Most babies have already taken their first car journey in their first few days of life - namely from the Maternity clinic home. However, this was usually a manageable distance. It's a different story when the grandparents have to meet their first grandchild but live 300 kilometres away. With the following tips, you can ensure that travelling by car with a baby is as pleasant as possible. And above all, safe!
Timing and journey time when driving with a baby
As a general rule, you should avoid longer car journeys with your child in the first three months of life. It is better to postpone all journeys that last longer than two hours. This is because the baby's spine is still very sensitive and is strained by the half-sitting position in the car seat. In addition, the child's chest is always slightly compressed in this position, which can have a negative effect on their breathing. (Incidentally, the same applies if you attach your baby's car seat to a mobile frame and use it to push your child for long periods of time. I can only advise against this).
Relatively new on the market is the so-called carrycot for the car, which is suitable for children weighing up to 10 kilograms. It is attached to the rear seat at right angles to the direction of travel. The baby can travel in it lying completely horizontally in the car. This relieves pressure on the little one's back. Car seats have performed well in tests - but are significantly more expensive than car seats.
Always against the direction of travel
Always transport your child in the car in an infant car seat or carrycot. These must be approved in accordance with UN ECE Reg. 44 or new 129. If you want to buy a used car seat or car seat for your child privately, it is best to buy it from trustworthy people you know. This is because you must be sure that the shell or seat has not actually been involved in an accident.
For safety reasons, babies always travel in the car against the direction of travel. There is a good reason for this: if you have to brake sharply or even have a head-on collision, these forces would throw your child forwards in a jerk if they were travelling in the direction of travel. The little body would be secured by the belt - but not the head. In such a case, it would fly forwards and back again, which would put extreme strain on the sensitive neck and could lead to life-threatening injuries to the cervical spine. However, when braking sharply or in the event of a collision, the child is pressed into the seat against the direction of travel. This reduces the risk of injury. This has been impressively proven by crash tests and accident analyses.
If the infant car seat is approved according to UN ECE Reg. 129, your child will travel in the car facing the opposite direction of travel until it is 15 months old. In infant car seats that are approved in accordance with UN ECE Reg. 44, your child will sit rear-facing in the car until it weighs 13 kilos. The ADAC advises that small children who have outgrown their infant car seat should continue to be transported in the car facing the opposite direction of travel until they are at least two years old. There are special car seats for this, known as reboarders. However, they must be secured in the car exactly as instructed.
The safest place when driving with a baby
The rear seat is generally safer for your child than the front passenger seat. The ADAC therefore recommends always securing the infant carrier or child seat in the rear seat. The best place is on the right-hand side of the pavement at the rear, so that you can get the car seat in and out safely. (And your child will also be able to get in and out of the car most safely on the right-hand side). If two adults are travelling in the car, one should sit in the back seat next to the baby to be on hand if necessary.
However, some parents find it more practical to carry the baby car seat in the car on the passenger seat next to them. Especially if they are travelling alone with their child. Then they can quickly deal with the baby while driving or at a red light to calm it down or "entertain" it a little. But this is exactly how you as a driver become too distracted! And before you know it, the accident has happened! Relevant surveys prove it: Anyone who takes their eyes off the road for even three seconds while driving covers many metres in complete "blind flight".
The following also applies: Children may only be carried in the front passenger seat facing in the opposite direction of travel if the airbag is switched off. Otherwise, the airbag could endanger the child's life if it deploys. If the airbag cannot be switched off, this seat cannot be used anyway.
When the baby cries
All mums and dads who are travelling alone in the car with their baby are probably familiar with the following situation: for some reason, the little one is unhappy and cries. And you break out in a sweat and want to look after the child immediately. Please resist this urge at all costs! Regardless of whether it is travelling in the front passenger seat or the back seat: Keep driving focussed, looking ahead, until you have found a safe opportunity to stop. Only then should you calm the child down. As important as it is to react promptly to your child's crying: It is even more important that you do not cause an accident while driving! Safety must always be the top priority in road traffic. This applies to your safety and ultimately also to the safety of other road users.
I know of some parents who have fitted a special car mirror to the back of the rear seat so that they can see better from the front how the baby is doing in the back. But even with this suggestion, caution is advised - because the constant driver's gaze in this mirror can also be very distracting.
On the road in the car
For longer journeys, a little planning in advance will help you to make the journey more pleasant for both of you. For example, if possible, you can time the journey to coincide with your baby's sleep phase. A tired child usually falls asleep quickly in the car. After two hours at the latest, however, it's time for a break. This is when baby's back needs a break from the bent position in the car seat. Movement is good for him now. You can encourage your baby to kick or crawl around on a blanket. The break is also a good opportunity to breastfeed your baby or offer them something to eat and drink.
For safety reasons, I would advise against giving your baby something to eat during the journey, such as a rice cake, especially if you are travelling alone in the car with your child. It may keep them occupied for a while, but if they choke, you won't be able to intervene quickly enough and may jeopardise your safety.
On longer journeys, it is also better to avoid thick jackets for your baby. This will not only make it safer to buckle your little one in, but will also prevent them from sweating so quickly. I like to recommend a small blanket to cover your baby if you find it too cold in the car. It is also easier to remove if your little one gets too warm. It's always easier than peeling your child out of a padded snowsuit.
Also make sure you have sun protection on the window on your child's side of the journey.
A little tip: Many babies love to play with an activity trapeze or similar gripping toy on the carrycot while travelling. This keeps them occupied.
Never leave the car alone
Regardless of where you are travelling with your baby in the car: NEVER leave them unattended in the car. Not even for the briefest of moments! Because you never know what unforeseen circumstances could suddenly arise that could put your child in danger.
