Do you let LO eat in the car?

MrsRyan61804

We were at walmart today and Jack was eating animal crackers when I went to put him the car I took them away and he freaked out! I am still not comfortable with him eating in the car where I won't be able to see if he is choking, or be able to get to him quickly if he is. He cried all the way home but I think that was better then risking it. 

Am I being to careful here? I know the day will come, but I'm thinking when he is forward facing? 

When did you feel comfortable with your LO eating in the car?

cjsbdl

Not at that age, but he does occasionally eat in the car now. Not as a regular thing, but if we're having a busy day and he needs to catch a snack in the car I'm fine with that. He's still rear-facing, but I usually give him bite-sized crackers in a snack trap so there's little choking hazard.

ela81

I still don't let Isabel eat in the car. Part of the reason is, I don't want the crumbs in my car also, she is still RF and I never could get the mirror right in my current car. If she was FF I may let her. I have let her have a Gerber cereal bar in the car if we are running late to speech or occupational therapy in the mornings.

At his age I would not have let him have them either. At least when they are crying you know they are breathing

sasa625

I do now, but I didn't until she was closer to 16ish months old (or unless I was sitting in the back with her on a long car trip). I only let her eat things that aren't really a choking hazard. Usually it's after daycare when she's starving and ready for a snack (and sees her leftover snacks when I'm carrying her bag to the car), if we're going a longer distance, or if we need to leave during a meal or snack time. If she's eating when I put her in the car, I usually either wait for her to finish or take it away. She also gets a paci in the car (she only gets it at bedtime otherwise), so she's usually content with that.

mrsolsenk12

I do since he is FF. I was not comfortable with it when he was still RFing.

leslie&brian

If I'm the only one in the car with him, I do not let him eat in the car. I'm still afraid of choking, and he is still RF. If DH is in the car with me, I'll let him eat small bite sized snacks knowing that DH can turn around and look at him, and make sure he isn't choking.

laura&dan05

No, I don't let dd eat in the car and she's 2.  I worry about her choking (she's still rf) and I don't want to deal with the mess.  DH and I don't eat in the car either.  We just did a 4 hour (one way) road trip with the kids over the weekend and none of us ate in the car.  We stop when it's time for a meal and dd slept or played with her toys.

I'm in the minority on this with my friends and on this board:)

MrsRyan61804

Ok good so I was not a bad mommy today!

Thanks for making me feel better! 

GreenEyedGal

Now that he's nearing 2, I'll occasionally let him if he's been munching on it and doesn't want it taken away. Depends on how long the drive is. At your LO's age, I was still too paranoid to risk it for the same reasons you listed.

SS091506

Oh yeah.  It keeps her happy.  My car is basically a travelling snack bar.

somethingchangd

SS091506:

Oh yeah.  It keeps her happy.  My car is basically a travelling snack bar.

Amen!  I know it's not a terribly popular opinion, but if we're in the car he almost always has something to munch on.  He doesn't always eat it, but crackers or even raisins are pretty much always on offer.  I don't remember when I started - probably between 10 months and a year?  He's still RFing, but I do have a mirror and we chat all the time, so I think I would notice if something went wrong.

keg

At his age, I didn't (although I would give them bottles in the car sometimes when they were old enough to hold their own).  I do now and my car and their carseats are generally crumby.  I'm not worried about them choking at this point and for me, I rather have some peace than a clean car.  :-)  BTW, my DDs are still rear facing. 

Million$$Baby

I wouldn't if my kids were your son's age - I think he's still a little young to be eating unsupervised. But I do let my kids eat in the car now. We have those gyro bowls and they're great because they really can't spill them. I give them snack in the car often (goldfish, cheerios, teddy grahams, etc.) if we're going to or from somewhere during their normal snack time. And it keeps them happy on long drive But I do find myself checking on them a lot while they're eating.

gringa78

leslie&brian:

If I'm the only one in the car with him, I do not let him eat in the car. I'm still afraid of choking, and he is still RF. If DH is in the car with me, I'll let him eat small bite sized snacks knowing that DH can turn around and look at him, and make sure he isn't choking.

This.  She does drink a bottle on her way to day care in the morning, but no cookies or crackers by herself.

JessandJeremy

I do if someone else is in the car. Other than that, I think I gave him a cracker once and was a nervous nelly the whole time.I'll feel better when he is FF I think.

ladychicago

I am going to try to avaid it whenever possible. Not so much for the choking issue (which is important, but I would only give foods with a very very low chance of choking anyhow), but because of the mess. I fed her a PB sandwich back there one time, and I am still finding crumbs. Blech. If I can avoid it, I will (but I know there will be times when we have to for one reason or another).