A 3 day drive (each way) with a 9 month old?? HOW???

Question

Hello, all. I'd appreciate some help. My husband is in his AIT training for the army, and his Christmas leave (2 weeks) may be his only chance to see his family before we leave for Germany in a few months. So, of course, I agreed that we could go see them over the holiday. Well... the bad news is...

They live in Utah, and we're in Georgia. It's a 3 day drive, maybe even 4 if we drive slow or stop very often. Our son, Jack, is 9 months old and hates being in the car for any length of time. We have just enough money to make the drive safely, so we can't afford to fly or anything like that.

Any tips on keeping Jack entertained and happy while we drive?

Thanks!

No way his parents can help us afford a plane, and we can't just drive at night. David and I plan on stopping to sleep (in the car) for a few hours at a time (we don't have enough for a hotel) and driving as long as we can without being dangerous. We're planning stops every two to three hours to stop and stretch/fill up/eat/change and feed and play with Jack...

I'm scared!! It's going to be chaos...

Answer 1

Can you buy/borrow a portable DVD player? That seems to work for our son for long car trips. Also, any books/toys that have buttons which make sounds or light up can keep a little one occupied for some time. And be sure to have plenty of music on hand.

Also, does your son tend to fall asleep/stay asleep in the car? One trick we do is to leave right when we think our boy (now almost three years old) is about to fall asleep. The car knocks him out & we get several hours of driving in before he wakes up & we have to stop so he can run around.

With your little one being so young, running around won't be the issue: diaper changes will be. We set up a diaper changing station in our trunk so we don't have to rely on changing stations at rest stops or restaurants.

Answer 2

I have 2 kids under 3 yrs old and we travel a lot! make sure that jack is changed and fed on a regular basis. You will need to stop and allow Jack to stretch...little ones get sore too from sitting long periods of time. Bring plenty of toys and maybe a lullaby CD to play. Plus, he may just cry the entire time...so lots of patience on your part. make sure you get plenty sleep so you are not cranky and can handle Jack. It's not fun if everyone in the car is cranky! Remember, the car ride from hell will lead to seeing your husband...keep remembering that when the trip becomes unbearable! Plus, if Jack cries a lot than he may wear himself out and fall asleep! Good luck!!!

Answer 3

Ok... First make sure someone is sitting next to him during the whole trip. If you formula feed, then try to get the premade formula in glass jars that have attachable nipples. If you breast feed make sure you have enough pumped so you can drive some of the ways and your husband can drive the other part. Bring anything that helps calming him down whether it's in the car or when you get there. My family packed my little sister's bouncy seat when we went to florida from maine and back. After a while, he will get used to it and sleep a lot! So make sure you are prepared for his schedule to be off.

Good Luck.

Answer 4

drive at night - you are going to be tired but he will be asleep - the roads will also be quiter at night meaning you could even knock half a day off that time.

yer - when he is asleep drive, when he wakes up, stop for some food.

give him time and space to crawel around, even on a motel floor or a green space somewhere.

put some toys in the car so he doesnt get board and stop every few hours for a cuddle.

Answer 5

Can his family help you afford to fly? If not all I can really suggest it lots of breaks. Who ever isn't driving should be in the back with him to talk to him and play with him, but if he doesn't like being in the car at all, it'll be hard. Maybe try driving at night while he's asleep?