly for other journeys.