Best baby car safety products

Arguably the most important safeguard you can put in place for your baby while travelling is to select an appropriate car seat or booster seat for them. The best option for your little one will depend on factors such as their age and size, so it's important to do your research before making your selection. 

We won't get too in-depth in this piece about which options are best, as it would take over the entire article, but if you'd like some help choosing, check out our list of the best and safest baby car seats.

That said, coming in at under $200, our choice for overall best and safest baby car seat is the Safe-N-Sound Safekeeper II. Featuring an excellent 4.3-star rating for protection as a rear-facing seat and 3.8 stars as a forward-facing, this convertible car seat is suitable from birth up to four years of age, making it kind to your little one and your wallet.

While all baby car seats approved for use in Australia will have harnesses and straps that are able to keep your little one safe, they may not always be the most comfortable.

Babies are far more sensitive to irritants than adults (and even we like to make use of seat belt protectors) so it makes sense to fit your baby's harness with one as well.

Having said that, it is vital that you ensure that whichever option you have selected doesn't interfere with the safety benefits that your child's car seat provides.

When your baby is an infant, there will probably be headrests and neck supports built into their car seat. As they get older, however, you may find that these inbuilt safety functions are no longer suitable or available depending on the age of your child.

The good news is that it's entirely possible to purchase separate accessories that provide head and neck support for little ones.

When buying these kinds of items it is important to ensure that they are not too restrictive, and they do not inhibit your child's ability to move naturally.

The Aussie sun can be incredibly dangerous even for adults, so it stands to reason that it poses even more of a risk to babies. Because of this, it is vital that you find ways to protect your little one from harmful UV rays.

One of the quickest and easiest ways to do this is to install a sun shade for them. Not only will this help prevent sunburn and other issues that can arise from direct light, but it can also help keep your little one cooler on hot days.

Depending on where they're placed, mirrors within your vehicle can keep your baby safe in multiple ways.

The first and most important function that internal mirrors can offer is the ability to easily keep an eye on your child while driving. Not only does this mean you'll be able to react in a shorter timeframe if anything goes wrong, but it also makes you a safer driver, as you're not constantly turning around to check on your little one every time they make a noise that might be a bit concerning.

The installation of internal mirrors can also help keep your baby entertained looking at themselves. This makes them less likely to try to escape their car seat and therefore safer overall.

Travel trays may seem like they fall more under the entertainment category than the safety one (especially when you're getting your car set up for your nearest family member), but they're actually important for both.

If your little one has all of their belongings easily accessible, they're far less likely to try to lean out of or escape their car seat. This means that restraints will stay in the right place and helps prevent them from digging in.

It also means that your baby will be in the best position possible if you do end up in an accident.

The caveat to this one is that you want to select a soft, safe, travel tray and keep hard or sharp items well away from both your little one and their tray. You'll also need to ensure that their travel tray doesn't interfere with the functionality of their car seat.

While a sign in and of itself doesn't really provide a practical safety measure, the impact of displaying a baby on board sign can.

People tend to automatically be more careful when they know that small children are around, and this type of signage also highlights your vehicle as one they need to be particularly well aware of.

Finally, although not directly linked to the safety of your little one, having a fully stocked first aid kit in your car at all times is strongly advisable.

Remember that you will need baby specific inclusions now you have a little one, so it may be worth carrying a baby first aid kit in addition to your standard one.

With everything you need when it comes to your child’s needs, the St John Ambulance baby first aid kit is a must-have for travelling in the car with babies.