Experts Explain ‘Forgotten Baby Syndrome’: It Can Happen to Any Parent

During the summer months, the “forgotten baby syndrome” often makes headlines. This tragic occurrence happens when a parent inadvertently leaves their baby in the car, for a few hours or even an entire day, without realizing it. Such forgetfulness can lead to fatal consequences due to the intense heat and dehydration the child suffers. These incidents not only cause public distress but also widespread bewilderment.

What is Forgotten Baby Syndrome?

The term “forgotten baby syndrome” refers to incidents where young children, typically infants, die from hyperthermia after being left in a car for several hours. In most cases, parents simply forget their child in the vehicle while believing they had already dropped them off at daycare or with a babysitter. Under the assumption that they had completed their drop-off, they proceed to their workplace, leaving the child inside the closed car.

Experts describe these incidents as involuntary memory lapses. Parents find themselves in an “autopilot mode, where the subconscious takes over,” explains Ilana Waserscztajn, a clinical psychologist featured on BFMTV. This state can lead to them not realizing their mistake immediately. In some instances, it has also been noted that less conscientious parents might intentionally leave their child in the car while they run errands or because the child is asleep.

What Causes Forgotten Baby Syndrome?

If “forgotten baby syndrome” frequently captures media attention, it’s because it can affect any well-meaning parent. “In most instances, these incidents involve adults whose cognitive and psychological functions are entirely intact,” state researchers from a 2020 study published in the journal Rivista di Psichiatria. According to David Diamond, a professor at the University of South Florida’s Department of Cognitive, Neural, and Social Psychology, the dominant factor is that our routine memory overrides our prospective memory (related to tasks that need to be completed). Factors like lack of sleep, stress, or excessive mental load can diminish alertness and increase reliance on routines and automatic behaviors.

The Dangers of Leaving a Baby in a Car During Summer

Babies are particularly vulnerable to heat and sun exposure during the summer. If a baby is left alone in a vehicle during this season, they face significant risks of dehydration and hyperthermia, which can be fatal. Inside a closed car, temperatures can rise dramatically. A study published in 2015 in the International Journal of Current Research noted that “temperatures can increase by up to 55% within the first five minutes and by up to 90% within 15 minutes, even if the car windows are slightly open.” Hyperthermia can cause a child to succumb to the heat within just two to three hours, as indicated by the research.

There are also significant psychological consequences to consider. According to the Consumer Safety Commission, these can manifest as acute reactions to feelings of abandonment, which may lead to anxiety attacks, recurring nightmares, or latent depression, characterized by withdrawal due to fear of the outside world or of being abandoned again.

How to Prevent Forgetting a Baby in the Car?

To reduce the risk of forgetting a baby in the backseat of a car, authorities recommend:

• Placing the baby in a rear-facing car seat in the front passenger seat, depending on their age. This makes the child more visible and less likely to be forgotten.
• Leaving personal items such as a cellphone or purse in the back to ensure you must turn around to retrieve them when exiting the car, potentially noticing the child.
• Keeping the child’s toy or diaper bag in the front seat as a reminder.
• Installing “proximity alert” devices on the child’s car seat, which activate when you move away from the car.
• Finally, making sure to get enough rest to fight off fatigue and maintain alertness.