I've never had a car with a child observation mirror, nor seen the need for one - seems to increase the risk of unneccessary distraction.

Put children in a properly strapped seat - if they need attention, stop and deal with them.

Thanks, but I didn't ask for your opinions, I asked a specific question which neither of you have actually answered. Like you say, you don't know the circumstances around why I use it and glancing at a child for a second is no different from having my eyes off the road for the second that any driver glances in their rear view mirror.

Your comments sounds as though you actually think these mirrors are used to drive the whole journey staring at a child rather than looking where you are going.

Unless you can answer my specific question then please just scroll on and troll someone else instead.

Edited by bex145 on 03/09/2017 at 23:50

Thanks to all those with positive replies, all those other "perfect" drivers can bore off. Like Manatee, the reason for having a mirror is also following my daughter having a convulsion whilst strapped in her car seat and then having to be rushed to hospital by ambulance. It's mainly for my own peace of mind. Yes i will use it sometimes on a late evening on the way home from work to glance at them to make sure they aren't nodding off before getting home but for those who honestly believe I would sit staring at two toddlers and not looking where I'm going should really be looking at themselves. You are nothing but judgemental bullies who have just made an assumption without even asking any questions. You should be looking at the people who have thought before commenting or perhaps asked the question why it is used and take a leaf from their books.

And as for the "perfect professional drivers", Do you know how many dangerous van drivers I see on a daily basis or how many lorry drivers using IPad's, phones, laptops etc that can be seen reflecting on their screens whilst right up the backside of a full car or kids??

Just because they drive for a profession does not make them saints behind the wheel.

Briefly glancing in a mirror is far less dangerous than this and to be honest if it was that dangerous it would be made illegal.

Thanks to those with useful suggestions. I have found these buy your own mirrors but came across an older thread where people have said that due to the posistion of the windscreen and headrests you cant get it in a perfect place to see. You can only see the front headrests.

Basically, all I want to know is should the car come with one or was it optional?

Edited by bex145 on 04/09/2017 at 12:23

Hi Bex.

Spotted this overhead console on ebay. It seems to have the observation mirror. It's listed as fitting the S-Max. Don't know if it will fit your car. Hope this is of help.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1639557-Genuine-Ford-S-Max-Galaxy-Focus-C-Max-Overhead-Console-Assembly-/222616401015?epid=1709773873&hash=item33d4f8b477:g:t5QAAOSwXXxZRS0T

If you ask most parents, finding all the accessories to keep a baby safe and comfortable in the car is no mean feat and it will stretch your mind and pocket. You are not sure what to include and what to leave.

It’s a similar fate with baby car mirrors. You know it’s a regulatory requirement that kiddos should be carried in the appropriate age, weight and height specific baby car seat placed at the backseat. You also know infants should be in a rear facing car seat up to the age of about 2 years.

But it’s a common debate at homes, and among parent friends: do we or do we not use a baby car mirror?

Those against it will tell that in case it flies off in an accident, you have a dangerous projectile that will crash your baby’s head. That the scattering fragments will leave everyone with bruises and deep cuts, including pets. The scattering fragments will also tear your car upholstery.

They are those who find the mirror an unnecessary or dangerous distraction, what’s with the temptation to steal a glance into your LO reflection instead of concentrating on the road.

Let’s think about the many situations you find your baby when you leave him unmonitored for a dozen minutes. He or she gets hungry, soiled, bored, tired, and they may even get sick. A playful child may hurt himself on something, choke or sustain an injury, while a sleepy one may sleep hunched up, in a strained or precarious position.

Of course the child can’t help himself and sometimes they may not raise a signal that they need attention.

Going by this thought, my take is that the baby car mirror is a must-have item when on the road with your little one.

Even if you don’t have a backseat headrest, it's unadjustable or find it inappropriate, innovation has got you covered. We now have baby car mirrors that perfectly fit on the windscreen or sun visor.

Lacking the mirror would force you to keep on checking back to see your kid as you drive, thus trading one hazard for the other.

Another important fact to note is that the best mirrors are now made of acrylic plastic, equally or more reflective than your ordinary glass mirrors, and yet it cannot break into fragments under the strongest car crashes.

Needless to say that the reflective mirror will keep your baby entertained as he views himself in there. He also sees you in the mirror and gets reassured, thinking mummy is still with me. See, you get less yells until you reach your destination.

Edited by Avant on 09/05/2019 at 00:05

Hi

I would like to swap my child observation mirror for a sunglasses holder (fitted variety too small for my over sunglasses. Do you know the part number for the central positioned one?

Many Thanks

Tom