Parents have been warned that keeping newborns in a car seat for longer than 30 minutes could put them at risk of suffocation but only a third of parents are aware of the risks, it’s been revealed.
A survey by Churchill Car Insurance found that only 31 per cent of parents are aware that long periods of time in a car seat can cause problems with babies’ breathing and increase their heart rate.
What’s more, a similar proportion also didn’t realise that they should be taking a 15-minute break every two hours when travelling with a newborn, according to a report.
Three-quarters of parents surveyed said were unaware that travelling for longer than 30 minutes at a time can result in breathing difficulties for young babies.
He said: “Although it is very important for parents to always use an appropriate car seat for young babies on car journeys, the baby should always be taken out of the seat and placed in a suitable sleeping place such as a cot or Moses basket after the journey. Car seats are not designed for longer periods of infant sleep.
“In the first four-to-six weeks after birth parents should try to avoid car journeys of more than 30 minutes for their baby, and whenever possible an adult should travel with the baby in the back seat of the car to keep a check on their position and well-being.
“If longer journeys are unavoidable, please take regular breaks in which the baby is taken out of the car seat as much as possible.”
