Having a new baby is an exciting time, and it's also a time when big changes typically have to be made. If you're like most new parents, you priorities have changed and you put your little one first whenever you make decisions, big or small. One important consideration is getting behind the wheel when your infant is in tow. Here are some things you can do to create car comfort and safety for your baby while you're on the road.

Get the Windows Tinted

A great way to protect your little one from UV rays and to ensure that the sun doesn't irritate their sensitive eyes is to get the windows of your vehicle tinted. Most window tints will block out 99 percent of ultra violet rays so they never touch your baby. And tinted windows can help keep the interior of your car cooler on hot sunny days so everyone inside stays comfortable.

There are do-it-yourself tinting rolls available on the market, but it can be tough to keep air bubbles from forming when you apply them. To maintain a seamless look and ensure optimal protection for the interior of your vehicle, your best bet is to hire a window tinting professional to get the job done.

Put a Small Sign in the Vehicle

Letting all the other drivers around you know that there is a baby in your vehicle may encourage them to stay a safe distance away and even give you a little more room than is typical on the road. You can let everyone know that an infant is traveling with you by putting a little sign on your vehicle that can easily be seen.

Some ready-made signs come with suction cups attached to them so you can quickly and easily apply them to a window, and others are designed as bumper stickers. You can always design your own sign, print it, and have it laminated. If anything, your sign will remind people to be a little more careful on the road.

Verify Proper Installation of the Car Seat

Believe it or not, 7 out of every 10 car seats are not installed properly in vehicles. Of course, it's a good idea to thoroughly read the instructions that come with your car seat so you can make the best use of its specific features. You should use a rear-facing car seat until your little one is a year old, and always put it in your backseat. Once you've connected the seat to your vehicle's car seat tethers, make sure that the belts aren't twisted and pull lightly on them to make sure that there isn't any slack.

When putting your infant in the car seat, make sure that they're entire body lays comfortably against the seat by moving blankets, toys, and bottles out of the way. Make sure that the car seat's harness is even with your baby's armpits and shoulder blades. After making sure that the harness is secured with no more than a finger's worth of slack, you can bundle your baby up with jackets and blankets on top of the car seat if necessary.

Travel With Soft-Surfaced Toys

Any toys that you provide your little one to enjoy while you're traveling on the road should have soft surfaces to minimize the risk of injury from the toys in case you're faced with a situation that could cause the toys to fly around the vehicle, like being in a fender bender or having to stop quickly.

Avoid rattles and other plastic toys and opt for toys like stuffed animals and soft books designed for babies to chew on. It's a good idea to make sure that nothing with hard surfaces, like sunglasses and CD cases, is left strewn in your vehicle while you're driving too.

These safety tactics will protect your little one in a variety of situations, and will give you some peace of mind – especially during those long road trips. 

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