Does your toddler sit in the toddler car seat during long journeys?

Jessi - posted on 07/13/2011

i would think that most children dont think to question it, since they are in a seat since birth. its definitely a law here, and the fact is that a seatbelt will not protect your little one the right way in an accident. im sure there are articles you can read related to this.long rides are tough, make sure to bring drinks and snacks and other things to distract them like kelly said. expect whining, it wont last forever, and you'll be doing the right thing by keeping your little one safe. :)



ALSO--- id like to add that last year i was in a serious accident, broke both my legs, one arm and both feet in multiple places. my son was in the car... in the middle back seat in the forward facing seat with the harness on just like hes supposed to. a regular seatbelt would have killed him. i cant stress it enough!!!!!! keep your little one in the seat until their bodies are able to handle the impact without the support of a seat.

Alison - posted on 01/19/2010

We have to travel with our girls several times a year and our 3-1/2-year-old is finally getting used to it. Before that stage, it is always challenging. There is a point in almost every trip when one of the girls (or both) is fed up and we just have to pull over and take a break.

My girls are very active and strong-willed. I know some children travel better than ours.

Lajuane - posted on 01/19/2010

i live in england and here they are really strict about it.my son hated his seat,especially when i was breast feedind.i got a toy,more like a mirror to strap onto the back of the seat and it kept him entertained for most of the time.

Jen - posted on 01/17/2010

We regularly take our daughter on drives of about three hours, and she's gone on longer trips up to about 10 hours. I recommend starting out after the baby is relaxed and ready for a nap; our daughter likes to look out the window, and won't sleep if it's not nap-time. We also bring a lot of toys, music, blankets and books, and one of us sits in the back and entertains her if she gets a little cranky. You still definitely need to stop every few hours at least, even if it's just to look around, walk or play on the grass. Bring snacks that your baby likes, and just be patient. As someone else mentioned, if the screaming gets to you, take a break for your own sanity. :) Good luck with your trip!

Lauren - posted on 01/17/2010

If travelling for more than 5 hours, I allow my child to stay up very late , the night before, so he will sleep more. Have enough food and water. Have some soothing music if possible, or sing songs, if you have no radio. Toys, but not too many-just enough for the child to reach on his or her own. Bathroom stops are good, to walk around, stretch and hug the child. If my son gets antsy and screams, I do my best to ignore it...it stops eventually. If you do not feel safe driving with screaming, then take a break. Good luck!

Kimberly - posted on 01/17/2010

kid are smarter then we think. i have told my son about dangers since he was little, he is 5 years old now. just keep it as simple as you can use toys to help them understand. we have taken trips since he was 6 months old that would take 2 nites and 3 days. when i stop to get gas thats when we go potty change diaper and let him play for 30min to 1 hr and he does very well.

Erin - posted on 01/17/2010

How about the fact that you're the parent and you make the rules? One year old isn't quite old enough to explain safety, but just assuring them that its because you love them should be enough until you can explain more.

FARHANA - posted on 01/17/2010

My kidz were trained from babies with the car seat. Now dey know dat as soon as dey get in, the car will not move once the seatbelts r on. I tink we all had days wen dey didnt want to sit in their seat. I normally carried der fav CD (rhymes, songs, etc). I also used to keep the car seat @ home & we used to play dat we were in the car and dey had to sit in it. I agree wid such a long trip, stopping a couple of times will help. All da best, Im sure everything will work out fine. Keep well!

Florencia - posted on 01/16/2010

I know that with a trip that long my girls fall asleep. He'll probably end up sleeping most of the way so you really won't have too much to worry about. Maybe bring a small pillow or a few blankets for him. Food and drinks will occupy him for a short time but I'm sure you will need to change his diaper and allow him to stretch a bit which I'm sure you will want to use the restroom and stretch yourselves. He might just enjoy the outside scenery and if not having some toys to play with will keep him occupied. Bring extra clothes just in case he gets messy with food or drinks or he may have an accident through his diaper on such a long trip or get really sweaty from being snuggled tightly in a car seat. Good luck on your trip, I'm sure you won't have any problems though.

Sylvia - posted on 01/16/2010

5 hours is pretty long for anybody to sit in a car, never mind a one-year-old ;). Try and take at least 2 rest breaks where everyone can get out of the car and walk around, use the washroom/change the diaper, and/or have a snack. If the drive actually takes 5 hours, allow 6-7 hours to reach your destination so that you won't feel rushed and cranky, since the baby will pick up on that and be more cranky in turn ;)

Make sure you have snacks and drinks for when he gets hungry -- maybe a little of something you don't always let him have, just as a special treat (I did this when I took my toddler daughter on long aeroplane flights, to help make the trip more exciting).

And pack a bag full of little toys that he's never played with before -- new ones, or borrowed ones -- they don't have to be fancy or expensive, just new to him :) don't bring them out all at once, bring them out one at a time (that is, bring out a new one when he gets bored with the last one).

Does your car have a radio, a tape player, or a CD player? If so, you can play music he likes for part of the journey, and maybe some quiet sleepy music if that will help him take a nap for part of the trip.

If you and your husband are able to take turns driving, then you can also take turns sitting in the back seat with the baby so he doesn't feel all alone back there. Especially if he's still rear-facing (my DD has always been small for her age, and she was rear-facing until 28 months because that's how long it took her to get past 20 lb!), that will help a lot.

Good luck! :)

Jennifer - posted on 01/15/2010

it is law here, they have to be 8 years old and 80 lbs to not be in a "booster" seat in Ohio. not sure how you would train them to sit in it. Mine have been in a seat since birth and just never questioned it. i guess just keep with it. If he is old enough try to explain to him it keeps him safe...

Stacey - posted on 01/15/2010

just make him sit in it thats what we have to do with my daughter when she does not want to sit in it.

Kelly - posted on 01/14/2010

If the trip is for 5hrs then if you can have a break and stop that might help also... Try allowing yourself for stops so then if you need to take them you can. You know your child more then anyone so if you think a walk around will help then try that.

Toys and food should help though - try planing it so you knwo he will sleep for a few hours in the car if you can. makes it easier too

Salmi - posted on 01/14/2010

i see!! thanx a lot for the tips, i'll try bring the toys and food / drinks like you said. it's quite different here in Malaysia coz people dont train their child to use the seat, luckily my husband is very safety concious and so he's the one supporting this idea. ok i'll try doing things u suggested next week when we have a 5 hours trip to my in-laws house in Kuala Lumpur

-salmi, Executive Oil and Gas

Kelly - posted on 01/14/2010

my son use to hate long drives cause he wanted to get out and play and he still does at times but i try to carry toys for him and i find he plays up most when he is tired and wants to sleep. So i ignore his screaming and he goes off to sleep eventually.



I suggest if your going to do it make sure you have food and drink for your child and different toys to try and help the bordem. They learn quickly - i also have my toddler sitting the middle of the back seat so he can see where we are going and i foud that helps too.



HOpe you find out something to help you.