cutebaby

I have seen some cars having signs of "baby inside". And then yesterday, I saw a baby inside a car and the mother (I think) is holding the baby. They are seated infront of the car beside the driver's seat. I was just thinking what if accident happen (but I was praying that they would arrived safely in their destination), the baby would not be safe in that way. Even just a quick break might injure the baby.

So as the title says, where should we position a baby when traveling in a car? And do we also need to put them in a seatbelt?

clueless

Where do you live? In the US, car seats are required by law. They hook in the back seat using the seat belt. The baby is then hooked inside. This is the safest place for an infant. As the child outgrows the infant car seat, a toddler seat is needed. I think the child has to be a certain age before just the seat belt is allowed. Prior to that age, even though the child is old enough to stay seated, the seat belt is more dangerous than helpful. I think this is because of the size and weight distribution on a child.

Being held by someone is only safe for the person doing the holding. The baby will make a nice cushion for them in the event of an accident.

HoneyMuffin

I can't believe people are still holding babies in moving vehicles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would have called 911 on my cell phone and reported it. It's just so dangerous. I'm horrified!

1moretime

I alway have put my children in the backseat in the middle when they are little. Where I live you have to have infants up to 40lbs/4ys in either a carrier or carseat with a 5 point harness, and use a booster seat til age 8 or 75lbs. Now they are even recommending booster seats for kids til age 11 in some areas.

As for someone not having a child buckled in and holding them, I agree, I would have called 911 on my cell and reported them. IMO, there is NEVER an excuse to not have a child in a proper seat.

alexis

My girl is a little over 30lbs. now, we are lucky to have found a Graco travel system that the infant seat works til she hits 40lbs. Will be getting her a new car seat for her birthday or for Yule time.

cutebaby

I live here in Thailand and with your responses, it just reminded of that baby again and wonder how is he/she doing on traveling.

Now I know that infants should have their own car seats. My next inquiry is, can they be seated next to the driver's seat or its a law that they should always be at the back seat?