How to make sure on-the-go naps are safe
Let's face it: parents are busy. The constant running from school to practices, birthday parties, and Target runs makes prioritizing naps feel a bit impossible, especially when your baby is still taking four of them!
And while I can preach to you all day long about a consistent environment for sleep and trying to plan activities around naps, it is inevitable for some naps to happen outside of the home.
This is why we practice the 80/20 rule. 80% of the time, sleep should be consistent and on point, and 20% you can invite in some flexibility. So, no need to stress about being home-bound until your child drops their nap altogether! Just make sure you are practicing safe sleep when naps have to be on-the-go.
Here's how you can do that…
1. Make sure the car seat is positioned correctly.
Reports and studies have shown that car naps are not completely safe due to the risk of positional asphyxia. However, it can be very difficult to prevent your child from falling asleep during a car ride, especially for small babies or on long drives.
So if it happens, don't panic. Just make sure that your child's car seat is positioned correctly, so their head is not tilting forward when they sleep. The main reason for this is to make sure their airway is open and allowing oxygen to freely flow. Your car seat manual should also have instructions on this. Little known fact, you can actually get a free car seat inspection with an expert who will make sure your seat is installed and positioned correctly. To find an inspection place near you, visit here.
It is also important to know that you should not allow your baby to sleep in the car seat outside of a vehicle or stroller, as the angle once outside of the car or stroller will be incorrect and potentially dangerous.
2. Make sure stroller straps are fastened.
Taking a walk is a great way to get out of the house and enjoy some fresh air, but it is often a time when babies will fall asleep.
In terms of correct positioning, the same rule applies to stroller naps when using an infant car seat. You also want to make sure that the straps are always fastened when your child is in the stroller, as loose straps could cause strangulation - or your baby could fall out.
3. Use a SnoozeShade - not a blanket - to block out sunlight.
Many parents are not aware of the danger of using a blanket to cover their child's stroller or car seat as a way to block out the sun. Especially in summer months, blankets can quickly trap heat underneath, causing your child to overheat (depending on the fabric).
A better option is the SnoozeShade, which we have personally tested and give our stamp of approval, due to the air-permeability and well-thought-out fabric and design, allowing air to flow freely through your child's stroller or car seat, while still blocking out the sun. SnoozeShade blocks 97.5%+ of the sun’s UV rays, as well as keeping out insects, wind, chill, stranger’s hands, and even light rain. Doctors recommend that babies 6 months and under be kept out of direct sunlight, so SnoozeShade is a great option for sun protection, as well as blocking light to make sure that even older, more light-sensitive babies can sleep well.
If you are interested in owning a SnoozeShade, head here and use discount code MYSWEETSLEEPER for 10% off! If you are outside of the US, use this link instead.
4. Babywear for naps.
Baby-wearing is one of the safest ways to give your child a nap on-the-go, especially for infants.
Just make sure that you are positioning your child as the product instructs, and you are following weight recommendations. For smaller babies, you want to make sure that their head is supported, and again, that their airways are open.
Brands like Ergobaby have great options for all ages.
5. Hold your baby.
While it isn't the most convenient or comfortable thing to do, holding your baby might be the only way they get a nap when you're out and about.
When my daughter was a few months old, I ended up holding her almost every Sunday in church, since lugging in a stroller wasn’t usually an option.
Just make sure if you do this that you are fully alert and not on the verge of falling asleep yourself!
While naps in the crib are best, on-the-go naps are inevitable when traveling, or even just going on short errands with a newborn! Remember that flexibility is okay, but safe sleep should still be of the utmost importance.
Related articles:
The safe sleep practices that every parent needs to know
These travel tips will make your family trip run smoother
This mom took a 13 hour flight with her 9 month old baby...here’s how she did it
