Toddler car seat problem

[ForeverAlice]

This is kind of an off the wall question but my DD is two and on long trips ends up not sleeping very well due to sleeping with her head slumped forward in her car seat- when she was an infant I was able to use the u shaped thing that came with the infant seat.. What have you used to keep a toddler comfortable sleeping in a non recline car seat? Thanks!

 

[laura3773]

Not a suggestion, just a comment. Your toddler may not be uncomfortable with the head slumped forward. I know mine sleeps in all sorts of awkward looking positions in her crib and doesn't seem to mind at all, nor does she seem to mind sleeping in her car seat no matter what her head does.

 

[Lilliputian]

Mine just sleep with their heads slumped over. They're fine with it. Because they aren't old like we are, they don't wake up sore. There are pillows they sell that are supposed to make it easier to sleep more comfortably, but I've never bought one. I can't imagine how it would work unless the child knew he was going to sleep and wanted to because it would need to be in the right place when he fell asleep. Mine are always trying not to fall asleep and do it despite themselves.

I have a friend who's husband put velcro on a baseball cap and velcro on the back of the car seat to prevent the head slump. She said it worked great. I'm not sure it's a safe idea, though. If the shoulders moved forward in a crash and the head didn't, bad things might happen.

 

[T4K]

What seat is it? Some are notorious for head slump but it's really a combo of the seat, the child, the car, and how it's installed. I have one seat that my daughter sleeps beautifully in and one that she has total and complete head slumpage.

Good news, is it's safe.

What's not safe is add things to your car seat that aren't approved by the manufacturer since we don't know how they'll affect the seat or occupant in a crash.

 

[angelmom27]

We have a chicco nextfit and my DD stayed RFing til 3 and it reclined good enough we didnt have this problem.

 

[pixieMandy]

While nothing can go behind the head between your child and the carseat, what I found to work well on longer car trips is to use a travel pillow (the U shaped kind) and put it in front of the child under the chin. It helps to keep the head upright, but doesn't compromise the safety of the carseat. I was told this by a carseat tech, and it worked well for us. We even have Disney ones! One girl has Mickey, one has Fairies.

 

[blessedby3]

I would put her rear facing

 

[tourguide81]

Yea, it doesn't make them unsafe to have head slump (provided they're in a harnessed seat) and most kids aren't uncomfortable. But, the easiest way to solve it is to keep them rear facing as long as possible. DD2 is 2 years 7 months, 80th & 90th % for weight and heigh and is still RFing just fine, no slump.

 

[cruisingtwins]

We have a my ride which is kind of reclined while forward facing my kids sleepther comfortably.

 

[Crystal824]

My three year old does this from time to time. I just reach back and try to push her head back against the seat. I'm not sure if she is uncomfortable but it looks uncomfortable.

 

[shm_helene]

This is kind of an off the wall question but my DD is two and on long trips ends up not sleeping very well due to sleeping with her head slumped forward in her car seat- when she was an infant I was able to use the u shaped thing that came with the infant seat.. What have you used to keep a toddler comfortable sleeping in a non recline car seat? Thanks!

I found some things on Etsy that are specifically for this. I looked up "Car seat Pillow" or something like that. I never pulled the trigger so I can't vouch. They looked great though.

 

[Corey127]

Put her back rearfacing! It's more comfy for sleeping and over 500% safer. My two year old is still rearfacing.


http://csftl.org/rear-facing-car-seat-myths-busted/

 

[Corey127]

I found some things on Etsy that are specifically for this. I looked up "Car seat Pillow" or something like that. I never pulled the trigger so I can't vouch. They looked great though.

These are not safe. Adding any aftermarket products can interfere with how the seat works in a crash

 

[MSSANDRA]

I agree the best choice is to put her back rear facing. Second is get out your current seat manual and see if the seat can safely recline a bit more to give her a more comfortable ride.If neither of these is an option and long trips and car sleeping are frequent, maybe invest in another seat that will give her the safe, comfortable sleep you desire. The other suggestion is if possible,, have the extra adult, if there is one, to sit next her her while she is sleeping on long trips. They can readjust her head when necessary. Neither of my boys were great car sleepers past the infant stage.