^^^^
Sure, I understand the good sense in looking after your newborn and your concern as parents. I was thinking more about how it might distract from driving and is consequently potentially dangerous for everyone in the car.
However, neither my ex-wife nor myself kept checking whether our children were still breathing when they were very young. But each to their own. Ironically our 4yo son stopped breathing and died when he was in my arms one day.
I think it's probably better with a newborn or very young baby, to have them in the front seat but facing backwards. They can have the natural reassurance of 'seeing' you and a glance is easier. Once I had a blow out at ~100 on the M1 in my BMW with baby daughter in the front. Wifey was fast asleep in the back and baby was asleep and neither knew what had happened! No harm done fortunately as I was able to cruise it to the hard shoulder.
My apologies anyway - I'm in a combative mood this evening.