My husband and I need to travel out of state with our 7 week old baby. She's breastfed, healthy, and generally not too fussy. Is there any reason this would not be safe? Is she old enough to handle this kind of travel? Also, we will be visiting grandparents at high altitude (8500 ft.), so does anyone know if there are problems taking a young child from sea level to the mountains?
2007-03-14 10:47:55 · 7 answers · asked by roger r 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
We are flat landers and we took my daughter and her 6 month old son to Colorado Springs, Co to visit our son. We stopped more often than if it had been an all adult trip but, to tell you the truth, I enjoyed the more frequent stops. He traveled very well and did not suffer from the altitude change.
I know there is a big difference in 7 weeks old and 6 months old. But I think as long as you stop if the baby gets fussy and it is not time to eat and let the baby feed or use a pacifier it will relieve any altitude problems.
My grandson did not get fussy until right before we got into Colorado Spring and we gave him a bottle of water to suck on and that solved the problem. He even managed the trip up Pikes Peak. We made sure he sucked on his pacifier or on a bottle if he got fussy.
The altitude change did make him tired all the time. He slept more that usual. So if that happens don't be alarmed. Due to the altitude change he ate more often, too. Sometimes I am not sure he was hungry, he just didn't know what he felt. We would give him 2 or 3 oz of formula and he would be fine.
And make sure you give your baby more fluids than you normally would. The change in the altitude can dehydrate them easier just like it will you. We all drank lots of water and had no altitude sickness.
Our 6 & 11 yr. old granddaughters were with us too. They were given a 64 oz bottle of water and they were told to keep from getting altitude sickness and feeling bad they needed to drink that everyday in addition to what they drank with meals. One of them tried to slack off one day and came to me saying she felt like she was going to throw up and she felt bad. We found her bottle of water and I gave her some crackers and she was better. She became a water drinking believer.
Enjoy your trip. I know the grandparents will love spending time with the new grandbaby.
2007-03-14 11:24:20 · answer #1 · answered by Mee-Maw 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Plan on that 16-hour drive taking about half again as long, at the very least. I took my middle son on what is usually a 6-1/2 trip when he was 6 weeks old -- it took 10 hours or more. The same trip with my youngest took about 10 hours. It depends on the baby. A baby who is good in the car for 2 hours could be a nightmare for nine. My youngest had a time limit of 9 hours. Didn't matter what you did, he just was fed up with being in the car after 9 hours. He would scream constantly until you took him out of the car -- and begin again as soon as you put him back in. Rough when the drive takes ten hours. You spend the last hour with the stereo cranked as loud as you can, driving like a maniac to get to your destination . . .
Ah, the joys of traveling with small children . . .
And just as an added comfort -- it doesn't really start to get better until they're old enough to be entertained for hours on end by videos, video games, or toys (and provided you have a big enough vehicle to keep them from touching each other with anything shorter than a ten-foot pole!)
Have fun! Just be prepared to stop frequently, nurse often, and don't get too stressed if it takes longer than you expect. Don't get overtired, stop somewhere on the way if you have to and stay overnight. The more relaxed you are, the better she'll do as well. Some parents find it helps if you ride in the back with the child -- or at least give her something entertaining to look at!
2007-03-14 11:13:37 · answer #2 · answered by Lisa M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as long road trips goes, a 7wk old will probably sleep through most of it. They're easy at that age. Traveling to a higher altitude, however, may need to be discussed wtih your pediatrician. My sister in law lives in Colorado & when she first moved there, I had my son. She advised not to bring him until he was about 6 months old. It took awhile for her family to get used to the altitude. Now, when she comes to visit, (we live in TX) she swells up like a blimp and has really bad diarreah. Hope it works out. I know the grandparents will be anxious to see her.
2007-03-14 11:03:53 · answer #3 · answered by mom-of-4 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there shouldn't be a problem, but if she does get fussy it may be her ears popping from the altitude, but i don't think it should bother her that much to where her ears are popping just in the mountains. talk to your dr and see what he has to say. maybe he can give a few tips too. babies this young are a lot easier to travel with than ones who need to stop for the potty every 2-3 hours or so!
good luck and congrats!!
2007-03-14 10:53:21 · answer #4 · answered by impossiblemama 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We drive 5 hours with our son every other Sunday, and the thing that works the best for us is to get up really early in the morning and play with him until he almost passes out. Then, load up in the car and he sleeps the whole way. But since you are driving 16 hours, I would recommend playing for a few hours before you leave (at night), then drive all night while she sleeps. Good luck!
2016-03-28 23:14:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not think so... Have a safe trip...
2007-03-14 10:53:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would be very hesitant to take her. Please talk to your ped. about this.
2007-03-14 10:52:42 · answer #7 · answered by sushishishi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋