Protecting our precious children is the ultimate responsibility of every parent.  All children need a car seat of some sort to keep them safe while traveling by car, and the appropriate restraint system is determined by their height, weight, and development.  Some children who are recovering from a procedure/operation, or who have certain medical conditions such as apnea, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or premature infants require special consideration when selecting a specialized restraint system. One that will address each child's specific needs while providing optimum protection. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies born earlier than 37 weeks have a car seat test conducted by hospital staff, with this testing done as well for babies with special needs who cannot sit in the semi-reclined position that a traditional rear-facing car seat requires.  If your hospital tells you that your baby needs a car bed, it is due to concerns about your baby's breathing, heart rate, and/or positioning needs due to recent procedures or connected living aids like a home monitor or IV. Car beds allow children to fully recline while traveling without compromising their safety or aggravating their medical conditions.  Car beds are placed in the backseat with your baby's head in the center of the vehicle. 

  

The Hope Car Bed is specifically designed for the best transport possible of special needs infants up to 35 pounds, and is currently the most adaptive car bed available to the public. It can be used for a single child or hospital use as it offers five different restraint/positioning options to fulfill all requirements as the children's needs change.The different restraining options include the supine position-laying on their back, the prone position- laying on their stomach, or the side-facing position with several cummerbund, restraint bag, and 3 point harness variations.  The hospital staff will determine the safest position and type of restraint to be used depending on your child's current needs, and your pediatrician will reevaluate as necessary thereafter.

The Hope Car Bed  is also the largest car bed available, maximizing superior comfort and safety and includes many standard features like the 3-point harness, neck pads and head protection, small restraint bag, adjustable cummerbund, and a medical tube guide to ensure that any connections stay securely attached to the child.  Made of durable plastic, the Hope Car Bed weighs only 22 pounds and installs within minutes, making it ideal even if changing cars frequently is necessary.  It additionally offers a special restraint bag option for a child with an omphalocele, and is also available in an adapted version for babies in hip casts.

While the Hope Car Bed is by far the best restraint system for special needs babies, taking other safety precautions will help you fully protect that precious cargo.  Make sure to secure any breathing monitor or other portable medical equipment properly to prevent it from moving if a crash should occur, and limit the length of car rides.  If your baby has a monitor, have enough battery power for at least twice the expected length of your travel.  Wedge anything in the backseat under the seat, or better yet, in the trunk.  With the Hope Car Bed, you can drive with peace of mind, knowing that your child is secured, safe and comfortable.

Alyssa Aldana,
Medical Consumer Writer
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO