Things to keep in mind when you have a baby in the car
Babies love their comfort zone and the moment they are out of this zone, they start getting fretful and cranky.
That is exactly what happens when you put cute Wendy and adorable Howard into baby seats in the car. Suddenly, you have Wailing Wendy and Howling Howard on your hands and you don’t know what to do about it. Hence, before you decide to put your baby into the car and zoom off, it is important you plan and organise things, regardless of how long the drive is.
There are a few things that parents can do to keep their baby happy and safe in the back seat while they drive without getting anxious and stressed out. Some of these things include:
1. Planning the Trip
Regardless of how long or short the car trip is, it is necessary, you turn into a proactive parent and plan for any eventuality you may face with your baby. This means coming up with a comprehensive checklist and ensuring you have all the items mentioned in the list. Some of the things that you should always have in your car if you intend taking your baby along are as follows:
- Safe and comfortable baby seat
- Window shades to keep sunlight away from your baby’s delicate eyes and skin
- Sun hats and sunblock
- Some extra clothes
- Cooler with cool drinks
- Sippy cup
- Bottle warmer
- Soft toys that your baby loves
- Hand sanitiser
- Baby-friendly music CDs
- Books for your baby
- Seatbelt Cutter (In case of emergency — but mainly just for your own peace of mind)
Make sure these items are easily accessible so that you don’t create an unholy mess at the side of the road!
For longer trips, prepare for regular stops before hand as per your baby’s sleep and food cycle. This will not disturb the baby’s regular routine and you can drive with a sense of peace.
2. Your Backseat Needs More Colours
Babies love to be in familiar surroundings. So, the best way to transform your car into a baby-ready vehicle is to make a few minor changes in your vehicle.
Depending on where you intend to place the baby seat, stick vibrantly colored pictures of toys and your baby’s favourite cartoon characters on the back of the seat that your baby will be facing. Use tape to stick the pictures, so that the upholstery does not get damaged.
Use colourful ribbons and safety pins and hang lightweight, soft toys from the ceiling of your car. As the car moves, these soft toys will sway and keep your baby entertained. Just make sure that they don’t block your line of vision while driving.
Check online for seat distracters. Sunny Arch is a wonderful seat distracter that you can attach to the car seat next to your baby. It is filled with things that your baby can look at or play with, keeping her busier rather than crying and bringing the roof down. It will also help you focus on driving safely rather than worrying about your little one.
Load your tablet and smart phone with fun, but educational apps. Of course, you will need a tablet and smart phone holder so that you can start the app to keep your baby stays busy for at least some time. Look for holders that you can attach to the back of the seat that your baby will be facing.
3. Place Baskets, Totes and Bags in an Organised Manner
With a baby, you will always be carrying around a lot of things. Hence, it is important you learn to get organised so that your life gets easier.
Install a back seat organiser to hold your baby’s toys, baby wipes and diapers. Make sure your baby can get access to the toys with ease. This will keep her busy while you concentrate on the road.
Also, get fabric boxes that you can place on the floor and fill them with dolls, plastic toys, non-chocolate snacks and books. This way, you can stop at the side of the road and get them out with ease without creating a big mess or getting frustrated that you cannot find the things you need.
4. Don’t Forget The Technical Stuff
Before you decide to put your baby in the baby seat, make sure your car is ready for the trip. This means filling gas, checking the pressure in the tires, cleaning the seats, vacuuming, cleaning the insides and checking the oil.
Also, make sure your car is working properly. So, get the side lights, brakes, hazard lights and windshield wipers checked. If there is a problem, get it fixed. Also, ensure the radiator is filled with coolant, as the last thing you want is your car overheating and stalling with a baby inside it!
Make sure the heating and cooling system is functioning properly so that you can maintain a comfortable temperature inside the vehicle for your baby. Since your baby will be sitting alone (assuming this is the case) in the back seat, ensure the child lock is functioning. It will give you peace of mind while driving, especially if you have a hyperactive and adventurous baby.
5. Keep Your Car Clean
It can be tough to keep your vehicle clean with a baby. However, this should not stop you. So, always carry trash bags in the car so that you have a dedicated place for snack wrappers, soiled diapers and dirty wipes and tissues.
Make sure that any milk you are carrying for the baby is in a spill-proof bottles and containers so that milk cannot leak out. Otherwise, you will find it difficult to drive with that odour permeating throughout your vehicle. Also, ensure that any trash is carefully tied up securely so that you are not overpowered by the foul odour of soiled diapers.
The Bottom Line
Being a parent is all about making sure that your baby and you are always safe. So, when you intend to take your baby with you in the car, drive responsibly and follow all the traffic rules. Above all, before you start the vehicle, make sure your baby is comfortable and secure in the baby seat to make the ride enjoyable for both of you.
