Car seatbelt in pregnancy

Video clip for car travel/seat belt use. Parenting.About.com

Car Safety

Reminder - not only do you need to put your baby in a proper restraint when driving, adults in the car need to buckle up too.

Several important reasons for this:

• You will be safer and reduce the risk your children may be orphaned
• Your child learns by example and seeing you buckle up EVERY TIME will show your child that this is important
• You don't want to be the flying object that harms your child in an accident
• If you are pregnant, you could save the life of your unborn baby (estimates are 200 per year would be saved in this country with correct and consistent seatbelt use)
  

You may have wondered if pregnant women should buckle up. Yes! preferably with a combination lap/shoulder belt. The lap belt should be across your hips, below the abdomen and as high as possible over the thighs. The shoulder belt should cross between the breasts and to the side of the abdomen; snug, but not directly across your stomach. Some seat belts are adjustable to allow correct use.

Air bags should not be turned off in pregnancy. To be safe, you should move the seat back as far as possible and tilt the seat to get some distance between your belly and the steering wheel or dashboard and you still need a seatbelt, even with air bags.

Click the post title to read more about safe traveling from familydoctor.org.

Remember that infant car seats must be no older than five years. (corrected by Safe Kids Utah ~ 6 years). The reason is that the plastic breaks down with temperature extremes and even minor impact accidents and they are not as sturdy and safe after this expiration date. See comments below and check out the website for Safe Kids Utah for more information.

Babies R Us is having a trade-in event where you can trade your old items for a 25% off coupon for new. Check it out here.