Car Seat

One of the issues that we brought up during our group discussion is about the safety of a child/baby travelling in a car. Below are some comments to ponder over. Please, if you are not using a car seat yet, do so today!

Question

My question is does anyone know the tricks to tempt a toddler to sit still and quietly through a journey? - Szex2

Responses

And please please please make sure you follow the instructions for the car seat exactly! Don’t put it on a seat with an an air-bag; don’t put it front-facing until baby is over 9kg AND at least one year old; if the instructions say you need a locking clip on the seat belt, then use it; replace the seat if your car is in a bad accident, whether the baby was in it or not…. Sorry, I do tend to rant a bit about car seats. I am horrified every time I get in the car and see adults safely strapped in the front seats while their children are unrestrained in the back. And babies are *not* safe in your lap - in an accident they become a rocket and you become the rocket launcher!

I realize that statistically speaking, an accident isn’t likely every time you get in the car, but you never know. And when you are talking about a baby’s life I don’t see how there can be any question whether to use one or not. If my baby died in an accident because I simply didn’t bother putting her in a car seat I would not be able to live with the guilt, and I don’t know how any mother could. It’s not worth the risk.

BTW, it is also much safer to wear your seatbelt than not while
pregnant as well! I don’t understand the exemption in Malaysia. Just wear the belt across the hips, below the belly.

Okay, off my soapbox!! - Jen (from Canada living in Melaka)