Sleep-Related Car Seat Deaths Occur Most Often Outside of Travel

By Amy Orciari Herman

Edited by Susan Sadoughi, MD, and André Sofair, MD, MPH

Most sleep-related infant deaths that occur in car seats and strollers occur when the devices are not being used for travel, a Pediatrics study finds.

U.S. researchers studied nearly 12,000 sleep-related infant deaths that occurred from 2004 through 2014. Of these, 348 occurred in sitting devices — most often car seats, but also bouncers, swings, and strollers. Over half of deaths in car seats and nearly three-quarters in strollers occurred in the child's home. Such sitting deaths were more likely to occur under supervision of a babysitter or other child care provider than a parent.

The researchers conclude, "Our findings underline the significance of educating caregivers about the importance of using sitting devices only for their intended purpose. ... Sitting devices are not an acceptable substitute for a crib or bassinet. Using [car seats] for sleep in nontraveling contexts may pose a risk to the infant."