First things first, congratulations! Whether you’re reading this article for yourself or a loved one, we’re happy for you. Having a baby is a significant life decision, and we hope you have a pleasant ride.
To ensure that you’re well prepared for this new phase, we have decided to share one of the most important things about being a new parent. There is a high chance that you’ll be spending a lot of time with your baby in your car. It starts when you’re leaving the hospital, and we want to ensure that it’s seamless for you. Here are a couple of things for you to equip your car within preparation for your baby:
Car Seats
Do you know that all 50 states of the United States of America have laws mandating the usage of a car seat for a newborn or any child until he/she exceeds a certain age? Do you know there are also laws mandating the usage of a booster seat for a child who is no longer suited to a safety seat and that a single child seat violation is enough reason to be stopped by the police in most states? Car seats are arguably essential equipment for carrying a baby in a car. Examples include Rear-facing/Infant, Convertible, Forward-facing, and Boosters.
Carpet Stain Guard
The odds are high that you, your baby, or your partner will spill something in your car while moving around. To protect the fabric surfaces in your car, you should use a stain guard.
Car Interior Protection Pads
For the sake of protecting the surface of the chairs fitted as standard in your vehicle, you may want to purchase a protection pad to act as a buffer between the abrasive base of the car seat and the soft leather or tear-prone fabric. However, even if you have a generally stationary car seat, the constant motion of the baby in and out of the car will lead to increased wear and tear within weeks or months. You will keep your seat in pristine condition using a protection pad while attending to more important matters.
Cleaning Wipes
A baby is an adorable and messy little creature. It is common for you to experience reflux and all sorts of baby messes that seem to appear from nowhere when you least expect it. Even though you can do a great deal to prevent this, it will affect you regardless.
A proactive attitude means ensuring that the necessary supplies are prepared in a “disaster”. You can combat the mess as quickly as possible by using an all-purpose cleaner of your choice combined with paper towels. Ensure you choose cleaners suitable for fabric or leather, so you do not cause more harm than good.
Changing Mats
Pooping is a natural consequence of eating. When you are in your car, changing a baby is not the most straightforward task in the world, and you will be glad to have a surface that can resist messes without exposing the vehicle to an excessive mess. Many companies, including popular fashion brands, offer to change mats that fold into squares no larger than a magazine to facilitate easy concealment behind the front chairs.
Window Shades
Your baby will constantly be in the back seat of your car, and you do not want the sun to keep getting into your baby’s eyes or skin as it could lead to various complications, so you’ll need to tint the windows of your car or simply get car shades to keep the sun out.
Mirrors
- Wrap Around: It is not safe for you to frequently look backward to check on your child while driving, so you can attach a rectangular convex mirror beneath your regular rearview mirror.
- Rear Seat: During the first few months of a child’s life in a car, they will be facing the auto’s rear. Thus you will not be able to see what is going on inside the car seat. You can monitor the baby at a glance with a rear seat mirror while at the same time providing yourself with peace of mind since crying is not the only sign that something is wrong.
- Mobile Bottle Warmer: Depending on your child’s personality, they may prefer a warm bottle over a cold one. Portable bottle warmers provide a solution to the cold temperature problem and ensure the bottle contents are heated to the appropriate temperature. A perfect solution for when your baby joins you on the commute and needs something on standby at all times.
In conclusion, there are several other children accessories for cars that have not been explored in this article. Patiently carry out your research and purchase what you believe would meet your baby’s needs.
