Are you going on a road trip this year?
Whether you are exploring Ireland on a little staycation, or taking the ferry to the continent for an epic road trip holidays, travelling by car as a family can be so much fun!
And yes, sure, you might be inundated with ‘are we there yet’ questions and there might be a few backseat sibling battles that will need breaking up, but honestly, as someone who has driven from Ireland to Scandinavia on several occasions with my own two children in the back, road trips with the family is the best!
However, to make it more enjoyable for everyone, there are some things to keep in mind before you set off.
For instance, making sure you have packed some books and toys that are within easy reach is a must. The same is making sure you have taken a look at the map and know where your next stop can be, whether it is to charge your car or let anyone who needs to use the bathrooms.
But an expert has now also shared a warning she reckons all parents should be aware of when it comes to going on road trips with kids.
Taking to TikTok, a pediatrician has shared the number one thing she does not recommend kids are allowed to do while in a moving vehicle and honestly, this makes so much sense.
Why kids should not eat in the car
The pediatrician, who is known on TikTok as Ask Bubbie, reminds parents that eating in the car presents a major choking risk for children, especially younger children, and the safest thing is to always stop when anyone are hungry and needs to eat.
@ask.bubbie Young children are at risk. #toddlers #babies ♬ original sound – Ask Bubbie
The pediatrician and grandmother explains:
‘It is so tempting, when you have a child in the car, and you want to keep them occupied, to sometimes give them some food. But I am here to say please don’t do that.’
The expert added:
‘I don’t like it ever when kids eat in the car.’
She goes on to explains that while she never recommends children eating while in the car, it becomes a little bit less dangerous when they are a little older, and front facing at least.
‘When they are front-facing, and when there are other people in the car, you can at least reach them.’
But, she warns, this is still not ideal, and in general, food should be avoided while in the car. Especially so, the pediatrician warns, when your children are still rear-facing in their car seats.
‘Never, ever feed your kids when they are rear-facing in the car, and you can’t reach them. That is when they can really get into trouble.’
Please don’t let kids eat in their car seats
The pediatrician grandmother is not the only one who wants parents to know just how dangerous it can be to let kids eat in the car.
Taking to Instagram, a US doctor who goes by Dr Niky on social media, shared the following warning to parents:
The medical expert asks parents:
‘Eating when driving is already a big risk, so why would you give them food at all when travelling in a vehicle and significantly increase choking risk?’
She added:
‘Do not let your kids eat while you are driving, and this goes for any food, but especially the higher risk foods, of course.’
So not eating when driving, parents!
