Safe Sleep Policy: Car Seat Use After Sleep

Applies To: All staff, caregivers, and contracted providers during any interaction with infants

Policy Statement

Ignite Families prioritizes infant safety in all environments, including transportation. While car seats are essential in vehicles, they are not a safe sleep option when outside the car. Once an infant falls asleep—outside of driving—they must be transferred immediately to a firm, approved sleep surface (e.g., crib, playpen), lying on their back.

Purpose

This policy aims to:

  • Prevent positional asphyxia caused by infants slumping in car seats outside vehicles
  • Align with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Centers for
    Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and pediatric safety experts
  • Reduce risk of Sleep-Related Infant Death, including SIDS

Key Guidelines

Limit Car Seat Use to Transit Only

  • Car seats are designed for crash protection during travel and are safe when used correctly.
  • Once the vehicle stops and the car seat is removed from its base, continued use for
    sleeping can pose immediate risks.

Transfer Sleeping Infants Promptly

  • If a baby falls asleep during transit, transfer them right away to a flat, firm sleep space like
    a crib, bassinet, or playpen.
  • Ensure the infant is placed on their back without loose bedding, pillows, or toys.

Understand the Risks

  • An infant’s head may fall forward in the car seat after it is removed from the vehicle or when reclined improperly, which can restrict breathing (positional asphyxia) and lead to suffocation.
  • Studies show that up to 63% of infant deaths in sitting devices occurred in car seats, and over half occurred inside the home, not during travel.
  • Experts strongly advise against using car seats, swings, or strollers as overnight or nap-time sleeping surfaces.
  • Importantly, 62% of infant deaths in seating devices occurred in car seats moved into the home, underscoring the danger of alternative usage.

Safe Sleep Practices Checklist

  • Use car seat only when vehicle is moving
  • Transfer sleepy babies immediately to a back-down, firm surface
  • Ensure sleep surfaces are free of pillows, blankets, or toys
  • Use firm, approved beds like cribs, bassinets, or playpens
  • Keep sleeping babies in the same room (not same bed) for the first year
  • Use reminders (alarms, sticky notes) to avoid forgetting a sleeping baby in the car seat

Training & Compliance

  • All staff and caregivers must be trained annually on this policy during onboarding and renewals.
  • Supervisors are responsible for enforcing correct sleep practices and conducting spot-checks.
  • Compliance is mandatory—not following these guidelines may result in disciplinary action.

Purpose: To minimize injuries and fatalities in motor vehicle accidents.