Respiratory issues

It is fine to use manufacturer supplied pads and accessories that come with the Australian standard car seat, as they are tested with the car seat when it is tested for mandatory safety performance under AS/NZS 1754.

However, there have been few studies of padding, pillows and cushions (not supplied with the car seat). According to National Child Restraint Best Practice Guidelines, padding or cushions behind the head that displace the head forward could potentially expose the head outside the side structure of the restraint in a side impact; pillows that surround the child’s neck could pose a suffocation hazard; soft padding, including blankets or wraps (including infant swaddling), inside the harness is likely to introduce slack into the harness, increasing the risk of injury.

There may be occasions where prescribing the use of padding may be required. It is important to ensure that all vehicle restraint options have been considered before recommending modifying the car seat.

Some parents may ask about placing their child in the front seat so they can monitor their needs. The National Child Restraint Best Practice Guidelines do not recommend rearward facing car seats are used in front seating positions where an active front passenger airbag is installed. If a child is requiring this level of observation, suggest another adult assist to ensure the child can travel safely, and to remove the risk of driver distraction.

Currently in Australia, the only option for babies who cannot use an Australian standard car seat is to be transported by non-emergency patient transport, lying flat. MACA is working to provide access to lie flat car seats. Read more about what MACA is doing to address this gap in Australia.

In some states and territories this is legal. MACA is aware that parents may choose this option due to not having access to lie flat child restraints and often needing to wait hours for non-emergency patient transport. However, MACA does not recommend this practice as it is very unsafe. Read more about what MACA is doing to address the gap in lie flat child restraints in Australia.