When you have a new baby, everything changes. One of the adjustments that people don’t always think about is how to safely transport your little one in the car. It can be daunting to drive with a newborn baby, but with the right equipment and a few precautions, you can get through it without any problems. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best ways to drive safely with a newborn baby in the car.
Get The Right Car Seat
One of the most important things you can do to ensure your baby’s safety while in the car is to make sure they are properly restrained. This means using a car seat that is appropriate for their age and size. A good quality car seat is one of the must own items for baby and it should be a top priority when you are preparing for their arrival. Make sure that you do extensive research so you can find a reliable model that will keep your baby safe.
Once you have your car seat, it’s important to register it right away. This will ensure that you will be notified in the event of a recall. You also need to check the expiry date on the car seat. People sometimes ignore this as they don’t think that it really matters. However, once the car seat has expired, the materials may have degraded so they are no longer safe. It’s also likely that new models with better technology have been released, so the old car seat no longer offers the best protection available.
When installing your car seat, it’s crucial that you get it checked to make sure that you have done it properly. Many police forces, fire services, and car seat manufacturers offer this service for free. You can also find a certified technician to do the installation for you. Sometimes they can be tricky to fit, so if you are unsure, it’s best to be on the safe side and call in some help.
Make Sure They Are Strapped In Properly
Once you have the car seat in place, it’s crucial to make sure that your baby is strapped in properly. This means tightening all of the straps and making sure that they are snug against the child’s body. If the straps are too loose, your baby could be thrown out of the car seat.
It’s also important to make sure that the car seat isn’t too big or too small for your child. If it’s too big, they could be thrown around in the seat during a collision. If it’s too small, their body won’t be fully protected in the event of an accident. Before you set off, always double-check that they are properly strapped in.
Keep Them Rear Facing
Until they are at least two years old, it’s safest to keep your baby in a rear-facing car seat. This position offers the most protection in the event of a collision. The head and neck are better protected if they are facing backward rather than forwards.
Don’t Give Them Toys or Food
It can be tempting to give your baby a toy or something to eat while you’re driving, but it’s best not to. This is because they could become distracted and not focus on what’s happening around them. This increases the risk of an accident happening.
Install A Back Seat Mirror
If you have somebody else in the car, it’s a good idea to have them in the back seat so they can keep an eye on the baby. But what about when it’s just you and the baby in the car? Back seat mirrors are a must if you are driving with your baby alone. When they are in the back seat and you are driving, you need to be able to see them at all times. If they suddenly start making a lot of noise or stop making noise altogether, you can see what is going on.
These mirrors are cheap to buy and simple to install, but they allow you to keep your baby safe and monitor them at all times.
Drive Defensively
When you are driving with a newborn baby, it is important to drive defensively. This means being aware of your surroundings at all times and taking precautions to avoid accidents. Here are a few tips for defensive driving:
-Stay alert and avoid distractions
-Leave plenty of room between your car and the one in front of you
-Be aware of road conditions and hazards
-Use turn signals to indicate your intentions
-Watch for pedestrians and cyclists
By following these defensive driving tips at all times, you can drastically reduce the chances of having an accident with your baby in the car. However, you can never predict what other drivers on the road will do, so you must be prepared for an accident if it does happen.
What To Do If You Have An Accident
If you have an accident with your baby in the car, it’s important to know what to do. Here are the steps you should take:
-Check that everyone in the car is okay.
-Call the emergency services if there is any injury, even if it seems minor. Do not move your baby until the first responders arrive or you may exacerbate injuries like back problems.
-If the car is drivable, move it out of traffic and turn on the hazard lights, but do this carefully. If you have cones, put these around the car too.
-Stay at the scene until the emergency services arrive.
-Give the police officer your full details, including insurance information.
-If there is damage to another vehicle or property, make a note of the other driver’s details and contact your insurance company.
By following these steps, you can ensure that everyone involved in the accident is taken care of and that the proper authorities are notified. But most importantly, you can make sure that your baby is safe until help arrives. Hopefully, if you are using a good quality car seat and it is fitted properly, everything should be fine.
Keeping your baby safe in the car is so important, so make sure that you follow these tips.
