Convertible Seats (sad stuff mentioned)

sweettwilight16 · May 2014

We are going to be installing C's new car seat soon, and I feel like all of the sudden I keep seeing stories pop up on FB about parents forgetting their sleeping babies in the car & them dying. It literally sounds like the worst nightmare ever, but I can also see how it happens- stress, lack of sleep, different routines, etc. Plus the convert. is rear facing & always in the car, so unless you have a mirror (I do), you would have no audio or visual cues if they're sound asleep.

I've been super emotional lately anyway & these stories have been stuck in my head. Does anyone use, or plan on using, any kind of reminder? I will probably throw my bag on the backseat floor & told DH he should put his wallet or something back there.

Sorry for sounding so paranoid! Just needed to vent/talk about it.

Aunt Edna · May 2014

We put wallets/purses in the back seat and send each other a text once the girls are dropped off. If a text isn't sent then the other calls or texts to make sure everything is okay. Our daycare also has cameras so I can make sure the girls are there in case DH forgets to text. It is so tragic and I will never say it couldn't happen to us. Sleep deprivation and changes in routine can throw even the best parents off.

sleepy33 · May 2014

We had one of these deaths occur in my state last year. I had never heard of it happening before, and I was really overwhelmed by it. I found this article in reading up on it. WARNING: It is graphic. I read it, and made my husband read it. It sticks with you...it haunts you. I will always be vigilant about this sort of thing, in large part due to reading this article.

https://www.pulitzer.org/works/2010-Feature-Writing

sleepy33 · May 2014

Charlie1178 said:

We have a mirror, too, so I'm constantly checking on him back there. And I usually have the diaper bag in the front seat next to my purse, also.

I'm so unbelievably paranoid about this happening. We're in Phoenix, so if a baby is left in a car, they pass away quickly. I have absolutely no reason to not trust the family members that take care of DS when I'm at work, I just cannot stop thinking about this happening. Ugh.

Do you mean the back seat?

Lesley0228 · May 2014

The stories are coming it because it's summer and it's brought up as an issue then. I'm always happy to see media attention to the issue because it is such a serious concern. Leaving your child can happen so easily and with summer temperatures they could die very quickly. If I'm alone with the kids in the car I put my purse in the backseat between the carseats. My mom watches them and would be calling if I didn't drop them off in the morning. Since DH rarely picks up the kids, I always check in with him about the time they should be getting home.

stephl3055 · May 2014

I always take LO to daycare in the morning, but I put my laptop bag and lunch next to her in the backseat. So even if I did forget to drop her off, I would notice when I got to work.

For pickup, we alternate. So if DH or I walked in the house sans baby, the other would notice.

If I'm out by myself with her, her bag is in the front seat next to my purse. I never take her bag with me unless she is with me.

jennlin · May 2014

i don't like to put stuff in the backseat because it's dangerous (so are mirrors) in the event of an accident. i put all my stuff in the trunk, including my cellphone, which forces me to walk to the back of the car after i get out. also helps prevent texting and driving...which if i forget to put in the back, i'm really bad about.

ballygirl · May 2014

I usually keep my wallet and phone in the diaper bag, so, seeing the bag will be a reminder that I have babies with me. But - I did once, almost forget to finish strapping Lizzy into the convertible seat. I put her in there and then Haley was freaking the f out in the kitchen (garage is right next to the kitchen). It was the first week with the convertible seats and it took me awhile to get the hang of it. So I just did the chest slasp real quickly on Lizzy so she didn't pull herself forward, and went to get Haley thinking I'd just finish strapping Lizzy in after I got Haley. I was at the end of the driveway before I realized I had forgotten to finish getting Lizzy's straps done. Lesson learned - I now completely buckle in one before getting the other, even if the other is having a complete meltdown.

SHAWNACPA · May 2014

It is scary to think about. I put all bags, including my purse in the back seat.

sweettwilight16 · May 2014

Yeah, I do think it's good that the issue is getting attention. I honestly never thought about how easily it could happen until I read the article. It was just one of those disturbing things that stuck with me. I actually unfollowed the Huff Post Parents page for now- I love most of what they post, but I need a break from the sad baby stories! Too many feels happening.

LC122 · May 2014

sleepy33 said:
We had one of these deaths occur in my state last year. I had never heard of it happening before, and I was really overwhelmed by it. I found this article in reading up on it. WARNING: It is graphic. I read it, and made my husband read it. It sticks with you...it haunts you. I will always be vigilant about this sort of thing, in large part due to reading this article.

https://www.pulitzer.org/works/2010-Feature-Writing

I read this article awhile back. It is really haunting. I think about the stories in it far too often.

sooner1981 · May 2014

dknight413 said:

sleepy33 said:

We had one of these deaths occur in my state last year. I had never heard of it happening before, and I was really overwhelmed by it. I found this article in reading up on it. WARNING: It is graphic. I read it, and made my husband read it. It sticks with you...it haunts you. I will always be vigilant about this sort of thing, in large part due to reading this article.

https://www.pulitzer.org/works/2010-Feature-Writing

This article just traumatized me for life. My husband is a diligent businessman/doting father who also works in Herndon. And now he is never, ever, ever, EVER dropping LO off at daycare. Ever.

Ever.

But that is the thing--it can happen to anyone!!

We do the purse/wallet in the backseat thing as extra insurance against this horrible tragedy. I, too, was traumatized for life by reading that article--but hopefully it saves lives.

Phalaenopsis · May 2014

sleepy33 said:

We had one of these deaths occur in my state last year. I had never heard of it happening before, and I was really overwhelmed by it. I found this article in reading up on it. WARNING: It is graphic. I read it, and made my husband read it. It sticks with you...it haunts you. I will always be vigilant about this sort of thing, in large part due to reading this article.

https://www.pulitzer.org/works/2010-Feature-Writing

...... Sending to my husband now............ Thx for posting. I am sick to my stomach after reading it but my husband needs to be aware.

catycate · May 2014

I read that article when DS was a baby and it seriously haunts me. I think of it often and read it every summer.

CateOfChicago · May 2014

No way am I reading that article. You have all scared me. And I will now be putting my purse in the back. I haven't been doing it.

kellyk17 · May 2014

OMG, this is so freakin scary, I had never heard of it. I wouldn't complain every again about lugging DD on the bus to and from daycare. Someone will say something if I leave her on the bus.....

MargaretC5 · May 2014

I keep loose objects out of the back seat, just in case I have to stop suddenly I don't want the objects to hit DS. One of the babies books I read suggested keeping a stuffed animal in the car seat when LO is not in it and putting the stuffed animal in the front seat when LO is in the car seat. The stuffed animal would be a reminder to have you LO with you.
I could not imagine having something like this happen.

calibr8te · May 2014

@sleepy33: Thanks for posting that article. That's a hard read but definitely gets you thinking about the importance of taking things one step at a time, and double checking your actions.

@MargaretC5: I like this stuffed animal idea. I keep my bag in the back seat but always feel guilty because I know that there should not be any loose items in the vehicle. I think I am going to adopt this method.

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