I've read several stories this year about kids being left in hot cars because their parents forgot they had them with them. There was a family in my community this happened to. The mom wasn't typically the one to drop off the baby at daycare and the change in routine threw her off. As busy as life gets, I can see how this happens 
How do you remind yourself that LO is in the car with you?
bananas / 9357 posts
I heard somewhere where someone used a teddy bear. The teddy bear sat in the car seat and when their kid was in the car seat, the teddy bear moved to the front seat. So it was a reminder to the parent that when they see the teddy in the front seat, their kid is in their car seat.
nectarine / 2127 posts
@mrbee: sadly she didn't make it. It was lunchtime before anyone realized she was still in the backseat of the car. I can't even begin to imagine the devastation her mom must feel. It was a tragic mistake that I think anyone could make
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts
I've heard that you should put your purse in the back seat with the baby. So when you get to work you'll have to grab your purse and be reminded that baby is back there.
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts
Also... Hubs texts me a picture of her at drop off EVERY morning. So if it was like 30 minutes late and I didn't have a pic yet I would call him to find out what's up.
GOLD / wonderful coffee bean / 18478 posts
DH used to do daycare drop off and I would have him text me as soon as he was done. If I didn't hear from him, I would call to check!
I just heard of an app that can remind you:
I read some other tips recently but I am drawing a blank. I think one of them was to put a stuffed animal or something in the passenger seat next to you as a reminder that there is a baby with you.
nectarine / 2127 posts
@mrskc: I've heard that too but LO is in the infant carrier for now so it'd be a little harder to do since we keep the infant car seat in the house and don't usually have a spare hand to take the bear to the car. But maybe he could sit next to the base so when I click LO in, the bear moves up front!
coconut / 8305 posts
@septemberlove: I would just keep the bear in the car... put it on the base so you have to move it when bebe gets put in the car!
We live in South Texas so this is a really really big thing for us to NOT forget... I know having our mirror helps, since I'll often peek on P when stopped at lights & such and even when she's not in the car so I always know.
It so incredibly sad how often this happens. My heart goes out for all the mommies & daddies that have & are experiencing this.
pear / 1992 posts
@septemberlove: That is a good idea, we still have LO in her infant seat at 8.5 months and I haven't really developed a habit like this.
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
@septemberlove: OMG, I can't even imagine. I don't think I would survive if I did that, even if an accident.
I haven't thought about this before. I always do drop off and pickup, but maybe I need to do the teddy bear just to be on the safe side. I do keep my purse and bags in the back, so if I did forget to drop her off I would see her in the back when I went to get them out.
honeydew / 7444 posts
Our car is small, and we usually have our/her bags in the back anyways, so it's unlikely we'd forget.
nectarine / 2750 posts
Right now I pretty much only leave the house if I am taking LO somewhere so I don't worry too much yet, but I saw this on the news last week. It was invented by a fifth grader!
http://m.now.msn.com/andrew-pelham-creates-e-z-baby-saver-from-rubber-band
squash / 13764 posts
Everyone should read this article. It is heartbreaking and scary, but makes you realize that this can happen to anyone.
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2009-03-08/news/36840402_1_courtroom-tissue-class-trip
cantaloupe / 6397 posts
Wow, that's so sad!!
I don't have a mechanism for this, but LO screams when the car stops moving so I've never been given the chance to forget she's in there...
pomelo / 5820 posts
@hilsy85: I was just going to post that!!
That article has haunted me for years. I think I would be unable to forget LO in the car just because of how heavily that article weighs in the back of my mind. It is such a frightening thought. Also, it seems so easy to do... especially if you're in a set routine and baby is sleeping. Ugh, the thought just makes me so sad and sick
pomelo / 5524 posts
I'm incredibly scared that this will be me one day. And I can absolutely see how it can happen. You're used to a routine, and you are out of your routine for one day and it can just happen. Especially if your child is sleeping in the seat.
We have a very convoluted child care schedule where pretty much every day is different. So I really have to stop and think about where S is every day. I really do like the stuffed bear idea though!
honeydew / 7586 posts
@autumnlove: I do this to! I carry a purse when I don't have LO and a diaper bag when I do have him.
So tragic when these stories happen! There was a recent death of an infant in Maryland, too.
pomelo / 5257 posts
@hilsy85: I was going to post the same article -- I remember reading it when it came out and being heartbroken. I just can't imagine.
ETA: That article is why it always sort of angers me when people say of these stories, "No way could that be an accident," or "that could NEVER happen to me" or "those parents were neglectful." I think when you're not mindful that something like this can happen to anyone, that's when it happens. It only takes one frantically busy morning for tragedy to happen, and that is scary.
papaya / 10473 posts
DH is friends with a couple that this happened to. The husband left their daughter in the backseat one day when he went to work. His daughter's daycare was downstairs from his office but he was just preoccupied. Now this is my biggest fear! I will probably drive our sitter crazy asking all the time but I can't help if when it hits so close to home for me.
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
@tlcbaby: That is awesome. I love a 5th grader came up with it.
@hilsy85: I am in tears after reading that.
cantaloupe / 6610 posts
I solo parent most of the time, so I am so used to being with LO 100% of the time that I just always assume she's with me! When we lived in FL there was a big media campaign about checking before you lock the car to see if baby is in there and it was weird to me, but I guess if you only have LO with you half the time, then it could be done.
My LO is also wild and very verbal. If she's not sleeping, she is babbling or squealing or "singing." Or crying! Or banging sophie against something, etc...
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
@hilsy85: bawling! I have a mirror over the top of the back of the seat, I look in it all the time to make sure LO is out of there. I will no be moving my purse to the backseat as well so this never ever happens.
coconut / 8475 posts
I am just devastated that this is even a reality in the world! I am so so saddened by the articles:'(
Being a parent is so tough.
honeydew / 7504 posts
The diaper bag always goes in the backseat with him, and I use that as my purse when he's with me.
bananas / 9357 posts
@hilsy85: I don't even think I can finish reading that story while at work b/c I want to break down and cry.
@septemberlove: so sad! leave the bear on top of the base like @runsyellowlites: suggested.
squash / 13764 posts
@mrskc: @LuLu Mom: @Smurfette: I cry every time I read it. My heart breaks for those parents and those poor children .
pomelo / 5524 posts
@hilsy85: Such a great article to post. It made me cry hysterically. These poor people. I can't imagine the guilt and grief they feel.
nectarine / 2771 posts
@hilsy85: Thanks for the article!
How incredibly sad. I think the worst part of the article was when the founder of the organization said that one baby girl pulled out all her hair before she died.
There was the recent story of the mom who was consumed with her own grief over one of her employees committing suicide, as well as being overwhelmed with planning for her daughter's first birthday party, that she forgot to drop her daughter off at daycare and the little girl died. She ended up having the funeral for her on the day that was supposed to be her first birthday party. Devastating.
Right now, we have a nanny who comes to our house so we don't ever take LO to any location where she's not with us. But, I am petrified of this happening to me or DH and it weighs on me greatly. I'll definitely have to come up with something if we ever switch to daycare!
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
I put my bag in the back when I drop off the girls. Such a sad scenario. It happens to doctors, lawyers, military personnel, the whole gamut of folks...
pomegranate / 3414 posts
There were two instances of this around where I live within a couple of months of each other about 4 years ago. Neither DD or DS are very quiet so that helps me not forget them. I put DD/DS' stuff in the front seat with me and if I get to work and it is still there then they are too. It helps that our babysitter will call/text if we haven't dropped the kids off within about a 30 minute window.
bananas / 9973 posts
@septemberlove: OMG this is making me tear up just thinking about it. I can see how it can happen to anyone. I guess since I'm a SAHM and have LO with me almost 100% of the time, it feels more weird when she's not with me. But this freaks me out at the thought of DH having her!
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