Worried about my prem newborn in her car seat - seems unsafe, pls advise/reassure

[FeelingIrie]

Hi there

First time mum here, hoping for a bit of help. My DD is 3 wks old tomorrow. She was born by planned section at 36 wks gestation due to IUGR. Her birth weight was 4lb 4oz and there were no concerns so she was able to come with me to the postnatal ward after delivery.

A couple of days later she was struggling with feeding (being topped up with cup fed formula whilst my milk came in) so spent a couple of days in SCBU so that we had the option to tube feed her, which happened for a day or so, then my milk came in and I have been ebf since. She was discharged from SCBU and we spent a further couple of days on PNW until she was a week old. We went home with her weighing 3lb15oz.

Two wks later and she weighs 4lb 8 oz; she is doing great. However on the few occasions we have taken her out in the car I have been so worried about her. We have a Silver Cross Simplicity with isofix, it has a head hugger but her head is so tiny, the size of a grapefruit and so still lots of room. I have rolled up a blanket to pad out the gap and make it snug but she still looks like she is being jolted and juddered about the whole journey. I feel neurotic saying this but I can't help but think of shaken baby syndrome and brain damage when I see her little head juddering all over the place. Am I worrying unnecessarily?

I mentioned to midwife yest but she was quite dismissive, just said, well you've got to transport her somehow haven't you...she'll be fine. Would you mums of prem babies agree?

All help much appreciated. TIA x

Am sure you can buy prem inserts for car seats. Did yr dd do the carseat challenge before u left hospital... Or is that only for those who've had breathing difficulties?

Yep, they are called tiny travellers, we bought ours from Mother Care x

DS2 was slightly bigger (just under 5lb) on leaving hospital. I can't say I noticed the same problem. However, are you using one of those mirrors attached to the head rest of the adult car seat to view him? If so, beware! They tend to wobble loads and make the baby's wobbliness look far worse than it really is! I'd be careful using towels though in case the baby over heats. The sort of little jolts you are noticing are far less vigorous than the kind of forces implicated in shaken baby syndrome. Honestly I totally understand your anxiety, but I think it's ok. I was extremely anxious too after DS2 was born, we also had feeding issues, he spent a week in NiCU and had some help breathing too initially. Eventually I was diagnosed with and treated for PND. I'm not saying that's what's going on with you, but it's more common in mums of prems, so keep a look out.

Thank you for your replies.

Thanks Fraggle, will check out Mothercare.

Poppet - we didn't do the car seat challenge no, this wasn't mentioned at all. It may have been overlooked as she was discharged from SCBU to PN ward, then home. PN ward was of course v busy and by their own admission they don't usually have babies of that size on the ward. So it may not have occurred to them to do this as part of discharge - and it certainly didn't occur to me, I was just desperate to get home! What does the challenge consist of/ measure?

Bonzo, not using a mirror, I was sat next to DD on the back whilst DH drove. I know I am feeling pretty protective, and much more anxious about things than I was pre-baby. I'm glad you feel that this is unlikely to have done any actual damage. Good point re over heating. I do think I will avoid unnecessary trips for another couple of wks until I feel she is more robust, just for peace of mind. Thanks again x

Thats the one Fraggle! OP the carseat challenge involves wiring baby up to heartrate and ox saturation monitors then leaving them in a carseat for an hour. Its to check that being in a scrunched up position isnt hampering their ability to breathe. It tends to be done on babes who've had significant breathing issues though so dont fret that dc hasnt had it.