To want to sit in the front seat?

[Cupcakejamlover]

I have had a baby (4months old now) and we are just getting a car now. (Couldnt afford it sooner)

I was wondering why I see so many people where the mum or dad (whoever is the passenger) sits in the back with the baby. I generally get really dizzy in the back and I dont drive therefore me sitting in the back is the only option if one of us has to, but the question is, Does one of us really have to at this age? Or is that more in the newborn phase? Why do people do it if there is mirros that you could hang and i could turn around checking on baby? If it is necessary/ recommended, until what age?

[burnoutbabe]

I found it odd on Georgie shore last night. Couple in the front, baby in back plus her mate next to baby. To me a parent by the baby makes more sense than guest by baby (guest having to amuse baby during journey)

[Veggiepotamus]

I sat in the back on the way home from the hospital because I was anxious and maybe once or twice when my first was upset. Think at one point I was leaning over to give her my boob! With second there was no option to do that as both kids in car. Do what you feel comfortable with!

[liveforsummer]

It's easier to stick the dummy back in when they start to cry I guess. Just sit where you fancy. I was generally on the car on my own so it wasn't an option for me to sit in the back. Would have been handy at times though.

[ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba]

@iamtheoneandonlyyy

Also when they are little it can be worrying that their head may flop about and you might not realise in the front.
Each to their own, I sat with mine in the back for peace of mind. Some people are lucky and relax better

some people are lucky and relax better

I think you meant some people are lucky and have the luxury of being driven around. or not have motion sickness when sitting in the back seat.

[ConstanceGracy]

Nope, never done it and never would.

[budgun]

Why are so many people commenting about being single parents etc? OP was asking about why an adult sits in the back when there are 2 adults available.

[movingadviceneeded]

I had to sit in the back with my baby from birth until around 9 months. If I didn't then he would scream bloody murder constantly. He's 2.5 now and loves being in the car, but don't think people do it to coddle or spoil their kid, sometimes it's an absolute necessity!!!

[Ozanj]

I did it until DS was 14 months because he used to get lonely and just needed someone to talk to or look at as he fell asleep. But I wasn’t really driving him myself at that stage. I then got a new car and decided to sit at the front when DH drove to get him used to not having me there - we got one of those rear view mirrors he can see us through.

[SheABitSpicyToday]

Mine screamed in the car unless someone was sat next to her. Plus why does it matter where a passenger sits?

[FunMcCool]

I’ve always sat in the front only climb in the back on a long journey if one is screaming. Otherwise up front all the way.

[MaggieFS]

The only time we ever did it was bringing each DC home from the hospital. And I don't think I've ever seen anyone else do it.

[MsHedgehog]

I sit in the back for the same reason as others - my DS is 4 months old and after no more than 10 minutes he becomes so so unbelievably distressed in the car seat, to the point where I fear he will pass out because he doesn’t breathe and instead screams! But when I’m in the back with him, I can distract him to stop that happening or delay it long enough for us to get a decent drive in.

If I could sit in the front, I would! Means I can’t drive on my own anywhere further than local with him either!

[littlelionroars]

I never really used to do this when DS was a baby, as he generally fell asleep in the car.

However he is 3.5 now and for the last couple of years I have sat in the back with him because he gets quite severe motion sickness on longer journeys. Dealing with a vomiting child in the back seat when you are seated in the front is not easy. And turning around for any small length of time makes me queasy too. So I sit next to him, vomit bucket and wipes at the ready.

It's really down to your child and what their needs are. If your little one is happy in the back on their own, that's absolutely fine.

[altrajuce93]

I still sit in the back with my 3.5yo - she was a reflux baby and would often struggle worse in the car - so it had to be there to sort her out. Now its just the norm - we have a 3 door car and she's still rearfacing so I often have to get in the back to strap her in, so its just easier that way.

[welshweasel]

If driving on my own I’d have baby on the front seat (airbag off), if with DH then baby in back with a mirror so I could keep an eye. I feel sick in the back so wouldn’t ever choose to sit there. Once we had two kids I couldn’t wedge my arse in between the seats so wasn’t an option!!

[GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing]

You certainly don’t have to do it. Some do it to comfort the baby etc and because it may be easier than turning around all the time.

We had a car where the baby sit would only fit in the front! So the non driver had to sit behind. Luckily we replaced that car.

I do drive thank goodness as I get very car sick.

[LJAKS]

Aw I did this for years, preferred her company to EXH 😂
She was a nicu baby and that level of anxiety takes a long time to leave and I felt better when I could see she was ok/check she was breathing. I guess if you don't understand why someone would do that that's a good thing...

[Italiandreams]

So much unnecessary judgement on here! Why does it matter to anyone else where someone sits in the car! When it was just us, my little one was obviously on his own in the back. When husband and I were both in the car sometimes one of us did sit in the back because he was a screamer and it meant a calmer journey. Sometimes we occasionally do it now he is a toddler if we don’t want him to go to sleep! If anyone judges me for this or thinks I’m making a rod for my back then they are an idiot! Why does anyone care about stuff like that! People are way to over invested in others parenting choices.

[IamnotSethRogan]

I don't think a lot of people do it all the time. My babies always slept in the car and we're generally happy in there but there were certain long journeys where they had just had enough so I'd sit with them. Didn't really make a difference but it felt cruel to leave them alone in the back screaming

[iamtheoneandonlyyy]

@ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba no, I meant some people don't worry as much, as I said

[ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba]

[quote iamtheoneandonlyyy]@ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba no, I meant some people don't worry as much, as I said[/quote]
ignoring the fact that some people worry but still are unable to sit next to their babies.

stay naive then

[ItWasAgathaAllAlong]

I was usually alone in the car with the children (single baby with first DC) for most journeys, so no option for an adult in the back!

And even with DH in the car, he went in the passenger seat (he can drive, but I enjoy driving more so do most of it ) and the DC went in the back.

What makes me laugh, though, is a neighbout who's always stuck her DP in the back with the DC ever since they were born... only thing is, DC is now about 15 and the DP is still shoved in the back! I'm starting to think she doesn't want her DP in the passenger seat all all. Like never!

OP, most people stick the DC in the back and the adults go in the front. I've literally never seen anyone (except my neighbour!) do anything different. You reap what you sow. What on earth do you think parents of multiples do?! The DC go in the back seats/rows and the adults go in the front. Tough luck in the DC don't enjoy car journeys - but they won't come to any harm if they cry/moan/whimper about it. It's annoying, yes, but not dangerous to them.

[babybopella]

I don't sit in the back, I'm often the one driving on my own anyway so not even an option... but I guess if a baby is really unhappy on car journeys that's why. Get a mirror for the car, they do ones especially safe for the car, then you can see baby when you're in the front

[custardbear]

Get a mirror so you can see the baby abs make sure they're on - job done

[Cuddlyrottweiler]

I take travel sickness tablets and sit in the back. Not worth listening to him crying because he needs something simple