Car Seat Safety: Premature Babies and Babies With Medical Conditions Even with the best prenatal care, sometimes your baby wants to arrive a little earlier than planned. If this happens, your hospital will want to make sure your baby can travel safely in the car. Usually, infants born earlier than 37 weeks will need a tolerance test, also known as a car seat test. Babies with other medical conditions or those who may not tolerate sitting in a semi-reclined position, such as a rear-facing car seat, may also need this test.Car seat testCar seat testing is usually done in the hospital within one week before your baby is ready to go home. You will be asked to bring in your baby’s car seat, which he will sit in for 90 to 120 minutes or the length of the car ride home, whichever is longer. During the test, the nurse will monitor your baby’s heart rate, breathing and oxygen level.If your baby passes the car seat test, he will be able to use the car seat you have provided. If not, the hospital may repeat the same car seat test.

If your doctor tells you that your baby needs a car bed, it is likely because of concerns with your baby’s breathing and heart rate when he’s semi-reclined in a traditional child safety seat. The doctor may also order a home monitor to check your baby’s heart rate and breathing.Car bedsMedical staff may require your infant to ride in a car bed rather than a traditional child safety seat. Cooper Winter Tires Discoverer M SCar beds allow babies to lie down while traveling. Boston Terrier Puppies For Sale Near Mobile AlabamaThe American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that medical staff monitor infants with the following indicators before their first car trip:Infants less than 37 weeks gestational age at birthInfants of any age who may not tolerate sitting in a semi-reclined position, such as a rear-facing car seatInfants at risk for apnea, bradycardia, oxygen desaturation or obstructive apnea (e.g. Pierre Robin Sequence)Your pediatrician may repeat the car seat test to find out if your baby is medically stable enough Pottery Barn+Edison Chandelier Light Bulbs

to use a car seat.Car bed safety tipsPlease follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your baby's car bed and these guidelines:The car bed should be placed in the rear seat so that your baby’s head is in the center of the vehicle, away from the door.Use the vehicle’s seat belt to attach the car bed to the vehicle and be sure that the belt is tight.Place your baby on his back, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. If your baby’s pediatrician recommended placing your baby on his abdomen while riding in the car, she should tell you when this is no longer medically necessary.If your baby needs a breathing monitor or other equipment, learn how to secure it properly to prevent it from moving if a crash should occur.While your baby is riding in a car bed, someone other than the driver should watch him.Limit car rides, especially long trips, until your baby is medically stable enough to switch to a car seat. If the car ride will be longer than three hours, allow for rest stops every two to three hours so your baby can be out of the car bed for feeding and care.

Avoid using baby seats, baby swings, bouncy chairs, backpack slings and infant carriers until your baby is re-tested or your pediatrician says that it is safe for him to be in a semi-reclined position.If you still have concerns about installing and using the car bed properly, you can visit a car seat fitting station nationally or in the greater Philadelphia area. Please visit Car Seat Checks to learn more.Tips for using a traditional child safety seatIf your pediatrician determines that it is safe for your baby to be in a semi-reclined position, follow these tips to safely position your baby in a traditional safety seat:A properly positioned baby in a rear-facing child safety seat with a blanket roll on each side and at the crotch strapMake sure you check the weight requirements on the car seat and that your baby weighs enough to use the seat.Infant-only car seats with three- or five-point harness systems or convertible car seats with five-point harness systems provide the best comfort and positioning for your baby.

Do not use a car seat with a shield or arm rest. It may cause breathing problems or an injury to your baby’s face and/or neck during a sudden stop or crash.Only use head supports that come with the car seat. Do not use any head supports that are purchased separately. Most very small babies may need additional positioning assistance; you can put a blanket roll on each side of your baby to provide support for her head and body.When choosing your car seat, select one with the shortest distance from the crotch strap to the seat back, or one that has an adjustable crotch strap; this will prevent your baby from moving forward under the harness.Additional equipmentIf your baby goes home on a monitor, make sure to have enough battery power for at least twice the length of your car ride.Wedge any portable medical equipment on the floor of the car or under the seat. This reduces the risk of it flying loose in a crash or sudden stop. Most babies leave the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) and grow into normal, healthy children.

Some leave the NICU with temporary or chronic medical conditions. Use the time during your baby’s NICU stay to learn how to care for your baby when she goes home. What needs to happen before your baby can be discharged? The special day you've been waiting for is almost here. Your baby will soon be ready to come home. Once your baby achieves the following milestones, she's getting closer to going home: Sleeps in a crib, not an incubator Weighs about 4 pounds or more Has learned to breast- or bottle-feed Breathes on her own To help prepare you for going home and taking care of your baby full time, staff in the NICU will help you become comfortable feeding, dressing and bathing your baby. They will teach you: How to give her medications Use medical equipment at home The more you practice caring for your baby while she is in the hospital, the easier it will be when you get home. Before your baby goes home, learn infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Your hospital may offer the class, or you can find one through the local Red Cross or fire department. Although you probably will never need to use CPR, it could help you save your baby's life in a medical emergency. A team from the hospital, including your baby's primary nurse, will help you plan for your baby's discharge. They will refer you to any specialists or community services you may need, including equipment-supply companies. The social worker or case manager at the hospital often can help make arrangements for equipment deliveries, payment and other important issues. If your baby is almost ready to go home, but not quite, your baby may move to the "step-down" or intermediate-care nursery. Although you are happy your baby is getting better, you may be a little nervous about leaving the familiar staff and routines of the NICU. A visit to the step-down nursery before your baby is moved may help ease your concerns. The step-down nursery may be in the same hospital as the NICU, although not every hospital has one.

Sometimes, babies are transferred to a community hospital closer to home. Your baby's doctors will discuss any transfer plans with you in advance. If you and your baby's doctors decide this is right for your baby, the baby probably will be moved in an ambulance. The step-down nursery is usually quieter than the NICU. There are fewer machines because these babies no longer require the type of intensive care the NICU provides. Your baby needs fewer tests now. But she still needs a lot of care and rest to continue to grow and recover. You may be nervous about caring for your baby on your own. Many hospitals give you the chance to "room in" with your baby for a night or two before she goes home. Parents often find this is a helpful way to prepare to go home with their babies. One or both parents can stay with the baby and take charge of her care. But the nurse is there to answer any questions, if you have any. Before the big day, your baby may have a few final tests, such as blood tests and a hearing test.

Your baby may also be given a "car-seat test." Your baby's heart and breathing are checked as she sits in a car seat to make sure the positioning is safe for her. When all the test results are in and the baby is ready to be discharged, you can finally take your baby home! Babies who have been in the NICU should be followed up by a pediatrician who is well informed about the baby's NICU history and who can monitor the baby's medical and developmental needs. Some babies in NICUs are referred to early intervention programs either by NICU staff, their follow-up providers or parents themselves. These are free programs that offer a range of services to children under 3 years of age who have or are at risk for developmental problems. Many hospitals also provide various follow-up programs to assess how babies who have been in the NICU are doing. Speak to your baby’s health care team to learn more about these resources. You will always remember this difficult and special time in the NICU with your child.