A long car journey with a child

June 29 2020

A vacation, vacation or just a weekend outside the city is an opportunity for family car journeys. Such an expedition is an amazing adventure for the youngest, but for parents it takes the form of a real challenge. Its difficulty level increases with the number of kilometers to be traveled and is strongly determined by the age of the little travelers. Hence, the organization of the entire project is so important.

In small steps

For travel You should get your toddler used to it gradually, starting with shorter trips. Let's observe how he endures it, what he likes and what bothers him - thanks to this, we will check in practice how to react in specific situations to make the trip, if not pleasant, at least bearable.

Preparation for the trip

Considering the amount of children's things, a car is the best means of transport– we are only limited by the capacity of the boot and the space inside the vehicle.

When packing for a family trip, it is worth considering various scenarios. Snacks, drinks, a change of clothes, extra nappies, bandaged plasters, and disinfectant - these are just a few examples of things that might come in handy. Yes It is better to prepare the list in advance and remove individual elements from it when packing.

The same applies to methods for a bored child who, depending on his age, must be provided with adequate entertainment. The younger toddler will enjoy rattles or sensory toys, while the older child will be happy to deal with card games or puzzles. Let's treat a tablet or a smartphone as a last resort, not the only possible solution.

Ewa Lukasik

Chief Specialist for issuing opinions on utility products for children at the Institute of Mother and Child in the years 2004-06.2022

The expert advises:

The younger the child, the more accessories we have to take for him (for changing, feeding, spare clothes, etc.), but usually less worry about entertainment - babies up to about 7 months of age usually sleep on the journey. The older the child is, the more he will need entertainment in order not to get bored during a long, monotonous ride - so it is worth considering how to make this time more attractive. It is worth preparing one favorite toy for a trip, e.g. a cuddly toy, thanks to which the child will feel safe, and toys or games that have not been used or forgotten for some time, or those that our child does not know yet.

Child safety in the car

A properly selected car seat is the basis of every journey. It is not only about comfort, but above all about the safety of the toddler. Hence it is so important taking into account the weight of the child and choosing the product that has appropriate safety certificates, as well as 5-point seat belts and a three-stage backrest adjustment (useful e.g. during a nap). You can read more about how to choose a child car seat here.

Traveling with a child cannot do without frequent stops. They are very important, not only because of changing the diaper or boredom, but also because of load on the spine, caused by staying in one position for a long time. The toddler should not spend more than 2 hours in the seat.

Marzanna Reśko-Zachara

Pediatrician and neonatologist, Coordinator of the Neonatology Department at the Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care, Institute of Mother and Child

The expert advises:

When preparing food and drink for a trip, remember not to give your kids any snacks or drinks while driving. Even products that seem safe to us, with a soft or liquid consistency, can cause choking, and we will not be able to help a child immobilized in the seat immediately. It is better to set aside time for a stop every 2-3 hours, during which the child will not only be able to eat or drink calmly, but also change position, stretch his legs, etc.

Kinetosis, or motion sickness

Motion sickness most often occurs around the age of 2 - it is very rare in infants. The most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache and dizziness. It is better to consult your pediatrician about the administration of any pharmacological agents, but you can try, for example, mint tea or ginger tea, which has an anti-sickness effect. It is also worth taking care of the supply of fresh air and place the toddler in a reclining position facing the direction of travel.

Let's go!

Although the journey with a child is not easy - it is worth taking up this challenge. Time spent together is a good opportunity to strengthen ties, and visiting new places is an element of learning about the world by our children. We should also remember that with each family trip we gain experience and everything will run more smoothly.

Author: ePozytywnaOpinia.pl team