The ‘getting there’ part of the travel experience is probably the single most common aspect of the trip which parents dread the most.

If you are travelling with a baby you should fined this relatively easy, as often baby will fall asleep due to the motion of the journey, and if not she can be easily amused with simple visual toys or cards.

If you are travelling with a toddler, the journey will undoubtedly bore them and you will have a restless little soul on your hands before long. Following some simple tips will make the journey considerably less stressful for all involved.

Tips for car travel:

1. Leave before or after the traffic. Probably the oldest tip in the book, but the oldest and best tip for a reason. Not only will you avoid potentially stressful traffic jams, but you can potentially complete most; if not all; of the journey before your child even wakes up.

2. Try to plan for stops approximately every two hours. This will allow you time for any toilet stops, nappy change, feeding, or for your toddler to run around and release some energy. It also allows the driver the necessary time to recharge batteries.

3. If driving during the day, make sure you have a sunshade in the window or windows where your child/children are sitting. Direct sunlight even through a car window can be potentially dangerous to a young child, and will cause restlessness and discomfort to older children.

4. The use of a Baby on Board sign in encouraged to alert other drivers to show additional caution on the road, and is therefore recommended. If driving at night, using a lit up baby on board sign is recommended.

5. Attach a rear view mirror so that you can see your child without needing to turn around. This idea can not be stressed enough as the majority of accidents with children in the car will occur as parents become distracted by their children.

6. Use a car seat companion for older toddlers. You can store all your child’s favourite toys as well as some distracting games within the car seat. This will ensure your child is not trying to escape from the seat to get to out of reach items.

7. Make sure you pack a day bag which includes all your essentials: nappies, wipes, milk, snacks, a beaker of cool water, muslin cloths, a change of clothing etc.

8. Prepare warm bottles when driving if required. Plug in bottle warmers are available which can heat a bottle in less than 10 minutes simply by plugging into any vehicle lighter. When you stop to feed baby, having a warm bottle already prepared will save you lots of time searching around in a service station for suitable facilities.

9. If travelling in a hire car in a hot country, always make sure your car has fully functioning air conditioning. Check it before driving away.

10. If travelling when pregnant make sure your seat belt is placed underneath your belly. The use of the bump belt is advised.

Product Recommendations:

Sunshine Solar Max Sun Shades

Simply do not leave home without one if you are planning a long car journey during the summer months. Also an essential item to secure your child’s comfort should you be renting a car abroad.

Side Rider

Have all your toddler’s essentials for a journey: Snacks; food; toys; games etc; organised and close by for your toddler for those long journeys.

Sunshine Kids Warm n Go Bottle warmer

Simply plug into the vehicle’s lighter socket to warm food and bottles in less than ten minutes.

Sunshine Kids See Me Mirror

Make sure you do not turn around when driving to observe your child. By using the easy view mirror you can check your child throughout the journey using your own rear view mirror.

The Baby Safe Bump Belt

Keeps the seat belt in the correct position providing maximum support for your unborn child.

Clippasafe baby on board sign

A baby on board sign that reverses to show child on board for when your infant gets older.

Car fire extinguisher

If the worst were to happen, being prepared with a car fire extinguisher may buy you the valuable seconds to safely remove your young child from the car.