In addition to the oxygenation issues, there is a connection
between "reflux" and overeuse of car seats. I have seen mothers whose
babies spend virtually ALL their time in these plastic buckets. In the car,
in stores, even most of the day at home. I have seen people who use the car
seat while the baby is IN the crib, as to "not to disturb her" when putting
the baby to bed, after falling asleep in the seat.

Seeing as a good 55% to 80% of my clients tell me their baby has been
diagnosed with "reflux" (with usually no other symptom but normal spitting
up) I always issue the recommendation that the car seat never, or almost
never, leave the car.

Perhaps the massive increase in babies dxed with this condition is directly
linked to less time in arms and lying down, and more time scrunched down in
a plastic bucket.

I often hear "What will I do with him, if he isn't in the car seat?" (Not
refering to being IN the car.) The suggestion to hold the baby is often met
with blank stares.

Sigh.

I have seen parents, with trembling arms, holding babies at arm length,
while walking through parking lots, shopping places, and even parks.
The "wisdom" of putting a 8 lb baby into a 14 lb chunk of plastic, out of
skin contact, and calling it "convenient" escapes me. In the area where I
live, seeing a baby in arms in public is a rarity.

Perhaps we need to discuss the number of hours a day the babies in our
practice spend in car seats, both in, and more importantly, OUT of the car.

Mary Jozwiak IBCLC, RLC, LLLL, AAPL
Private Practice

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