Do you know what is Positional Asphyxia?
Positional Asphyxia means that babies who experience positional asphyxia cannot breathe because the position of their body blocks their airway.
This can occur in several ways:
- When the mouth and nose are blocked by something covering them.
- When the passage of air from mouth and nose to lungs is blocked because a baby’s head is slumped over or a baby’s chin is pressing into the baby’s chest.
Why do we care about Positional Asphyxia?
- Reduced oxygen levels can lead to later cognitive or behavioral problems.
- Babies die quickly when they cannot breathe – it takes just a few minutes.
Who is at Risk for Positional Asphyxia and Why?
Newborns and young infants are at high risk because they cannot move themselves in order to breathe when their airway is blocked. Within this group, premature and low birth weight infants appear to be at the greatest risk for many reasons. Breathing problems, being too small for the seat and an inability to sit in the semi-upright position needed to keep breathing in the car seat are factors.
Older infants and toddlers have also died from positional asphyxia. This has happened when car seats are placed on beds and other furniture and roll over and trap the infant or toddler. Infants and toddlers left to sleep in a car seat have also died when they slump and rest their chin on their chest, restricting or stopping breathing. Infants and toddlers awake but unattended in a car seat or sling have died because their movements may block their nose and mouth, preventing breathing.
Signs of respiratory distress in babies
- Breathing increase
- Colour changes
- Muscles going in and out more than normal
- Nostrils flaring
- Head bobbing up and down as they breath
- Pursed lips as they breath out
- Although a child may look very comfortable in the car seat, the seat should only be used in the car and never for long periods of time.
- When you put your child in the seat, make sure that the restraints hold his shoulders securely against the back rest so that he/she can’t lean forward. A best booster seat head support will help your child to keep his/her normal posture and breathe properly.
- Monitor your baby closely when posing and listen for unusual noises like grunting or laboured breathing
- Check baby frequently. Baby’s head should not be kinked sideways or falling forward onto baby’s chest
What can a booster seat head support to do
Booster seat head support comes to solve a significant problem facing parents worldwide: bobbing heads – when children fall asleep sitting up in their car seat or high back booster, their heads naturally start flopping forward, making the ride uncomfortable and definitely less secure. This is a very common and irritating situation. It stops your child’s head from falling forward when they are asleep on the go, keeping their heads secure. It’s Lightweight and portable, simple to use for parents and kids. It Reduces driver distraction and gives parents peace of mind.