Top Tips for Travelling With Little Ones

We worry an awful lot when it comes to our children, and naturally, of course, as they’re our most prized possessions. So, mums and dads, listen up and let’s talk about how you can travel safely and comfortably with little ones. 

Whether you’re popping to the shop or going on a road trip, you’ll want to do everything to ensure your child is safe in the car, comfortable, and maybe even entertained, too, to make the journey as smooth as possible. With this in mind, we’ve spoken to Parenting Expert and Consultant Auntie K to equip you with everything you need to know before you strap your child in and hit the road.  

Auntie K is a qualified Early Years Practitioner who has acquired a wealth of knowledge and experience due to over 20 years of working with little ones from birth to their teens. Using both her professional experience and personal experience of being a mum, she offers advice to support and reassure regarding all areas of parenting, including travelling safely with children.  

Buckle up, and let’s get started! 

Keeping children safe in a car

Here is a breakdown of the steps you need to take when travelling with little ones, from the correct car seat you need to use to the time spent in a car without breaks. We have given top safety tips to consider when travelling with a newborn up to toddlerhood. 

Choosing a car seat

Absolutely top of the list is ensuring that you are using the correct car seat for your little one (if you are unsure, look at the chart below) and installing it correctly. Follow the instructions closely, making sure the car straps are placed correctly and tightly and that the car seat is adjusted correctly for your baby’s and your child’s size. 

A car seat with an ISOFIX base makes this process easier and less back-breaking! An ISOFIX base secures your vehicle using ISOFIX connectors. Most vehicles have ISOFIX points fitted, but if you’re unsure, check your car’s handbook or look for the logo on your back seat. 

You must also buy the right one to meet car seat laws. There are two different standards to look out for, ECE R44 and UN R129 (also known as i-Size).

Car seat groups and car seat regulations 

We know car seat groups can be confusing, so here is a table to show you the weight range and approximate age for the car seat groups. We have also provided information on what the difference is between R44 and R129 regulation car seats. 

R44 v R129

The R129 standard was introduced in 2012 to make travel for babies and children even safer. It’s. It follows more detailed testing than R44 for improved head and neck protection. Current child car seat laws mean using either regulation car seat is legal. It is still safe to use an R44 car seat, but it is likely that this standard will be phased out over time for the R129. 

Here is a breakdown of the main differences: 

R129

• choose the seat depending on your child’s height, not weight, so you will find it easier to ensure your child is in the right seat. it has improved safety standards
• you have to use ISOFIX with these car seats to secure it to your vehicle 
• your child stays rear-facing until at least 15 months old

We’ll let you in on a little secret – your little one’s height can actually be worked out using their clothes. Labels always have height details on them, so that’s one less job for parents to worry about!

R44

• R44 car seat groups are based on weight, not height
• Models can be fitted either with or without ISOFIX, depending on the model
• These car seats meet R44 standard testing for rear and frontal impact but not for side impact crashes
• Your child can travel forward facing after 9 months. 

Adjust the seat and strap them in

Before setting off on your journey, adjust the car seat accordingly to ensure the headrest is in the correct place, the shoulder straps are at the correct height, and the newborn insert is correctly in place (if needed). Remove bulky cardigans or coats before you put your baby in the car. Place them in the car seat, strap them in and pull the seat belt as tight as it will go. 

Make sure they’re facing the right way

Which way your child faces in their car seat will depend on their age and size. A newborn’s car seat should be secured in the back of the car and rear-facing. It should never go in the front seat, especially if an active passenger airbag exists. In a situation where there’s no other choice, move the seat as far back as possible and disable the airbag. 

Height-based seats (R129) are becoming more common in comparison to ones that go off age/weight. The current guidelines advise that babies stay rear-facing until they weigh 9kg. However, newer i-Size regulations require this until they’re 15 months. It’s not illegal to use car seats based on weight/age. However, our Kiddies Kingdom experts agree it’s safer for little ones to stay rear-facing for as long as possible, as it offers more protection. 

We’ll let you in on a little secret – your little one’s height can actually be worked out using their clothes. Labels always have height details on them, so that’s one less job for parents to worry about!

So if you have a weight-based car seat, your child can be forward facing after 9kg, but if you have a height-based car seat, your child can be forward facing after 15 months old. The most important thing to remember is that rear-facing is safest, so keep them this way for as long as possible. 

Take regular breaks 

This is especially important with newborns and babies, but toddlers will become restless on long care journeys and will also need a break. The Lullaby Trust study and the NHS Foundation Trust and University of Southampton, advise against long periods of time spent in a car seat when travelling with babies. 

There are different lengths of time advised, such as: from when they’re a newborn to 3 months old, no more than 30 minutes should be spent in a car seat, or until they can lift their own heads, or the recommended length for babies and infants is no longer than 2 hours. 

Therefore, our experts at Kiddies Kingdom suggest keeping it to 90 minutes, with regular breaks. If you’re planning a road trip with your little explorer, you should pull over every so often and take them out of their car seat. 

Additional top tips for travelling with little ones

Now that you’re savvy about keeping your little one safe, here are some other top tips on ensuring you and your child have a smooth and comfortable journey. 

• Keep them entertained with audiobooks or an iPad for long car journeys
• To keep them nice and warm, give them a blanket but make sure it is put over the top of the harness, never under
• Never leave your child in the car alone
• Activate child locks
• It’s always a good idea to take snacks and drinks in the car with you in case the journey takes longer than expected or in the event of a breakdown

And now you’re ready for your exciting car journey! Keep your little ones safe and comfortable and you’re in for a great journey every time, long or short.