It’s important not to keep them in their car seat for too long anyway (Baby Routes, 2012 Baby Can Travel, 2017).ĭon’t let your baby sleep too long in their car seatĮxperts have warned not to use car seats as a general place for your baby to sleep in (The Lullaby Trust, 2016). If it’s a long journey, allow plenty of time for breaks so they can stretch their legs and get a break from the car seat. The best thing to do is schedule your drive around the time that your child would normally sleep. It’s easiest to accept that with babies or toddlers, your journey is likely to take a lot longer than it would if it were just you (Child Development Institute, 2018). Babies often prefer face-to-face time with their family than spending playing with their toys (Baby Can Travel, 2017). Someone singing or playing games can help distract a baby or toddler a little while longer.
Having one person in the back seat to comfort or entertain can make journeys easier. You could borrow some books from your library for your child to read or look at during the journey too (Child Development Institute, 2018). Don’t forget music and nursery rhyme CDs on car journeys (Which?, 2018). But toys attached to the overhead bar of the car seat or a book clipped to the seat can also help distract younger babies.įor toddlers, go for sticker books or a child-friendly tablet where they can catch a few episodes of Peppa Pig. They might be interested enough in a lorry you pass or the child waving from the car in the next lane on the motorway. If they’re having fun, most babies and toddlers will enjoy a car journey. It’s risky to take a child out of their car seat and feed en route (even if you’re sitting in the back seat). If you’re breastfeeding or bottle feeding, always pull over too. Instead, it’s safer to allow time for snacks before the journey and to pull over if you have to during the journey (Consumer Reports, 2018). Second, the risk of accidents happening if you’re craning round to offer your child a snack (Consumer Reports, 2018). First, the risk of choking and being able to deal with it quickly (Consumer Reports, 2018). The general advice is to avoid giving your child snacks on a journey for two main reasons. While having some snacks to chomp on can be a handy distraction for a toddler on a car journey, choking is a concern (Consumer Reports, 2018). Should I let my child have snacks in the car? In case you get stuck in traffic, make sure you’ve got snacks and drinks for yourself (Telegraph 2008 Child Development Institute 2018). These window shades can protect from lights at night time as well (Child Development Institute, 2003). If it’s going to be sunny, bring shades for the window.
This could include any prescription medicines that your baby might need, plasters or travel sickness pills (Parents, 2012). It can be handy to keep some first aid essentials too. You’ll be ready to pass one over every time they (inevitably) drop them on the floor (Baby routes, 2012). If your baby likes a dummy, keep some spare in the front of the car. You can then make sure you have whatever you need for the journey. If your child suffers from travel sickness, talk to your GP or pharmacist about suggestions.
#Long road trip tips full#
For full instructions, head to the government’s website (GOV.UK 2018). If you’re hiring a car seat, make sure that it fits all of the same criteria. Apart from being safe, this will also ensure your baby is comfortable enough in their car seat (Parents, 2012). Your child’s straps should be pulled tight so you can only fit one finger’s width between the strap and their body. Follow all the safety instructions and make sure it’s right for your child’s height and weight. Most shops will make sure your car seat is properly fitted when you buy it.
Before you go anywhere in a car with your baby, the car seat needs to be fitted correctly.
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