Prepping Your Car for First Time Moms

Bringing home a new baby is always such an exciting time! As parents we spend months preparing our home. But what about your car? It is so important to make sure your car is safe and ready to handle anything a newborn might throw your way. 

 Here are a few ideas to get you started:

 Get Your Car Detailed 

I always say a clean car drives better so before you start loading the car with a car seat and a stroller, invest in a professional detail. This will give you a fresh start and provide a more clean and calm environment for any trips with your new baby!

Get Your Vehicle Serviced

I suggest getting your vehicle serviced before the baby comes. Whether that be a regularly scheduled oil change, new tires or a recall you need to follow up on, taking care of this prior will make your vehicle safer and more reliable. Plus scheduling service appointments with a newborn is not ideal and takes one major thing off your to do list when the baby has arrived. So if you can, check this off your list prior! 

Consider a Roadside Assistance Service

When it comes to driving with a baby — peace of mind is everything! This is the perfect time to add roadside assistance to your arsenal so that you know your family has the support you need should your car have any issues on the road.

Car Seat Prep

It's very important to familiarize yourself with your infant car seat a few weeks before the baby comes. I would start this process around 6-8 weeks prior to your due date just in case the baby comes early and before you’re too uncomfortable to practice installing. Take this time to read your car seat and your vehicle manual child restraint section and think through what seating position you want the car seat in and how that could affect the rest of the passengers in your car.

•  Will the passenger have enough room with a car seat behind them?
• Is there enough room in the garage to open the door wide enough to remove the car seat? 
• Think through a typical day with your new addition 

I recommend reaching out to a local child passenger safety tech to ensure a proper installation and it also gives you the opportunity to ask questions relevant to your vehicle type. For more info on car seat safety, check out some of these online resources: 

• The Car Seat Lady
• Safe In The Seat
• Safe Kids Worldwide

Emergency Kit 

You can’t be too prepared when it comes to being a mom to a newborn which is why I highly suggest keeping some emergency essentials stored in your car for those “just in case” moments. I like to utilize the cars built in storage like the center console, glove box or hidden trunk storage. For smaller items, I suggest these mesh bags from Amazon to keep things categorized and easy to access. 

For baby essentials, stock up on the following:

• 4-5 diapers
• Wipes
• Diaper cream
• 2-3 changes of clothe
• 2 burp cloths
• Extra socks
• Hat
• Seasonal clothes like a jacket or blanket
• Extra comfort items like binkies, toys and a small blanket. 
• An extra outfit for yourself — yep, spit up doesn’t just land on baby!

These essentials will change as your baby does! I suggest setting a calendar reminder on your phone to update your kit every 4 weeks to replenish, add new sizes or soft, car safe toys.

Projectile Storage 

Once you bring home that new baby “precious cargo” takes on a new meaning. This is why it's so important to pay attention to any potential projectiles in your vehicle. In the event of a collision, anything that is not restrained could pose risk to your new baby. So, just be mindful of any items in the cabin and if possible store them or restrain them. I really like the product Netcessity for restraining items in the front seat. Utilize your privacy cover in the trunk, or place larger items in one close tight bin in the back seat.

There is so much to consider when you’re welcoming a new baby into your life — so I hope this blog gives you somewhere to start when it comes to prepping your vehicle(s)! It will give you confidence on the go, knowing that you’ve “baby proofed” your car and have the supplies you need should a blow out catch you by surprise.