How to Prepare Your Car for a New Baby

Last week we gave you tips on what to look for in a new vehicle when a baby’s on the way. But what if a new vehicle isn’t in the cards for you? New cars are expensive and so are babies.

Still, it’s missing some of the new, baby-friendly features found on modern automobiles. Fear not though, the aftermarket has more baby accessories for cars than you could ever imagine. Some are must-haves, some are nice-to-haves and others are just a waste of money. We’ve assembled ten vehicle accessories that should be high on any new parents shopping list when preparing for the arrival of a bundle of joy.

Child Safety Seat: The first and most important car accessory needed is an approved child safety seat. Seats come in a variety of styles such as convertible seats, infant seats and all-around seats. Of course not all seats are created equally and it’s a good idea to research which are the best before making a purchasing decision. Finally it’s important to note that child safety seats do have an expiration date so if the seat you plan to use is not brand new, check the date to ensure it is still safe and legal.

SEE ALSO: Why do Car Seats Expire?

Seat Protectors: Since the child safety seat is going to be strapped good and hard onto a car’s rear seat for the next several years, it’s a good idea to have a seat protector. These are thick mats that will unsure the sharp, hard edges on the child seat do not damage the car’s fabric or leather seating surface, something that’s a particularly good idea if you plan to ever sell your vehicle down the road.

Sippy cups: In no time, your child will become a toddler. And toddlers need to eat and drink a lot, not always conforming to their parent’s schedules. To help prevent spills while motoring, a good sippy cup is a must as it will allow your child to drink as they please, but not create a mess if dropped or turned upside down.

Carpet Stain Guard: In case a cup or any other liquid is, uh, spilled, getting all the fabric surfaces of your car stain guarded is a good idea. It will help make clean ups much easier and should limit the risk of stains to the carpets. It’s also good if you live in an area of snow and salt as it should help prevent that from setting into the carpet as well.

SEE ALSO: Child Seat Weight Limit Labels Revised by Feds

Cleaning Wipes: For the harder surfaces as well as the child safety seat itself, a steady supply of baby wipes are always a good idea to have on hand. Safe for your infant, these wipes will help clean the inevitable messes that will occur from time to time inside your vehicle.

Window Shades and Tint: If your vehicle didn’t come equipped with rear tinted windows, keeping the sun out of your child’s eyes should be a priority. Heading to a local tint shop is one solution, but if you’re looking for something a little less permanent, there are a variety of window shades that can be attached to the rear side windows as well as the rear window.

Wrap Around Mirror: To keep a better eye on your child, convex rectangular mirrors are available that can be attached underneath a vehicle’s regular rear view mirror. This allows for quick rearward glances without having to turn around or adjust the regular rear view mirror, which is much safer.

SEE ALSO: Elite Pad System Alerts Parent When Child is Left in Car

Headrest Mirror: In combination with the convex mirror up front, mirrors are available that can be attached to the rear seat headrests. This allows parents to see their infants while driving since their view is regularly blocked by the child safety seat itself.

Portable DVD Player/iPad: Children aren’t always good travellers and sometimes they need a distraction. A small portable DVD player or iPad can work to help keep your baby’s mind off of vehicle’s motion and hopefully lull them to sleep. These items come in a variety of configurations and can be attached to the vehicle in several ways.

Rubber Rear Floor/Trunk Mat: Finally, a lot of baby gear, especially strollers, can get messy. To keep a vehicle’s trunk or cargo area clean and pristine, many manufacturers as well as aftermarket companies offer rubberized mats that fit perfectly within a vehicle’s floor space. This will keep mud, liquids and food off of the vehicles carpet. Best of all, to clean the mat, simply pull it out and hose it down.