While creating my baby registry, I tried to think through everything I’d need to prepare my car for our new baby.
Car seat? Check, but what else?
Here’s a complete list of baby car essentials you’ll want to add to your registry or have ready shortly after bringing your baby home.
The Main Baby Car Essentials
1. Car Seat
This essential really goes without saying. Do your research on these, as there are many options out there.
We started with the Chicco Bravo LE Travel System until our little one outgrew the car seat(maximum is 30 lbs or 30 inches, whichever is reached first), then transitioned to the Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Extend All-in-One Rotational Car Seat, which is suitable for babies from 4 lbs to 120 lbs and converts to a booster seat for older kiddos.
2. Car Seat Protector
This is something you’ll want to consider early on, especially before the damage happens.
A car seat protector is less for your baby’s car seat and more for the upholstery on your vehicle. Your child will spend SEVERAL years either in a car seat or booster seat, so you’ll want to protect your car from any unwanted impressions.
3. Retractable Sun Shade
Some newer vehicles already have these built-in, but if you’re a part of most of the crowd, these are essential to purchase separately.
These retractable sun shades help shield that bright sun from hitting your little one in the face. This is a fan favorite for those long car rides where an undisturbed nap helps everyone out.
TIP: Make sure your back seat windows are locked when using this item, otherwise your sun shade will be on the side of the road.
4. Backseat Mirror (or Camera)
This gives me extra peace of mind to have my eyes laid on my little one, especially while my baby is still rear-facing.
I personally prefer a mirror so I can not only see my baby, but so my baby can see me. The backseat mirror that I’ve linked above is the easiest mirror to install that I’ve seen. It’s much easier to install and adjust a mirror that attaches to the metal headrest bars, not just strapped to the headrest cushion.
If you have multiples, though, cameras may be more convenient for you.
Essential Accessories
5. Sound Machine
If your baby has difficulty falling asleep in the car from the sound of driving alone, a sound machine can help. Our little one usually tends to wake up when the car comes to a halt. A sound machine keeps baby asleep during stops and maintains consistent white noise.
6. Car Seat Strap Covers
We had a set of these included in our infant’s car seat. I thought only one set of these would suffice, but we quickly realized how multiple sets came in handy. Especially during times of teething (LOTS of drool), you’ll realize how gross one set of these can get.
7. Car Seat Alarm (Safety Essential)
This may not be at the top of most people’s list, but it definitely should be.
Historically, over a thousand children have died by accidentally being left in hot cars, and another roughly 7,500 children have survived with heat stroke-related injuries. An extreme majority of these were not purposeful and were caused by accidentally forgetting to drop a child off at daycare, a relative’s house, and other related incidents.
Our car seat uses a built-in sensor by SensorSafe an integrated car seat technology that sends reminders to your phone if various conditions occur. Read more about our experience with SensorSafe. These conditions include extreme temperatures and detection of whether a child is left unattended in a stationary vehicle for a certain amount of time.
SensorSafe doesn’t sell their product individually yet, but using a child reminder alert system, such as Clever Elly, helps add that extra reminder to check your backseat. This product plugs into a cigarette lighter and is prompted to send a verbal reminder to “check the back seat” anytime the car engine is off and the door is opened.
Users who have a newer model vehicle may also need to use the included free door sensor, as the engine in newer models may not automatically cut off right away and prompt the verbal cue in time.
8. Baby Carrier
This is a baby car essential that we keep in the car permanently (we have a separate from the one that we use around the house). Sometimes, we don’t know if we would prefer an infant carrier or the stroller, so we take both and decide when we get there!
We all know (or soon will know) that feeling when your little one accidentally tosses that toy in the floor of the car while you’re driving. Now your baby isn’t content, you’re driving, and that toy was your saving grace.
We like using toys like this one that can’t get tossed outside of baby’s reach on on the floor. It stays attached to the seat, so there’s no escaping toys or fussy babies.
10. Baby Restaurant Kit
This will be a post that is coming soon!
11. Car Seat Buckle Release Tool
If you tend to have longer fingernails or limited dexterity in your fingers, a buckle release tool will be sure to save you a headache.
12. Car Emergency Kit
Keep reading to find our baby emergency kit essentials that we keep in the car.
Baby Car Emergency Kit Essentials
While this encompasses multiple essentials, having the most-needed necessities in an easily accessible kit makes life a lot easier. Our emergency kit is tailored to our infant, so the contents will change as our little one grows. Emergency kits that are bin-style organizers or seat organizers seem to be the most easily accessible styles. In our infant emergency kit, we keep:
- Diapers and wipes
- A changing pad for diaper changes
- Disposable diaper sacks
- At least one change of clothes for baby(maybe two if you tend to live in an area with frequent temperature fluctuations)
- A change of clothes for yourself
- An extra blanket
- Diaper rash cream
- Extra burp cloths
- A wet bag (for soiled or wet clothes)
- A stroller fan
- A towel
- Disinfecting wipes
- Bandages or a mini first-aid kit (visit my 19 infant first aid essentials to get some ideas!)
Essentials to Avoid Leaving in your Car
While the below items are bound to be used while on the go, some items shouldn’t be exposed to extreme temperatures. This can cause ingredients to break down and become less effective, or batteries to break down faster. The list of items below should be kept in your diaper bag where they are taken inside your home.
- Sunscreen (especially in aerosol cans)
- Insect repellant or bug spray
- Medicines, especially those in gummy or liquid forms
- Formula
- Portable bottle warmer (Learn about my favorite bottle warmers here!)
Closing Thoughts
Getting your car ready for your baby doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Having the right baby car essentials on hand can make everyday outings smoother, safer, and much less stressful.
As your baby grows, your needs may change, so don’t be afraid to adjust what you keep in your car.
A little preparation goes a long way when it comes to traveling with your baby. Hopefully, this list of car essentials for baby helps you feel more confident and ready for wherever the road takes you.