One of the essential aspects you must take care of as a parent is your little one's safety.
Only when your child is healthy and protected can you think of ways to enhance their well-being and put smiles on their face.
You focus on your infant's security, especially since they are so curious and vulnerable, and you want to let them explore, learn and grow safely both inside and outside of your home.
You plan every walk outside your house in detail when you choose to walk or ride with your child because unforeseen hazards can happen, and you are well aware of the level of exposure to risks your infant is subject to when they're out.
At first, trips and walks with your infant might seem overwhelming: you have to double-check the equipment you carry, they need to be rested and fed to be peaceful, and you have to ensure there are stops on your way in case they need to be changed or fed.
Choose safe methods to carry your child and consider the following recommendations that’ll help you relax, knowing that you've reduced the chances of mishaps on your trip.
Plan the Trip in Advance
Planning is caring, and you should organise your trip ahead of time, whether you are off to the park for a day of play with your child, bring your baby outside to breathe some fresh air or going on vacation.
Local trips are easier to manage, as most of the time you might only have one transportation mode: by foot or by car.
Things get complicated when you travel longer or out of your city.
Then, besides well-equipped baggage, you must also carry a pushchair with you.
Thankfully, there are easy folding or automatically folding pushchairs that offer your infant comfort and space.
They can be easy to transport, and their shopping baskets provide enough room for your belongings.
Ensure you choose one made from breathable fabrics, with terrain tyres and rain and sun protective canopy or cover, so your little one enjoys the rides every season.
Here are some recommendations regarding other aspects of planning before you get out of the house with your child:
- Look for stops. The longer the travel, the higher the chances you and your kid need a stop.
- Check the weather forecast. You might have to take additional clothes with you if the weather is tricky.
- Know when you will return home. The longer you're gone, the fuller the backpack.
Child-proof Your Car
Childproofing your car and securing your baby's and toddler's safety allows you to drive comfortably, knowing that your child is safe from dangers.
Vehicles come equipped with various features that ensure safe rides for children.
However, it is prudent to take additional preventive measures, like the ones below:
- Don't allow them to drink or eat while you drive – it doesn't matter if they want a sip of water or chewing gum. You know it's risky, even though it's nice having them busy and quiet.
- Install a baby car seat – your little one should stay rear-facing in their car seat. Forward-facing car seats are permitted after the child reaches the age of two. It would be best if you get an age-appropriate car seat as you can choose from baby, toddler and child car seats. Then put it properly, so it doesn't move in the event of sudden breaks. A good car seat decreases the chances of severe injuries in an accident.
- Turn on the childproof locks – if your car is not equipped with such locks, make sure your child only sits in the middle of the car seat. This is a preventive measure, so they can't open their doors. Otherwise, your child should never be left alone in the car.
- Secure loose and sharp objects – your child might get hit when quick breaks occur, or he may find those objects interesting enough to try to eat, swallow and choke on them.
- Ensure they always wear the seat belt – even if it's a 5 minutes’ drive to the store. Three-point seatbelts are the most secure.
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Carry the Necessary Children's Equipment
Unexpected and misfortunate hazards can happen if you lose sight of your child, whether you walk with them to the park, to the store or have them as companions on your car rides.
You must carry a well-equipped safety travel kit with things like these:
- Band-Aids
- Diapers
- Wet wipes
- Replacement clothes
- Moisturising cream
- Hand sanitiser
- Bug repellents
- After-bite spray
If you plan to travel for longer travel, such as a trip or a holiday, your child's needs list may extend to medications like cough drops, decongestants, allergy medicine and multivitamins.
These necessities differ from child to child, depending on their health condition, but scratches and stings, allergies, catching a cold or having digestive problems are common health risks that occur when you travel with your infant.
Feed Before You Leave
Your little one needs to be rested and properly fed to be content outside the house, and so you don't need to make endless stops on your car trip.
Whether your baby is breastfed or formula-fed, ensure they never leave the house hungry, or else you will have to find a spot to stop and feed them when they get hungry.
Older babies and toddlers need regular snacks and meals, so make sure you have some suitable healthy snacks stashed in your bag and whatever you need to breastfeed or formula feed younger ones.
Extra tips!
Children are curious and want to feel independent, making it hard to keep your eyes on them all the time, so keep the same babyproofing rules in mind when you are away form home too.
Another great tip is to dress kids in bright, easily recognizable clothes. Choosing bright colours like yellow and green will help to identify them in case they get lost in overcrowded places.
Dressing kids in layers makes life easier for both of you. They cannot easily regulate their body temperature, so should always be dressed in one layer more than you to stay warm or cool enough.
Use common sense when you buy and dress your child to diminish the chances they get lost or catch a cold.
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