Travelling by car with a baby takes a bit of preparation. Whether for everyday trips or long journeys, certain accessories have become essential to guarantee the child's safety and comfort. Here's an overview, from mandatory basics to more modern accessories that genuinely make parents' lives easier.
The car seat: the essential piece of equipment
The car seat is the most important piece of equipment for transporting a baby by car. It's mandatory from the moment you leave the maternity ward and must be suited to the child's age and weight.
Infant models are generally designed to be installed rear-facing — the position recognised as safest for the first few months. Prices vary by brand and fixing system, generally between €80 and €400.
Even though this equipment represents a certain budget, it is the main safety element for baby in the car. It's the one thing you never skimp on.
The sunshade to protect baby from the heat
On summer journeys or in bright light, a sunshade is a simple but very useful accessory. It protects baby from direct sun and stops them being dazzled during the journey.
A well-placed sunshade limits the heat inside the cabin.
Sunshades generally attach to the rear windows and are easy to fit. They're among the most affordable accessories, usually priced between €10 and €25. A small investment that noticeably improves baby's comfort.
The baby mirror to keep an eye on the child
The baby mirror is often one of the first accessories added after the car seat. It lets the driver see their rear-facing child via the interior rear-view mirror.
Easy to fit, the mirror remains a simple, affordable solution — generally between €15 and €30.
However, visibility depends heavily on light levels and viewing angle. At night or in bad weather, it becomes hard to clearly see baby. This is exactly what a baby car camera solves.
The baby car camera: a modern, reassuring piece of equipment
Among the most recent baby car equipment, the baby monitoring camera is winning over more and more parents.
The Babeecam camera fixed at the back and connected to a screen at the front.
This system consists of a camera fitted near the car seat and a screen placed at the front of the vehicle. The image is visible at all times, letting you check that everything's fine without having to turn around.
Babeecam is a camera specially designed for this purpose. It lets you keep an eye on a rear-facing baby with a single glance. The screen offers clear visibility day and night thanks to night vision.
This type of equipment brings real peace of mind during journeys, particularly for new parents. Baby car cameras are generally priced between €39 and €150, depending on features.
Babeecam is also one of the original gift ideas that can be added to a baby registry. See the Babeecam range →
Handy accessories for long journeys
Some accessories aren't essential, but quickly become very useful when journeys are frequent.
Organiser, seat protector, blanket: the small everyday extras.
A seat protector protects the seat from shoe marks or rubbing from the car seat. It generally costs between €10 and €30.
Seat organisers let you keep wipes, toys, or bottles within reach. They make things easier to organise on the go — expect to pay between €15 and €35.
A light blanket or a small car-adapted sleeping bag can also improve baby's comfort during journeys — handy for early morning departures or evening returns.
Budget summary
| Equipment | Budget | Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Car seat | €80 - 400 | Yes (mandatory) |
| Baby car camera | From €39 | Highly recommended |
| Sunshade | €10 - 25 | Very useful |
| Baby mirror | €15 - 30 | Optional |
| Seat organiser | €15 - 35 | Handy |
| Seat protector | €10 - 30 | Optional |
Equipment to choose based on how you use it
Not all parents have the same needs. Some families use their vehicle every day, while others mainly use it for weekends or holidays.
Equipping your car properly means more peace of mind on every journey.
The important thing is to equip yourself gradually with genuinely useful accessories. The car seat remains the foundation, but additional equipment like a baby car camera considerably improves comfort and safety.
Modern solutions bring an extra level of monitoring that makes journeys calmer, day and night.
Travelling calmly with baby
Having the right equipment helps reduce stress and anticipate baby's needs during journeys. Between the essentials and more innovative accessories like Babeecam, there are now many solutions to improve the child's safety and comfort.
Well thought-out equipment lets parents focus on driving while keeping a reassuring eye on their child — for safer, more pleasant journeys.
Sources
- Sécurité Routière (France) — securite-routiere.gouv.fr
- NHTSA — Car Seats and Booster Seats
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- European Commission — Road Safety
- Consumer Reports — ADAC
- UFC-Que Choisir