baby on a road trip??

Question

I want to go home next yr to see my mom, problem is it will be too expensive to fly and to rent a car to drive baby around in.. He will be almost 1yr old by then.. The drive is around 30 hrs. Any experience in this, he's a really good baby, only cries when he's hungry or tired... Just wanted any advice..

Answer 1

I ,ve had a lot of experience traveling with children over long distances. I never had any real problems at all.
Seems the car just either put them to sleep or theirs times when they are just content to sit back and play with the few toys that you brought looking out the window now and then.
Don,t for get to allow him out at rest areas for a few mins. and really other than that I bet he,ll be fine.
I have friends who still travel via car long distence all the timw with their children.
I lived in one part of the country and drove across at least every couple months with my child to visit family.
My friends drive every month from fla to the north every month for buisiness with their daughter ,she almost one.
Another couple I know drives from the north to Fla for buisiness and pleasure ,sometimes every 2-3 weeks with their family. Its done all the time and I never hear of the children not taking the trip ok.
Pack toys and surprise them with a new one every now and then.
My family has T.V.s in their cars so that the children can watch a movie every few hours.
If he knows songs by then bring along a CD of his favorate songs.
If all else fails remember that mommy can also sit in the back seat with him when hes not doing well.
We used to drive straight through and the trips were about the same amount of time. Now that I,m older I,ll stop over ,then continue in the morning.

Answer 2

His personality will change dramatically between now and then, but no need to worry. We took my son who was 9 months on a pretty big trip two years ago. Your best bet is to start your trip around 4 or 5. Stop for dinner and then drive all night. Most likely the baby will sleep through the night...and will be happy to sit in the car for at least an hour after waking up. So you've knocked 14 hours of travel out in one night...get out and have some breakfast and get back in the car, drive for a little while and when he gets restless stop at a park and play for a half hour get back on the road and after you stop for lunch you and your hubby will be exhausted...stop at a hotel it will probbily be time for a nap for the baby too...stay in the hotel taking turns getting some sleep and entertaining the baby...jump back on the road when you two are rested and hopefully the baby will sleep through the night again. if you can't afford a hotel stay then stop at a park or a mall, take turns running the baby around while the other parent gets some rest.

Make sure you take:
plug covers...for the hotel, make sure the babies safe!
swimsuits...stop at a hotel with a pool
snacks..healthy snacks that will keep the baby busy
a pack and play...some hotes have them but they are not always up to code
favorite toys and blankets
new toys-even little one's from McDonalds...just keep them until you are ready to travel...it's a nice surprise to have lots of different toys
If possible get a traveling dvd player...I don't normally advocate tv, but there are always exeptions


If the baby needs to stop try to do it at a park or someplace the baby can play safely...picnics are great, you get to eat andthe baby gets to run!

Good luck, it's really not that bad

Answer 3

It would be better if you could get someone to go with you.
This will help. Someone could drive and the other could help feed and entertain the baby. DVD players work great also, but sometimes a one year old aren't interested in tv. Leave as early as possible to take advantage of her sleeping. She'll sleep a lot but it's going to take you more than 30 hrs. I would also suggest that when you decide to eat, I would let her get out (instead of going through drive thru's). At that time let her play, give her one on one attention and change her. Good luck

Answer 4

I took my 7 month old on a road trip and it was 5 hours. Just make sure that he has things to do in the car and when my son started to get fussy and confined we stopped so he could stretch out and move around a little. The best time to travel with a baby is to try and travel when it his bed time and he will sleep for the most part and you could get a lot of travel time in that way. Good luck.

Answer 5

My daughter did really well in the car when she was younger, but I've noticed that once she was cruising and now especially walking, that she doesn't like to be in the car very long. Babies need their exercise. 30 hours is a long car-ride. Be prepared to make plenty of stops - not just for feeding and diaper changes, but for son to stretch his legs a bit - at least once or twice. The only other thing I can suggest is to get a portable DVD player and plenty of DVD's to keep his attention. Good Luck!

Answer 6

When you stop to get gas, food etc. don't take him out every time! Only take him out of his seat when you will be stopped for a while or when he needs changing and stuff. If you keep getting him out he will get pissed quick and irritated! Is it possible for you to get a portable DVD player to put on the seat next to him(where he cant reach it but can watch it?) Also, I have found that if you put him in the middle seat you will have a better reach to give him toys cookies etc. Also, if he is in the middle he will be able to see what you are doing and he will see the cars in front of you which will add to his excitement. Also, if he is in the middle then you will be able to give him those huge baby crayons and paper and he will not be able to write on the windows and door. Keep different "goody bags" up front with you. When he starts getting fussy give him a "goody bag" In the goody bag put a toy and a snack. Make the goody bag a little hard to open as to give him more to concentrate on which will add to his sleep!

Answer 7

Well we went from Ohio to Florida...which doesn't look like a far drive but it's about twenty-six to thirty hours when my son was four months. He did very well and slept a lot of the way. Every one or two hours we would stop, take him out of the car seat, play or just let him stretch out. Although this lagged up our trip...it was important for him to be able to get out of the car seat. We also had plenty of toys for him to play with while he wasn't sleeping. We didn't let him choose what he played with and didn't play with them all at the same time. After he grew tired of one we would give him another. We also stopped after twelve hours and stayed at a hotel---nothing fancy probably more of a motel. Check out cheap places to stay online before you head out. That way you might only have to spent thirty or forty dollars on a motel. We weren't planning on it but we were both pretty tired. My husband is the only one who drives on the highway. Sit next to your son and play with him while your husband is driving ((and he's not sleeping)) or vice versa. It's not too hard...you just have to make the most of it. That's all I can think of. Good Luck!

Answer 8

Good question I have the same problem but my car ride would be only for 6 hours lol. I think the baby will be fine just make sure you stop a lot and get him out of the carseat and car make sure you give him fresh air and let him run around if he is walking by then most of the time he will be sleeping. Oh get one of them car t.v.s so you can put movies on for him so he wont be bored. Good luck

Answer 9

I would try to travel mostly when the baby is sleeping. By then the baby should be on a schedule. For a trip that long, I would try to make it a 2 or 3 day trip, especially if you are traveling alone. If you are traveling with your partner, than you may be able to make the trip straight through (with the exception of feeding stops and diaper changes). Just have one person in the back with the baby when he is awake to keep him occupied. On a trip that long, he is bound to get bored and cranky. Make sure to bring plenty of travel friendly toys.

Answer 10

My best advice...stop for breaks often. Even if it means making the trip longer. It will be more easier on you and your child will be less bored. He will probably sleep a lot of the way because babies tend to do that more in cars. I would say go for it. It may be a little stressful but will probably be worth it in the end.

Good luck!