at what age can my baby be in the backseat by herself?

Question

You know how us mothers always sit in the back of the car with our babies (obviously with them in their carseats). At what age can they sit there by themselves and I can sit in the front again?

My baby is four months old and her careseat still faces backward.

Answer 1

They have those safe mirrors you can put on the back of the seat where the carseat is. You can watch her from the rearview mirror. There are times when my son or husband isn't with my daughter and me. She is used to having her big brother in the back with her, but she entertains herself by looking out the window, playing with her rattles or toys, even the mirror. She is 5 months old. I always talk to her even if it is small talk or have conversations even if I just do the talking. I go as far as singing the ABC's or counting.

Answer 2

I know how you feel. i am always worried that her head will fall forward and keep her from breathing. I read online (cant remember where) that as long as you are okay, they can be there alone. I still sit in the back if my husband is driving, just because I am more comfy with being near her (she is 10 weeks old), but I did drive to my parents' home alone when she was 7 weeks old and we did fine. I can reach her from the front, so I checked to make sure her head was up (I am a 1st time mom and paranoid, I know!!). She doesnt care if I am back there or not, unless she wants her paci (she cant hold it in by herself...I think cause we use the soothies kind).

Also...I cant hang toys for her, because my carseat says the handle has to be down when she is in the car. When she needs toys to keep her occupied, I will probably be in a bit of trouble!!

Answer 3

Your baby can be in the backseat by themselves from the time you start driving them around in the car, just make sure the carseat is facing backwards; and I believe they face backwards for the first year. If you want to keep an eye on her you can buy one of those little mirrors and put it in the back with her - I have that with my daughter and it works fine.

Answer 4

I only ever sat in the backseat with my daughter if she was fussy. and she is 14 mos now and has been fine. I can probably count on one hand how many times i have had to sit back there, excluding family vacation when i did sit in the back due to the long drive time and feedings in the car. I am sure you can sit in the front and your child will be fine. Buy one of those mirrors that you can place in the backseat so you can see her face.

Answer 5

I sat in the back with my baby for the first 2 weeks, only because I had family there to drive us to any Dr. appts., etc. After that I had to do the driving, so she had to be by herself. Your baby will be fine as long as he/she is strapped into the car seat. I have a baby mirror so I can make sure she is okay, I also have hanging toys from the car seat handle, a blanket, spit up cloth, and pacifier just in case she gets upset. If your baby starts fussing you can try talking/singing to her to let her know you are still there. I have to do that a lot! :) She doesn't seem to mind that my singing voice is so bad...

Answer 6

The only time I sat in the back with my baby was if I was riding in someone else's car and there were other people in the front. My daughter did just fine in the backseat by herself from birth on up until now.

Answer 7

When they stop screaming if they're back there by themselves!

If your baby isn't crying, you don't need to feed him/her, and you aren't on a long car ride where you are playing with them to keep them happy, you don't need to sit in the back seat. I'd nip that in the bud before your child won't sit back there by him/herself at all.

Make sure your baby has lots to do back there. I always have plenty of hand toys on plastic links attached to the carseat for easy access, as well as foot rattles and wrist rattles for my babes before they could hold toys. I also put in one of those mirrors that allows rear-facing babies to see forward, and I sing a lot so my babies know I'm still there.

Answer 8

I have 4 kids and never sat in the back with them. I can't think of any good reason to have to sit back there. If they screamed, we just either waited it out until we reached our destination or pulled over if we needed to. I say get back up front with your husband. Nothing is going to happen if the baby sits back there alone. I know of only a few moms who sit in the back with their children. They all tend towards a bit more over protectiveness in all aspects. Nothing wrong with sitting in the back, but it's not necessary.

Answer 9

do not sit bach there until they face forward its not needed. If she sleeps theres no need to be back there. If she has toys to play with theres no need. usually at three months if they dont scream you are fine. doesnt mean you will never have to sit back there again. My daughter is 8 months and I have had plenty of times where my husband or i have had to get in the back to hold a bottle for her or what not. use your own judgement. if shes not fussing let her learn to play by herself in her seat... trust me it helps down the line. i used to put my daughter in her car seat when I needed to take a shower just because she knew she could play (rather bat at) her toys

Answer 10

My son was back there by himself from birth. I was in the backseat with him a few times when he was really fussy, but other than that he was solo! I drive a lot with him when I am alone, too. Also, I get carsick in the back and don't think my hubby enjoys feeling like a chauffeur.