Sitting in back of car with newborn?

Question

I have a newborn baby she is a week old, and I don't go anywhere with her unless someone is in the back seat with her to make sure she is okay-- But my husband is going back to work and I will be alone during the days and when is it okay for her to be by herself in the backseat while i'm driving?! First baby thanks for all the help!!

Answer 1

First, your concern shows you are a good mommy already.

I was terrified to have my babies out of sight, all three of them, whether in the car or the house. With my first, I drug the bassinet around with me from room to room! I got better with time though.

Try a very short trip- even if it means driving to your next-door neighbor's house! If that is how short it has to be for you to feel comfortable. Now, get out and check baby. Has her head fallen over? (Mine would slump their heads, even with the positioners in. If so, you can roll a towel and tuck it under the carseat, close to the back of the seat it is strapped into. Nurse at the hospital told me this- 3 different nurses at 2 different hospitals- so it's got to be okay.)

If not, and if baby seems fine, try a *slightly* longer trip. Gradually you will become comfortable with having baby out of veiw, and make longer trips.

Also, this is good because if there actually IS any problem (say with the carseat, whatever) it's better to find out withint two minutes than ten.

As for the backseat mirrors- if you can get them positioned right, they can be great. For me, they were mostly a pain. I had to adjust one and then the other by myself, guess and test fashion, and then one would fall off going down the road. Besides which, they are one more thing to pay attention to besides the road. Every single distraction, however tiny, raises the risk of an accident. If you decide to try them, just do be careful. You're carrying precious cargo!

Enjoy your precious baby! They grow up fast, and the baby you see today will be a new person tomorrow!

Answer 2

My mom is a firm believer in having someone in the backseat. I on the other hand never set in the back with any of my kids, except on the way home from the hospital. You can buy a baby mirror that will show you their face if they are in a rear facing carseat (which a newborn should be in).

If a baby is sitting strapped into a carseat what is the worst that could happen if you aren't there? Its not like they are eating food and could choke, or undo themselves and jump out.

Answer 3

My kids are 6 and 8 and my brother in law still makes fun of me and my husband for that, in a teasing way though. She is fine to be alone even on the drive home from the hospital. Its just when you are a first time mom you do all these things. I did it too, just not with my second because she already had big sister there with her. She will be fine just get one of the mirrors that you put on your rear view mirror and one that goes on the back of the seat she faces and you will be able to see her all the time.

Answer 4

Your little one should be just fine back there! Just be sure the carseat is properly installed...something you can do to ease your mind is get one of those mirrors you can clip to the seat so you can look in your mirror and see her...you can find them at babies r us or walmart...pretty much anywhere that has baby stuff! Best of luck and congrats on the new baby! Its amazing how much you worry when you become a mom...it will get better as you gain more confidence and baby gets bigger!

Answer 5

I'm in your shoes... my son is 2 weeks old today (by the way, congrats!) and I just started driving by myself yesterday. I glance over my shoulder at him to make sure his head is still propped up, but it's a nerve-wracking drive all the same.

Buy the little mirrors that you can stick on your back windshield so you can see her face in your rearview mirror. Just being able to see her should make you feel a lot better.

Also, make sure your infant seat has a head pillow. It's shaped like an upside-down horseshoe and it keeps her head from dropping to the side. Mine is a little larger than it should be, so I make sure my son's head is snugly held in place with rolled up receiving blankets.

This will help, but if you're like me, you're dreaming of the day when your baby can hold his/her own head up so you aren't constantly worrying anymore! :)

Answer 6

I know it seems scary, but your baby will be ok if she is in the backseat alone while you are driving. Afterall, carseats are very safe.
Start off with short errands to get used to having her alone back there. If you get concerned, pull over (Safely!) and check on her. Don't try to check on her while driving, because that will make it more dangerous for you and her.
If you don't want her to feel sad, sing or talk to her.
Good luck, and enjoy your new baby!

Answer 7

There is a mirror you can mount over the backseat so you can see Baby in your rearview mirror. It's great for your peace of mind. As Baby gets older, you can look each other in the eye and communicate via the mirror. When she can face forward, the mirror moves so you can see her without adjusting your mirror and losing your rear view.

Answer 8

First of all, congratulations! What a happy time for you.

I was always concerned about the safety of my newborns in the back seat too. I bought what used to be called a "Heads Up" It goes inside the carseat, and around baby's head to support it. Everything was fine after that.

Answer 9

She'll be fine now. Go to Target or Wal-Mart, and get a mirror for the backseat, they're in the baby aisle. That way you'll be able to look in your rear-view mirror and see into her mirror so you'll know she's okay.

Answer 10

A baby no matter what age is not allowed legally in the front seat even if that baby is in a car seat and buckled up.