How To Keep Your Baby Safe on the Road
Having a baby is one of the most beautiful feelings in this world. The idea of being responsible for a complete little human being is scary at first but a year into it and you figure out that the delights of it are unrivaled too!
A part of this responsibility is being mindful of their safety 24/7. Heck, the feeling can overwhelm some parents and may even make them paranoid for life. While anything in excess is toxic, sometimes it requires a person with a precautionary approach to keep things balanced.
Today, we’re talking about how to keep your little one safe as you plan a vacation or a trip to your parents. As a first-time parent, it’s only natural for the road trip to seem stressful. But, instead of letting the paranoia get the best of you, here’s everything you can do to minimize mismanagement and ensure your child’s safety. Knowing that you’re ahead in the planning and have got all loose ends covered can quickly reduce your anxiety too! Let’s get started.
Invest in a Reliable Car Seat
You need to start by looking for a reliable car seat for your baby. The first thing you should do is check if your state has any particular requirements when it comes to the size or placement of the seat. Once you’re done, see if a booster car seat will be better or if an ordinary baby car seat will be a safer and better fit for your car.
A booster baby car seat is usually a bit taller, elevating your child’s placement so you can keep a look at them from the rearview mirror inside the car.
Make Sure the Seat Is Properly Installed
Once you’ve got the right seat, you need to make sure it’s properly placed. Be mindful of your state’s laws when installing the baby car seat. The safest placement for your child is usually in the middle of the back seat. The car seat should ideally be facing the rear of the car so your little one doesn’t slip if there are any bumps or if your little one manages to get out of the belt. You must make sure the seat is properly installed and the belts are in place — always do a double-check.
Never Forget Your Baby’s Essentials
Your journey will be as comfortable as your baby’s — a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. So, make sure you’ve got the diapers, feeder, extra clothes, wipes, towel, a toy, or two, etc. packed in a bag. If it’s winter, make sure you’ve got gloves, a blanket, and a cap to keep your little one warm and cozy.
If your little one begins to cry, you’ll either have to stop and comfort them before continuing the journey or you’ll have to manage some sort of resort in advance.
Take Breaks Frequently
It’s recommended that you take a 15-minutes break every two hours when you’re on the road with an infant. It’ll allow you to change the baby’s diapers and ensure that everything is as it should be.
Avoid Long Drives if It’s Just You and the Baby
It’s always better to avoid long trips if you’ve got an infant with you. If it can’t be skipped, however, the next best option is to have enough human power with you. The ideal scenario will include both the parents and another person in the backseat. If that’s not a possibility, it’s best that one of the parents sits in the backseat with the baby.
If you’re traveling alone, we’d suggest you break your trip into smaller legs. If that isn’t viable, try and see if you can take a third person along to give you a helping hand.
The Takeaway
Traveling with a baby is stressful, and there’s no doubt about it. It gets even more worrisome if your little one is a crier. But don’t worry, just hang in there, take the precautions, and ride the wave — that’s the beauty of parenthood.