Knock It Off, Dad!

[Angelsj]

I only take one at a time (infants) and mine is the first one here (along with 2.5 yo brother.) If you don't want them awake for some reason, as mine always comes having just BF, you could try slowly undressing them and gently moving them to PnP or crib (or Mobi.)
Mom brings in the car seat, and I slowly take all her stuff off, and gently move her to where she will be sleeping for the morning. She will often sleep 4-5 hours.

[Josiegirl]

I'm not disputing the safety aspect of this at all but I am curious as to the difference between sleeping in the car seat whether it's riding in the car or sitting on the floor?

[Blackcat31]

I'm not disputing the safety aspect of this at all but I am curious as to the difference between sleeping in the car seat whether it's riding in the car or sitting on the floor?

The APA says
"The incline of a car seat is also crucial, said Silva -- an infant car seat must be installed such that the baby sits at a 45-degree angle, which helps keep the airway open"

They also recommend stopping periodically during long car trips to check on the position and condition of the infant.

"Infant car seats are not designed to be used as cribs, or for extended amounts of time. The risk of baby's head falling forward in a way that would affect breathing is also one reason why it's important to be sure that rear-facing car seats are installed at the proper angle, according to manufacturer's instructions. Robinson suggests that parents limit infants to a couple of hours of sleep in a car seat at a time, and never overnight. Even during road trips, it's a good idea to take baby out of the car seat every couple of hours, he said. The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends that babies not be allowed to sleep longer than one hour during car rides." http://babyproducts.about.com/b/2009...-car-seats.htm

[CedarCreek]

I remember when mine were babies and I would go to my sisters (about 4 hours away) I stopped at least once an hour to check on them. Diapers needed to be changed and feeding had to be done anyway.

[TwinKristi]

Well amazingly my kids have survived trips in the car seat for more than an hour several times. Comparing children living through the era of no seats or the lack of "rules" we had as kids is really pointless.
I have NEVER been told anything about this with ANY of my kids including one who isn't yet 2. I have been through all the different sleep position rec's- tummy, side, back... I have been through all the different food rec's (starting cereal early in a bottle, waiting til 4 mos, waiting til 6mos) and worked in an infant room at a childcare and we had parents bring sleeping babies in all the time.
I'm not saying this is where I would put the child to sleep on a regular basis, but if someone is asleep when they're dropped off I have never read or heard anywhere that they should be immediately removed. I have actually heard from other moms that their Ped rec'd sleeping in the car seat or swing for reflux babies and most preemies or babies under 6lbs have to pass a 1-2hr car seat test to be released from the hospital, this has been a practice for ages because of small babies having positional asphyxia.
I don't think a 7 month old is at risk for positional asphyxia, perhaps a newborn, but not an infant who can move their own head at will and fits well in the seat. Take what I say as it is... My personal experience and opinion. I have never left an infant asleep in their car seat for very long so it's not really something I do as practice anyway, but I don't think leaving a 7 month old to sleep for an hour before the other kids get there when they're right next to the provider is a big deal granted it's not against the law in your state. If this is against the law in CA they didn't do a good job telling providers about it!

[daycare]

whither its against the law or not should not be a reason to allow a baby to arrive asleep in a carseat. Law or not, it's extremely dangerous.

You have no clue if that child is alive/suffering any issues or not when they are getting dropped off. Sounds far fetched, but how do you know that the parent didn't just bang this child's head against a wall, or shake them or (fill in the blank).

ALL of us providers should be doing a routine wellness check as each child arrives every single day.

I don't take infants because for me it's just way too many risks involved.

[TwinKristi]

The APA says
"The incline of a car seat is also crucial, said Silva -- an infant car seat must be installed such that the baby sits at a 45-degree angle, which helps keep the airway open"

They also recommend stopping periodically during long car trips to check on the position and condition of the infant.

"Infant car seats are not designed to be used as cribs, or for extended amounts of time. The risk of baby's head falling forward in a way that would affect breathing is also one reason why it's important to be sure that rear-facing car seats are installed at the proper angle, according to manufacturer's instructions. Robinson suggests that parents limit infants to a couple of hours of sleep in a car seat at a time, and never overnight. Even during road trips, it's a good idea to take baby out of the car seat every couple of hours, he said. The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends that babies not be allowed to sleep longer than one hour during car rides." http://babyproducts.about.com/b/2009...-car-seats.htm

I don't think anyone (especially myself) has recommended a baby sleep for an extended period of time in the carseat. Even a typical nap may only be 2hrs but even that is acceptable in this source. This source here states it perfectly. No, you shouldn't allow your newborn to sleep in a car seat all night (if they even slept all night to begin with!) but a couple hours is okay. But considering the OP said herself it's like maybe an hour and she's 7 mos old! We're not talking about letting a newborn baby sleep in one rather than a crib but if they're asleep at drop off at that age I would allow them to sleep for a short period of time.
But as I've said numerous times, regulations are based on black and white, yes and no answers not yes IF this and no IF that. It's just yes or no because they have to err on the side of caution but we all have to use our own judgement for the individual case unless it's strictly prohibited.

[CedarCreek]

Both of my boys were preemies and had to do the car seat test. They were hooked up to monitors and I sat with them the whole time. They passed. That did not mean I wasn't freaked about checking on them on road trips. I personally am very paranoid.

My oldest had a heart monitor that went off when his heart beat got too low and I can tell you that it went off a lot when he was in his car seat. I would have to pull over and check him, jostle him a little and such.

I haven't heard it recommended for acid reflux but I myself did use a boppy with blankets over it to make a little "nest" and provide that extra angle.

[NeedaVaca]

Well amazingly my kids have survived trips in the car seat for more than an hour several times. Comparing children living through the era of no seats or the lack of "rules" we had as kids is really pointless.
I have NEVER been told anything about this with ANY of my kids including one who isn't yet 2. I have been through all the different sleep position rec's- tummy, side, back... I have been through all the different food rec's (starting cereal early in a bottle, waiting til 4 mos, waiting til 6mos) and worked in an infant room at a childcare and we had parents bring sleeping babies in all the time.
I'm not saying this is where I would put the child to sleep on a regular basis, but if someone is asleep when they're dropped off I have never read or heard anywhere that they should be immediately removed. I have actually heard from other moms that their Ped rec'd sleeping in the car seat or swing for reflux babies and most preemies or babies under 6lbs have to pass a 1-2hr car seat test to be released from the hospital, this has been a practice for ages because of small babies having positional asphyxia.
I don't think a 7 month old is at risk for positional asphyxia, perhaps a newborn, but not an infant who can move their own head at will and fits well in the seat. Take what I say as it is... My personal experience and opinion. I have never left an infant asleep in their car seat for very long so it's not really something I do as practice anyway, but I don't think leaving a 7 month old to sleep for an hour before the other kids get there when they're right next to the provider is a big deal granted it's not against the law in your state. If this is against the law in CA they didn't do a good job telling providers about it!

Absolutely a 7 month old or even older could die from this. I would never risk their safety, and I'm surprised you are being so nonchalant about this...

This is just one of MANY articles.

http://www.idph.state.ia.us/hcci/common/pdf/sleep_positioning.pdf

[KidGrind]

I have an early bird. A couple of times the mother has passed her off to me asleep. She once in a blue moon opens her eyes, smiles and then drifts back to counting sheep. Most of the time, she opens her eyes, blinks then points upstairs and says, “Up!”

Some of you have given me food for thought for the blue moon days.

[TwinKristi]

Absolutely a 7 month old or even older could die from this. I would never risk their safety, and I'm surprised you are being so nonchalant about this...

This is just one of MANY articles.

http://www.idph.state.ia.us/hcci/com...ositioning.pdf

This is my last post on this topic as obviously some of you feel very strongly about this and that's great! But in the link, there was also one OTHER thing that was in common in those situations. Children were left "unattended" when these things happened. That link also specified swings, strollers and high chairs. Does everyone not use those either? I mean I use them daily (except the swing) but I am right here with them. THAT seems to be the big factor in my opinion!

[CedarCreek]

This is my last post on this topic as obviously some of you feel very strongly about this and that's great! But in the link, there was also one OTHER thing that was in common in those situations. Children were left "unattended" when these things happened. That link also specified swings, strollers and high chairs. Does everyone not use those either? I mean I use them daily (except the swing) but I am right here with them. THAT seems to be the big factor in my opinion!

I agree that is probably the key factor.

[daycare]

This is my last post on this topic as obviously some of you feel very strongly about this and that's great! But in the link, there was also one OTHER thing that was in common in those situations. Children were left "unattended" when these things happened. That link also specified swings, strollers and high chairs. Does everyone not use those either? I mean I use them daily (except the swing) but I am right here with them. THAT seems to be the big factor in my opinion!

I hear what you are saying, but I think what needs to be looked at too, is what I had mentioned before in my previous post.

Taking in a sleeping child in any way shape or form, carseat or not, is not safe.

[sharlan]

I don't think anyone (especially myself) has recommended a baby sleep for an extended period of time in the carseat. Even a typical nap may only be 2hrs but even that is acceptable in this source. This source here states it perfectly. No, you shouldn't allow your newborn to sleep in a car seat all night (if they even slept all night to begin with!) but a couple hours is okay. But considering the OP said herself it's like maybe an hour and she's 7 mos old! We're not talking about letting a newborn baby sleep in one rather than a crib but if they're asleep at drop off at that age I would allow them to sleep for a short period of time.
But as I've said numerous times, regulations are based on black and white, yes and no answers not yes IF this and no IF that. It's just yes or no because they have to err on the side of caution but we all have to use our own judgement for the individual case unless it's strictly prohibited.

I do not know how long you have been a licensed provider in CA, but there is very little black and white, yes or no. Everything in this state is varying shades of gray and various interpretations by various analysts. What one analyst says is fine, another analyst will write you up.

[daycare]

I do not know how long you have been a licensed provider in CA, but there is very little black and white, yes or no. Everything in this state is varying shades of gray and various interpretations by various analysts. What one analyst says is fine, another analyst will write you up.

Ca provider here for 11 years and I can say Ditto on this