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Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Do I need a special car seat for my preemie? What should I look for when buying one?

Re: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie? What should I look for when buying one?

You’ll definitely need a car seat that is the right size for your baby, and since many premature babies weigh less than 5 lbs when they go home -- and not every car seat is approved for a baby that small -- you may have to do some research. Preemies are often not as long as full-term babies when they are ready to go home, so the shoulder harness must be adjustable so nothing larger than a finger can slip between your baby and the straps when buckled. In addition, many preemies have less muscle tone, so it is easy for their head to flop to one side or the other while sitting in the car seat, kinking off the airway and potentially causing a drop in oxygen level. Because of this risk, regardless of weight or size, every preemie should have a car seat challenge before going home. This entails close monitoring of the oxygen level and heart rate for 90 minutes in the car seat.

Need a little more guidance? A chart of car seats with weight and harness specifics can be found at PreemiePrimer.com.

Dr. Jennifer Gunter | November 07 , 2010 1:06 PM

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

My son was not premature--I did however have IUGR and as a result, he was born at 4lbs full-term. The hospital really wanted us to keep him there until he hit a larger weight but developmentally he was fine and the hospital pediatrician (reluctantly) cleared us to go home providing we had adequate follow-up care from our pediatrician. We thought all was good to go...until he failed the car seat test. It wasn't even something we were prepared for. We have pictures of just how tiny he looked in the regular infant car seat--that's when it hit me as to how small he truly was. In order to leave the hospital they required he be in a car seat which met the safety standards (for good reasons obviously). They weren't a lot of help but did recommend a few online-only special order car seats which of course meant more hospital time and expense. Finally one of the maternity nurses recommended the Key Fit from Graco. It fit the weight specifications and we could find it local at Babies R Us. It was still an expense we weren't prepared for but he passed the car seat test in it and he's still using it nearly 10 months later.

pandaluvr | November 08 , 2010 11:28 PM

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

We bought the Chicco KeyFit - it's rated down to 4 lbs. I loved it! He ended up being 5 lbs when he came home, but I still felt good that it was safe for such a teeny little guy :)

hautesinglemama | November 10 , 2010 1:42 AM

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

You can get a regular infant car seat, and then you can get the support things to keep her in a good position. They aren't that expensive.

Delilahquinn | August 04 , 2011 7:13 AM

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

I work in an NICU and we don't allow parents to use "head huggers" or other such support devices. Even the ones that come with head support we ask parents to remove. These are suffocation risks for newborns and small infants as they can turn their head and the face and nose can be covered. All our infants (preemies and term babies) are placed in car seats with rolled recieving blankets one either side of their bodies and going behind their shoulders. The blankets keep the babies in an upright position and allow them to turn their heads without being in the way of breathing. If you kow you are bringing home a small baby (or even shopping beforehand) find one with three shoulder adjusment openings, and two crotch openings. These are the most adjustable. Newer infant seats are generally smaller than ones you will get as hand-me-downs but not always. Hope this helps.

2bsmc | August 04 , 2011 8:42 PM

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

We have a Chico Keyfit, part of their Cortina travel system. It can be used with babies as little as 4 pounds. Our son was born at 3 pounds & went home using that carseat at exactly 4 pounds. The carseat specialist said it was an excellent seat to use. You may also have the option to rent a special carseat from the hospital if you can't find one small enough.

courta1979 | August 04 , 2011 9:23 PM

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

i think as long as the car seat is up to date and not out of date,and the straps work great to where u can adjust them to the babys size then every thing should be fine for a lil one

ruthie83 | August 06 , 2011 10:27 AM

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

My preemie left the hospital at 4lbs and we needed the preemie car seat to leave with him. Many hospitals WILL NOT let you leave with your preemie if the car seat isn't rated for the preemies size. Standard car seats start at 5lbs and up. Preemie car seats are typically rated for those under 5lbs. Standard car seats don't typically fit a preemie well at all no matter how much you adjust the straps or how much padding or extra rolled blankets that you put in there. Its much safer to buy or rent the appropriate car seat. Amazon and Babys R Us are great places to check for preemie car seats. If you buy the preemie car seat then you can always return when the baby reaches 5lbs and can safely fit in a standard car seat.

bosjack | August 12 , 2011 11:41 AM

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

There must be some special car seats for such cases. One thing you can do is find people who donate car accessories like cup holders or even baby seats. Choose which one you think would be smaller than the seats you already found in stores. Perhaps you'll have some luck and find the perfect seat. There are many mommies dealing with the same problem. Some must still have the chairs they used in their cars.

alliepatchell | August 15 , 2011 7:43 AM

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

When a baby comes so do the necessary expenses. I had to give up my sports car and get a bigger one, an Airstream RV because I needed a lot more space for all the accessories a baby needs when traveling. Car seats for babies are a must have, you will have to decide on the model or if you want them pointing forward or backwards.

AidanWystan | September 19 , 2011 7:30 AM

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Babies need special car seats and there are dozens of models to chose from. I was amazed to see that when I rented a car from Fox car rental, they were able to provide a baby car seat for my car. This shows that they really do care about my and my baby's safety and they provide a quality service.

JonahClint | September 19 , 2011 7:49 AM

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

There are these seats, also called "flat car seats," for premature or other special-needs babies, they fit easily in most cars from city cars to class b motorhomes. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a health care provider look at how your preterm baby fits and breathes in a car seat before leaving the hospital. Remember, the best child safety seat is the one that fits your child properly, is easy to use and fits in your vehicle correctly.

kci15 | September 26 , 2011 7:18 AM

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Go to mama babay care on st louis street, you'll find what you are looking for. I bought one from tehre and its really a very good product. university diploma | diploma high school | Online Design degree | Engineering degree | health science degree

PeterMark | September 29 , 2011 2:33 AM

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Chicco KeyFit is excellent. There are also "car-beds" made to transport ONLY from hospital to home, not for use as a regular carseat. Also, any aftermarket products (any head supports, strap covers, etc. NOT sold with by the car seat manufacturer) void the warranty, because they inhibit the car seat to work properly in the event of a crash.... Meaning they could die because of a pretty pillow

MrsAdorkable | October 19 , 2011 7:26 PM

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

You could talk to the guy from www.partsgeek.com. I'm pretty sure that they can offer professional advice about this matter. They do know a lot about cars and how to fix them. Car seats are probably not a problem for them.

RichieRich1984 | January 16 , 2012 2:16 AM

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

I have no idea what you should do, but I do know one thing for sure: check with your car insurance company to see if the car seat you use is approved. There are certain regulations that need to be respected. Hope you understand my point of view.

RichieRich1984 | January 16 , 2012 3:00 AM

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

My preemie came home at 3 pounds 11 ounces and we were able to use our regular car seat with her. It came with the inserts that kinda cradle the baby and was just slightly too big for her. We used 2 rolled up receiving blankets to adjust her and she was perfect for the ride home and thereafter. She's now 6 months and 13 pounds and riding in her car seat without any inserts.

maybride@live.com | January 30 , 2012 4:30 PM

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

I think you better go to a specilized man who knows these kind of things.And if you go you should also get a smog check.I have a friend who had some problemes because he didn't check his car and the smoke was getting in the car.

Lokololo | February 08 , 2012 9:03 AM

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

You can check with the Plymouth MA Honda dealers because I bet they know a lot of things about your problem and they could help you resolve it faster.

Markuan1 | April 12 , 2012 3:57 AM

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Yes you do need a special car seat because he won't fit the normal one. I have a friend who works at a auto firm doing automobile lift or something like that and I bet he knows many things about your problem.I will ask him about this problem of yours and I will get back to you with more information.

Markuan1 | April 13 , 2012 6:08 AM

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

I just wanted to rec'd the Safety 1st brand. I didn't have a premie but I purchased a car seat that is approved for 4lbs + and I love it. Safety 1st has a few options and the Dr's and Nurses at the hosp we delivered at loved it and kept asking who made it/ where I got it. I got it at target for $189.00 which isn't bad at all.

lilpucknut08 | April 15 , 2012 2:01 PM

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you asked...

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Re: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie? What should I look for when buying one?

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

Q&A: Do I need a special car seat for my preemie?

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