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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To drive with 6 week old on her own in back?

90 replies

Melaniaspilatesinstructor · 05/02/2017 21:52

I'm confused about the rules?
Up until now, DH has sat on back seat with Dd in her car seat next to him but he's at work tomorrow and I need to go to Drs.
Is it okay to drive her whilst she's on her own in the back?

OP posts:
dingdongthewitchisdead1 · 05/02/2017 22:22

You can get a little mirror from mothercare.. you attach it to the head rest above the baby's seat and adjust it so that when you look in the rear view mirror, you can see the baby! Very reassuring!

Bluebellevergreen · 05/02/2017 22:24

I have one of those mirrors and the seat can be put to lie flat.
Thank you Smile
I have read all the books but I am hoping bubba brings his own manual Confused

lalalalyra · 05/02/2017 22:26

bluebelle

Absolutely fine. If you put the baby behind your DH then you'll be able to reach/see them from the passenger seat as well which might make you feel better.

Piffpaffpoff · 05/02/2017 22:26

Yes, you'll be fine and DD will be fine too.

And I say this as someone who sat in the back on the trip home from hospital with DC1 holding their wee head straight as we went round corners, because I didn't want their head to fall off...Smile.

Crumbs1 · 05/02/2017 22:26

Do those mirrors not distract? Seriously, is it not an increased risk of distraction? Why would a baby not be OK?

LunaLoveg00d · 05/02/2017 22:29

However, car seats aren't a good position for young babies for long periods.

OP is GOING TO THE DOCTORS. Not driving Lands End to John O'Groats.

WankersHacksandThieves · 05/02/2017 22:30

Bluebelle we had 3 door car when DS1 was born and I'd had a section so maneuvering into the back wasn't an option. We had a similar journey home with 2 day old DS1 but as DH wouldn't drive faster than 20 mph it took forever, plus we stopped in at the Supermarket on the way back so we all got out for a stroll about - well DS wasn't strolling but you get the idea!

Northend77 · 05/02/2017 22:33

crumbs the mirrors aren't a distraction at all - you literally take a quick glance, no different to looking behind you in the rear view mirror (out the rear window), glancing in your side mirrors or looking at your satnav, you get very used to them. I had one for each of my twins and was able to look quickly at them both without difficulty

LillyLollyLandy · 05/02/2017 22:36

Not all lie flat car seats can be used in the lie flat position in the actual car - make sure you check your manual first.

SparklyLeprechaun · 05/02/2017 22:37

It's fine. But I have to say I did find it stressful on long motorway journeys when the baby starts crying and you can't tell what's wrong and the next services are in 10 miles.

Bluebellevergreen · 05/02/2017 22:37

Thanks lala
wankers I imagined DS strolling Grin such an advanced baby

BertieBotts · 05/02/2017 22:38

At six weeks the car seat position isn't a concern unless baby was premature or you're travelling for long periods - it's really fine for everyday driving!

Front is less safe because even deactivated airbags can go off. Plus you're more likely to be distracted. Back is better.

missscarlettinthefutilityroom · 05/02/2017 22:39

"Long periods" are not defined. But the study I linked to, just a pilot, found desaturation during 30 minutes.

My GP is 30 minutes away. OP doesn't say how long the journey is.

Sweets101 · 05/02/2017 22:41

Ah I remember sitting in the back with my first watching her constantly. The 4th got put in the back to come home from hospital whilst I sat up front choosing a takeaway Grin
Unless you are going on a long journey I really wouldn't worry. Don't let baby sleep in the car seat for too long (I.e bring them in the house and leave them to carry on sleeping in it) even if you can see them it's best not too.

WankersHacksandThieves · 05/02/2017 22:45

wankers I imagined DS strolling grin such an advanced baby

Well he was nearly 10lb and although he was just about a year when he walked, my DB walked at 8 months and interestingly so did his grandson - it looks really weird though to see such a young baby walking and 2 days is really pushing it even though cashier in shop thought he was about 3 months old. He was wearing a t-shirt and shorts combo though as none of his sleepsuits fitted (his legs were too long), hence the stop off at Sainsbury's :o He now has a 36inch inside leg (he's 16 now)

WayfaringStranger · 05/02/2017 22:53

YANBU. It's absolutely fine for short periods. For longer periods, you still could do it but obviously you'd need to stop regularly and take your DD out. I second getting one of those mirrors so you can keep an eye on her.

LittleBearPad · 05/02/2017 22:57

Missscarlet you sound overly anxious.

BertieBotts · 05/02/2017 22:59

Yes, and the study, which I'm familiar with, focused on babies less than two weeks old. They increase in strength every day at that age - stating that it's a problem after 30 minutes is just a reason to worry new parents. Don't let them sleep in there at night and don't do long journeys without stopping. Other than that, don't worry.

missscarlettinthefutilityroom · 05/02/2017 23:00

Not at all. I just work in risk assessing!

So, there are risks to not using a car seat, but there are also risks to using one. It makes sense to consider all the risks, and minimise them as you can. Everything has risk, you assess that, and make low risk decisions. That's all I'm advising.

'I did it, you'll be fine' is a less scientific approach than I take.

Not anxious, just a mathematician.

Bunyun · 05/02/2017 23:03

I avoided driving alone when ours were babies. They were all pukey babies and grew up to be travel sick kids. When smaller and strapped into carseats, me or DP would sit next to them if possible to quickly clean up puke/watch for choking. I can still remember having to drive alone with DS1 when he was 6 months and he thew up carrot puree/milk Envy and I was stuck in traffic unable to pull over for aaaaages. Poor thing kept fetching and was drenched and so distressed Sad If I had known I could do it safely, I'd have had him in front seat with airbag off for that trip.

The episode was really stressful and I'm probably overcautious as a result....Blush

Camelsinthegobi · 05/02/2017 23:07

Missscarlet may be a mathematician (as am I) but she is also worrying new mothers unnecessarily. OP isn't looking for a fractionally safer way of configuring her car. She's looking for assurance about what is normal and safe for her baby. Newborn in the back in a properly fitted car seat for local journeys is absolutely normal and safe. Calm down.

10Betty10 · 05/02/2017 23:09

They have the car mirrors on offer at the moment in both Asda and Tesco as is their baby event- I got a nice one for about £7 from Tesco.

missscarlettinthefutilityroom · 05/02/2017 23:12

And putting kids in the boot was 'normal and safe' 30 years ago.

Lots of posters have said what their policy is.

I've said what mine is.

OP asked, so obviously she feels it is a question. Most people are happy with small babies in the back. I don't do that with my baby any more, because I think it's lower risk not to.

I'm not wanting to 'worry' anyone. I'm not saying OP is unreasonable to travel with her baby in the back, haven't said that at all. But I don't any more, and I've said why.

I'm sure OP is perfectly capable of weighing up what I've said, and what others have said, without being 'worried'.

10Betty10 · 05/02/2017 23:12

Ps. I'd ignore the alarmist poster on here- she's currently doing it on another thread too!

10Betty10 · 05/02/2017 23:14

Pps. Wasn't on about the poster directly above me- that was a total cross post!