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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Sleeping Baby/Child in Car

99 replies

QueenSconetta · 06/02/2011 15:12

Before I start can I just caveat this by saying I HAVEN'T done this as was very unsure but...

What do you think about leaving child (14.5 months in this case but not really relevant) sleeping in the car:

  • In the driveway at home
  • WITH A BATTERY POWERED BABY MONITOR (that bit v important)
  • Wrapped up nice and warm so they won't be cold
  • Quiet cul-de-sac street with very little passing traffic
  • Very nosey neighbours across the road

while you going inside (with the other half of the monitor) rather than sitting in the car with them.

Car to house transfer not really an option as will almost certainly wake up and really need the nap.

Thoughts please and thank you.

(Posted in parenting as well then thought this poss better home)

OP posts:
GiddyPickle · 06/02/2011 15:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CaurnieBred · 06/02/2011 15:50

I would leave DD in the car but my sitution is different as we have a garage that I could drive into which has a connecting door into the hallway. She would be left in there, with the back garage door open for air, a car window open, and the door into the house open. However, even if we hadn't had the garage I would probably still have left her on the drive (we are at the end of a cul de sac).

I lost count of the amount of pub/shopping centre car parks/lay bys that I spent time in. Oh, those were the days!

izzybiz · 06/02/2011 15:50

I do it, Ds is 2, I check him from the window. Car is locked I can see him at all times.
As Tatty said, summer is different, there is a very big risk of overheating then, but this time of year its fine.

bubblewrapped · 06/02/2011 15:54

I wouldnt, because its not a comfy position to be left sleeping in.

sparkle12mar08 · 06/02/2011 15:54

We're a cul-de-sac off a cul-de-sac and I'd do it without a second thought. In fact we do on a weekly basis. We don't even bother with the monitor - totally uneccessary.

ThierryHenryismyBoyfriend · 06/02/2011 15:57

I wouldn't do it, I always take DS out of the car and if it wakes him then he'll go back to sleep once he's in his bed.

feekychucker · 06/02/2011 16:07

It's your choice but cars do catch fire even when ignition is switched off.

altinkum · 06/02/2011 16:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

waffleanddaub · 06/02/2011 16:13

After that post, feekychucker, I misread your name as feerychucker! Sorry! Grin

mnistooaddictive · 06/02/2011 16:14

I have done it. With 2 Dc you can't sit in the car as DD1 gets bored and wakes dd2 up. DD2 is ayt the stage where she wont go back to sleep of wokrn and is then really grizzly when tired. Summer is different but t the moment with blankets on it is not an issue. I lve on a very quiet road and prk so I can see her from lounge window.

controlpantsandgladrags · 06/02/2011 16:15

Only if i could see the child clearly from the house.

feekychucker · 06/02/2011 16:17

Sorry, have seen it happen that's all. Lol @ waffle

CharlotteBronteSaurus · 06/02/2011 16:18

don't think i would
although i would feel ok leaving dc in a buggy in front the dining room window in the back garden. can't explain why i find the former more disquieting though Confused

SoupDragon · 06/02/2011 16:20

I would, and have done, on many many occasions. All 4 windows open an inch and doors locked. In fact, i rarely used a baby monitor as I just went to look at the car every 5 minutes or so. It is right outside my living room window.

SoupDragon · 06/02/2011 16:22

Yes, cars catch fire. Foxes come into bedrooms, electrical stuff in bedrooms catch fire nd strangers come in your back door and steal children.

In a way, they were safer in the car as I checked so often. In their room I just left them til they woke.

HarrietSchulenberg · 06/02/2011 16:27

I would if I had a driveway. I think it's highly unlikely that anything would happen that couldn't happen if baby/child is unattended in an upstairs bedroom. In fact, you're likely to be more vigilant if baby is in the car.

There was a well publicised tragic incident where a car caught fire with children in, feekychucker, is that the one you mean? I agree it's worrying, but no more likely than an electrical fire starting in a room you're not in. Everything has a risk, I guess, and you have to weigh up the likelihood of the risk happening.

I most definitely would not do this for on-street parking though, even though in my case I can park right in front of my house, 6ft from the front windows.

HarrietSchulenberg · 06/02/2011 16:28

Oh sorry, same as SoupDragon said (x post).

feekychucker · 06/02/2011 16:34

No not that one, have seen a few cars after this has happened and just wouldn't do it myself based on that. Not my place to say what others should do tho just saying I wouldn't.

mamadiva · 06/02/2011 16:34

I would'nt do it for several reasons, none of which have anything to do with paedophiles, fires, over-heating etc.

I would be more concerned about my child waking up and getting a fright that he was in the car alone. I don't own a car but I really don't get the issue with this. What is the problem with just carrying your child inside to their cot?.

altinkum · 06/02/2011 16:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mamadiva · 06/02/2011 16:45

Erm well excuse me for asking a question Hmm

altinkum · 06/02/2011 16:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FabbyChic · 06/02/2011 17:02

You get them out of the car. I'd never leave a sleeping baby in a car for any reason.

diddl · 06/02/2011 17:44

No I wouldn´t.

Never did even though we had a secure drive & lived in a quiet area.

Would rather take child out & if they woke they did.

If tired enough, they would sleep again imo.

BirdFromDaNorf · 06/02/2011 17:52

Yes, of course I have. With both of our sons. I would come in, use the monitor if I could remember to. Or I'd sit in the front lounge with the laptop watching him through the window. Was anice time. Seats reclined so they were comfy and happy. Or if we were out and about I'd plan this in and get somewhere, put a blanket over myslefand go to sleep to catch up. Lovely times.Lovely memories.