Sleeping in the car seat...

Hi ladies,
This past week my boys have been sleeping in their car seats at night, b/c they sleep sooo much better in them, but last night I started to worry that their heads might get misshapened. Am I making a mistake in letting them sleep in their car seats?

 

I always strated out in the crib, then we transitioned to teh cradle swing, which was shaped just like a carseat, when they woke up in the middle of the night. Seven months later, they are now sleeping through the night in their cribs, and thier heads are beautiful. I did read the sleeping in the upright position puts stress on their respiratory system, but our Dr. said it was fine b/c they had such terrible ruflux. IMO there's nothing wrong with it.

 

No, I don't think it's a mistake. I know lots of moms who did the same thing. For right now I would just do whatever works!

 

Mine slept in swings and bouncies a LOT - really up until 7 months. No head issues. I wish I had a reference, but I think I've actually read that carseats or swings are better for their heads because they put less pressure on the back of their head.

 

Mine slept in their carseats and swings alot due to reflux. I just made sure that they had lots of tummy time and I would kind of lean them to one side when placing them in the seats and swings. And then after the next feeding I would turn them to the other side.

 

My boys slept in their car seats until 4-5 months.

One of my sons had torticollis and a little bit of a flat head. We had to take him to get measured for a helmet at 4 months. Although he did not end up needing a helmet, the Dr said I had to get him sleeping in a crib to help.

I see your babies are only 1 month. If I was in your situation even knowing what I know now, at that time, I would still have them sleep in their car seats. You are in survival mode and need to do what gets everyone sleep. As long as you are aware, make a special effort to give lots of tummy time.

My other son has a perfectly round head. I know it was the tort that led him to the flat head rather than the car seat.

 

Mine slept in carseats for a months at 1-2 months and I just made sure that their hears faced different direction each time. Also make sure they are not too squished in the seat and try to straighten them out a bit so their tummy would not be under pressure once they eat and go to sleep.

 

In those early months I would do whatever works. I don't think they are any more likely to get misshapen heads from the carseat than from sleeping on their backs in the crib.

 

Thanks everyone!! It's hard for me to think straight these days, so I apprecitate the advice

 

The only thing I would add.... Can you put the car seats in their baby room? Maybe even in their cribs? Just so they get use to the noise and smells of that room while they are sleeping ( I had to do something kinda like this with Lia). It can make the transition easier, IMO. And it teaches them what is their sleeping environment.

 

My DD had bad reflux and slept off and on in her car seat. I also put her car seat in her crib...it looked a little funny (MIL was surprised). But you do what ever works for the next few months! Car seats, swings, bouncy chairs...