Can You Feed Baby In Car Seat? [Check The Facts]
Babies need more nutrients than adults, so you cannot miss feeding them. You should ensure proper feeding even if you are in a car. So how can you feed baby in car seat?
Feeding in a car seat will be comfortable if you have a rear-facing seat for the baby. Use a travel-friendly bottle feeder that has a flexible nipple. Feed liquid food items such as juice or milk. Breastfeeding is a good solution if you’re not driving.
Feed the baby only cut fruits and vegetables. Keep observing the baby till he/she finishes the food. The baby should be seated while eating something in the car seat to avoid choking.
How To Safely Feed Baby In A Car Seat: Check Now
Sometimes, you will be required to feed the baby in a car seat if he/she is starving for a long time. For this, you are required to know the safest way to feed a baby. I have a few tips for you below.
1. Use A Rear-Facing Seat
To keep the baby safe, it’s recommended to use a rear-facing seat. There will be no problem with feeding in a rear-facing seat. Also, this seat keeps the baby safer than a front-facing seat. Make sure you use a chest harness for kids with the seat.
2. Bottle Feeding
Using a bottle feeder is the easiest solution to feeding the baby in a car seat. This will help them to drink enough nutrition during a ride.
Also, the soft teat of the bottle feeder will save the baby’s soft gum. This is perfect for getting the right amount of food during a ride.
3. Breastfeeding
This is the easiest solution to feed the baby if you are not driving the car. Breastfeeding is easy and has the required nutrients for the baby.
If there is less traffic and shaking, breastfeed the baby. It’s hassle-free and doesn’t have any risk of choking hazards.
If you feel like the baby is not responding well to breastfeeding, park your car by finding a suitable place on the road. Try to breastfeed now.
4 Tips To Avoid Choking Hazards While Feeding Baby In Car Seat
Choking is very dangerous and may cause death. It’s the 4th leading cause of unintentional death in the country. That’s why you should not ignore this serious possible risk.
1. Solid Food Items
You should always ignore solid food items during a ride, especially for babies. There will be a risk of choking while eating solid food items in car seats.
It’s fine to eat solid foods at home. During a ride, there will be shaking, and the baby won’t be able to chew or eat that food perfectly.
2. Food Check
Get a complete guideline of the foods you should avoid during a ride. There are a couple of foods that may cause a baby to choke.
Avoid cooked or raw whole corn kernels, uncut cherries, pieces of raw vegetables, or fruit, as they are potential choking hazards for babies.
3. Lying Down
It’s not safe to eat something lying down except for newborns. Don’t feed the baby any piece of vegetables or fruits lying flat. There is a huge risk of choking while eating something by lying flat. It will be recommended to sit and eat something during a ride.
4. High-Traffic
Feeding in high traffic is quite uncomfortable for both the baby and the parents. You will need to break multiple times in high traffic. Feeding in a running car is more comfortable than feeding in a high-traffic situation. Multiple breaks may cause the baby to vomit.
FAQs
What Is The Recommended Seat For Feeding A Baby In A Car Seat?
Get a comfortable seat for the baby to get the most comfortable baby feeding experience. It’s recommended to get a rear-facing or convertible car seat for infants.
There will be no problem if you are feeding the baby in a rear-facing seat. When the car breaks or shakes. Use a seat harness chest belt to let the baby stay in place during the whole ride.Â
How Do You Clean Up After Feeding A Baby In A Car Seat?
Feeding babies in the car will leave lots of mess in the seats. There can be food stains and spill all over the seat. These should be cleaned properly to avoid any damage.
To clean the seat, use wet wipes or a soft towel. You may also use a sponge for wet spot cleaning. If there is any tough stain, clean the surface with a sponge soaked in warm water. Use a vacuum cleaner to dry the seat.
Can You Feed A Newborn In A Car Seat?
Feeding a newborn in a car seat is not recommended, as the car will move and shake during a ride. If you are a mother and planning to breastfeed your baby, it’s possible to feed the baby only if you’re not driving the car. Newborns will feel uncomfortable if there is too much of a shake.Â
So, find a safe place and avoid the traffic. It doesn’t take much time to breastfeed a newborn.Â
How To Feed The Baby On A Road Trip?
Use a bottle holder or strap to feed the baby in a car during a road trip. Don’t feed solid food rather, feed liquids such as milk, juice, etc. You should avoid feeding a baby in high traffic, as there will be frequent breaks, making the baby feel uncomfortable.
Feeding solid food in a car will be risky and may also cause choking hazards. If the baby is used to bottled milk, bring some milk and feed it with a baby feeder.Â
Final Thoughts
I guess there is no more confusion about whether can you feed baby in car seat or not. Feed liquid food items to avoid risks. It will be better if you breastfeed the baby as it’s the most needed and safest one.
Don’t feed anything while the baby is lying flat on the car seat. Whatever you are feeding, monitor the baby till the last bite or sip.
References
Car Seats: Information for Families. (2023, January 17). HealthyChildren.org. Retrieved February 9, 2023, from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Car-Safety-Seats-Information-for-Families.aspx
Choking Hazards | Nutrition. (n.d.). CDC. Retrieved February 9, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/foods-and-drinks/choking-hazards.html
Injury Prevention > – Choking Prevention for Children. (n.d.). New York State Department of Health. Retrieved February 9, 2023, from https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/injury_prevention/choking_prevention_for_children.htm#
Thomas, C., & Irving, J. (n.d.). How do I give my baby a bottle feed? Baby Centre. Retrieved February 9, 2023, from https://www.babycentre.co.uk/x554986/how-do-i-give-my-baby-a-bottle-feed#
