In the car

If you’ve got a car, you must have a safety restraint right from the start, even coming home from the hospital. It’s very dangerous to carry your baby in your arms, and illegal if you are in the front seat. The best way for your baby to travel is in a rear-facing infant baby restraint (car seat) either on the front or back seat. This is held in place by the adult safety belt. Make sure it’s correctly fitted. Do not place a rear-facing infant baby restraint in the front passenger seat if your car is fitted with an air bag.

Do not buy a secondhand car seat as it may have been damaged in an accident. Look for European Standard number R44/03 when you buy.

Information provided by Health Promotion England