The best type of car for getting your kid off to sleep – and exactly how long it should take

NEW research has revealed the best type of car for getting your kid off to sleep - and exactly how long it should take.

In a study of 2,000 UK parents with babies and young children, 56 per cent of those with an electrified vehicle said their child found it either as easy or easier to nod off compared to petrol or Diesel models.

According to the latest research by Citroën,  just 11.9 per cent said an electrified vehicle made it harder to get their children off to sleep.

Meanwhile 15.8 per cent were unsure either way. 

Nearly half (44 per cent) of all the parents surveyed said they had taken their child on a short car journey specifically to help them fall asleep.

The research also highlighted how effective using a car can be to help kids have a snooze, with the data showing that on average it takes a child 16½ minutes to fall asleep in a car, with 96 per cent of parents saying their child typically falls asleep in 30 minutes or less.

The top factors that parents felt were most beneficial in helping babies and young children fall asleep on a car journey, were the gentle movements of the vehicle on the road (46 per cent), a comfortable in-car temperature (41 per cent) and a comfortable car seat (40 per cent). 

More than a third of parents (34 per cent) said they find a smooth drive to be the most important factor to help their child nod off.

Eurig Druce, Citroën UK’s Managing Director, said: “For new parents, getting their baby off to sleep is often a challenge. 

“Taking a child for a short drive in a car is a tried and tested method for many parents, and our research shows it can help younger children fall asleep quicker than at home. 

“The smooth and silent drive from electric vehicles creates an even more calming environment for children and parents alike. 

“Citroën is committed to offering an electrified variant of every vehicle in the range by 2025. 

“So, everyone can rest assured, our models will continue to provide a calm and relaxing experience for the whole family for many years to come.”