Can Babies Sleep in Car Seats?

It’s the ultimate parenting irony: your baby won’t sleep overnight in the bassinet you meticulously researched, but put them in their car seat any time of day, go for a drive and they’re out within minutes.

Most babies, especially infants, frequently fall asleep in car seats. But is it safe to let your baby sleep in their car seat? And if so, for how long? What if the seat isn’t being used in a car? And do things change as your baby grows from infant to toddler?

Decoding safe sleep can be tricky. As a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) trained in car seat safety and education, I know that parents’ sleep questions don’t stop just because they’re on the go. We turned to the experts to answer some of the most common questions parents have about safe baby sleep in car seats.

Can my baby sleep in a car seat?

When a car seat is properly installed in a vehicle, it's safe for a baby to sleep in it for short periods of time. However, several safety considerations must be kept in mind.

It’s not safe for a baby to sleep overnight or for long stretches of time in a car seat, either in or out of a vehicle. If your baby falls asleep in their car seat while you’re driving, you should move them to a firm sleep surface on their back as soon as possible, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) safe sleep guidelines.

If that’s not immediately feasible, you’ll want to monitor your baby frequently, according to Dr. Michael Perisa, a pediatrician with Zest Pediatrics of Solon, a pediatric direct primary care network. “It’s best to have an adult sitting in the back seat next to your infant during trips to ensure if they fall asleep, they remain in a safe position,” he explains.

It’s also important to ensure that your seat is properly installed rear-facing and that the five-point harness is secured properly. “This helps to reduce the chin-to-chest position that can happen when an infant’s head might fall forward and block their airway,” Dr. Perisa notes.

What about road trips or long car rides?

If you’re taking a long road trip, it’s important to take regular car seat breaks, especially if you’re traveling with a young infant. The AAP recommends taking your baby out of their car seat every two to three hours for a day trip and every four to six hours at night.

“Try taking frequent breaks (every two to four hours) while on longer trips,” emphasizes Perisa. “This will allow you to change dirty diapers and continue with your regularly scheduled feeds.”

Can my baby sleep in a car seat out of the car?

While it might be tempting to let your baby continue their car seat nap when you get home from the grocery store and bring them inside in their car seat, it’s not recommended to let your baby sleep in their seat when it’s not properly installed in your car. 

“Car seats were manufactured and designed specifically to ensure your baby is kept in a safe position when installed properly in a car and not meant to be used in other situations,” says Dr. Perisa. 

If you’re using a travel system or a car seat that attaches to your stroller and your baby falls asleep, monitor them and transfer them to a safe sleep environment as soon as possible. 

Are car seat accessories for sleep safe?

Car seat accessories marketed for sleep are not safe to use with your car seat or on their own. 

Often called aftermarket products, non-approved items like pillows, headrests, inserts and harness strap covers may look like they can make your baby more comfortable, but in reality, they’re very dangerous. These products can interfere with how your car seat performs in a crash and put your baby in an unsafe position.

The only products safe to use with your car seat are the ones sold and approved by your car seat manufacturer for your particular car seat model.

Does a baby need to be strapped into a car seat when it’s not in a vehicle? 

A baby should be strapped into their car seat whenever they are in it, regardless of whether or not the car seat is in the car or the vehicle is in motion. 

Harness straps are designed to keep your baby in a safe position; they support your baby’s core, head and neck, especially during infancy. “[If unstrapped], your baby could find themselves in unsafe positions and potentially slump over, causing airway issues,” Dr. Perisa says.

Can my toddler sleep in a car seat?

As your baby grows, the safety recommendations around sleep and car seats change. Older children can safely remain in a car seat for longer periods of time (both awake and asleep) than infants.

“There is less concern for airway obstruction as children get older and are better able to naturally protect their airway when sleeping,” explains Dr. Parisa.

However, it’s still important to ensure that your seat is properly installed according to manufacturer guidelines and that your child is correctly secured in the harness.