SHE SAYS...

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31831, 8 November 1968, Page 9

SHE SAYS...

Many aspects of training young children can never begin too early in life, and training in car-travel is one. A restless infant can often be lulled into sleep by the motion of the car. But make sure that the infant is comfortably positioned for the journey. To be jostled and rolled about is not conducive to sleep or comfort for any passenger, no matter what size or age.

Carry-cots for the small infant come in various sizes —check the measurements of your car doors and the width of the seats, preferably before buying the carry-cot! Usually the back seat of the car gives the most room and the greatest safety. Ideally the cot should be placed so the child is lying parallel with the line of travel. The cot should be kept level by placing a rug or cushion under it if the slant of the seat is great.

With the cot positioned In this way the child is safer in a sudden stop, and there is far less chance of the baby rolling about under braking and acceleration than if the cot is sideways to the line of travel.

But not all cars, particularly later models, have sufficient room for this to be practical. The important thing, however, is to make sure that the cot cannot tip or fall into the footwell in a sudden stop. It must be wedged firmly, and the child must be tucked in firmly —do not forget that a young infant can easily roll on its face and smother.

Parents with young children should still be able to enjoy their motoring over both short and long distances if they accustom their child to travelling at an early age. Such an early training programme can also help prevent travel sickness later on.