Rear-facing car seats are the safest way for babies and young toddlers to ride, and they come with one small downside: from the driver's seat you can't see your baby at all. Every cry leaves you wondering whether it's a dropped pacifier, spit-up or just boredom.
A back-seat mirror lets you check with a glance at your rearview mirror. Here's how they work, what to look for and how to use one safely.
What a baby car mirror does
The mirror hangs on the back-seat headrest facing your rear-facing baby. When you look in your rearview mirror, you see the reflection of your baby's face in it. It's not for watching them the whole drive. It's for quick checks when you're stopped or the road is clear.
Do you need one?
Not every family does. They tend to be most useful if:
- You often drive alone with your baby
- Your baby is rear-facing in the back seat
- You're a nervous new parent (completely normal) who wants a quick way to check in
If there's usually another adult in the back seat, you may not miss it.
What to look for
- A headrest mount. It should attach to the vehicle's rear headrest, never to the car seat itself.
- Something lightweight with an acrylic mirror rather than glass.
- A soft frame rather than hard plastic edges.
- A mirror big enough to see your baby's face clearly from the driver's seat.
The Glance back seat car mirror has a soft plush animal frame and an acrylic mirror. It hooks around the rear headrest posts with two plastic links. The giraffe style measures 11 by 8.3 inches with a 5.5-inch mirror, and it also comes as an elephant, zebra or bear.
How to set it up
- Choose the seat. Hang the mirror on the headrest of the seat your rear-facing baby faces.
- Attach it to the headrest posts, not to the car seat, and pull it snug.
- Peel off the protective film on the mirror.
- Sit in the driver's seat and adjust the angle until you can see your baby's face in your rearview mirror.
- Check that it's still snug before each drive, and re-tighten as needed.
Use it without getting distracted
A mirror is only helpful if it doesn't pull your eyes off the road. Glance only when you're stopped or the road is clear, the same way you'd check any mirror. If your baby needs real attention, pull over somewhere safe.
Other small things that help car rides
- Keep a small kit within reach of the front seat: wipes, a spare pacifier and a burp cloth.
- Skip bulky coats under the harness. Buckle first, then add a blanket on top.
- Use shades on the rear windows on sunny days.
Questions parents ask
Are baby car mirrors safe?
Choose a lightweight mirror with a soft frame that attaches securely to the vehicle headrest, never the car seat, and check it before each drive. Only glance at it when it's safe to do so.
Can I use a car mirror with a forward-facing seat?
Mirrors are designed for rear-facing babies. Once your child faces forward, you can usually see them in your regular rearview mirror.
How long will we use one?
For as long as your child rides rear-facing. Glance is listed for ages 0 to 6.
See more gear for days out in our On the Go collection, or read our toddler travel packing list.
