From the Guidelines
If your baby fails a car seat test, follow your healthcare provider's recommendations, which typically involve keeping your baby in the hospital for further monitoring and possibly retesting. The car seat test is performed for premature or medically fragile infants to ensure they can safely travel in a car seat without experiencing breathing difficulties, oxygen desaturation, or heart rate changes. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines 1, rear-facing car safety seats should be used as long as possible, and forward-facing car safety seats should be used from the time they outgrow rear-facing seats for most children through at least 4 years of age.
Key Considerations
- If your baby fails, the healthcare team may recommend using a car bed instead of a traditional car seat, as this allows the baby to lie flat rather than sit semi-reclined.
- They might also suggest postponing discharge until your baby is more developmentally ready.
- During this time, continue to work with physical therapists or occupational therapists who can help position your baby properly in the car seat using approved supports like rolled blankets or towels.
- Never add aftermarket products to the car seat as these haven't been crash-tested, as emphasized by the child passenger safety guidelines 2.
Developmental Readiness
The reason some babies fail is that their underdeveloped neck muscles and respiratory systems may not be strong enough to maintain proper breathing when positioned at the angle of a car seat. Most babies will pass a retest after a few more days of growth and development. It is essential to prioritize your baby's safety and follow the guidance of your healthcare provider and child passenger safety technicians, who can provide hands-on advice and guidance on motor vehicle safety for children 2.
From the Research
Car Seat Test Failure
- There are no research papers to assist in answering this question, as the provided studies focus on the effects of acetazolamide and oxygen therapy on sleep-disordered breathing, pulmonary hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rather than car seat safety or infant development 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- The studies do not provide any information on what to do when a baby fails a car seat test, and it is essential to consult relevant and reliable sources for guidance on this topic.
- It is crucial to prioritize infant safety and follow established guidelines for car seat usage and safety checks to ensure the well-being of the child.