https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:33:00 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538510 Mon, 02 May 2016 07:58:37 +0000 Reese 2538510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Toad: this is extremely helpful! Thanks! LO is pretty much the same right now physically. I will def stock up on some dollar store toys he hasn't seen before </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538506 Mon, 02 May 2016 07:56:26 +0000 Reese 2538506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: yes, thanks for making me feel better about it. So many people are like "you should fly- LO is free" and I wonder if I'm missing something. Having him as a lap baby would be hard enough and he needs SO much stuff! Great tips! I hadn't even considered car sickness 😳</p> <p>@californiadreams: good to know... Might just get one. I wish I knew about this a year ago. I remember looking at them and thinking .. Pffft this is like a playpen without any of the features, why would I buy this? 😤 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538453 Mon, 02 May 2016 06:54:51 +0000 looch 2538453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You're travelling at the peak time of needing gear, so I think it's a great decision to drive! </p> <p>The only things I would strongly suggest that you bring are a few towels you don't care about, a gallon or so of water, a roll of paper towels and a few big garbage bags for those car sickness emergencies that come out of nowhere. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538384 Sun, 01 May 2016 22:01:01 +0000 californiadreams 2538384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Reese: I lent my Graco to my sister and never got it back, lol. It was originally a baby shower gift. I can't speak for other travel cribs as I just asked HB for recommendations after we realized how much we didn't like the Graco and the majority said bjorn. So that plus Amazon reviews was enough to make me go for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538381 Sun, 01 May 2016 21:50:17 +0000 Mrs. Toad 2538381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We drove from DC to Houston in two days when my son was 10 months. </p> <p>We got up and had a breakfast in the hotel, put him in the car awake and drove while he took his morning nap, and took a break immediately (the next reasonable exit) upon wake-up to breastfeed. We then drove to until a reasonable lunch time. My DH doesn't like fast food, so we usually went for a sit down meal. Afternoon looked like the morning until a break for dinner. After dinner, he fell asleep in the car and we drove until about midnight. The hardest part was that he is used to going to sleep in a room by himself and he wanted us after waking up to go into the hotel.</p> <p>At ten months, he could crawl and walk next to furniture, so we let him do that in the restaurant. He never left us, so we didn't bother anyone else. </p> <p>My son is a dream eater and sleeper. We gave him toys to play with in the car and there was very little screaming. We did CIO, so we didn't mind a short period of crying when we couldn't get to him immediately. He did wake when the car stopped for us to go to the restroom, but he went back to sleep after. (We only did that after bedtime. For him, once nap ended, it was over.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538373 Sun, 01 May 2016 21:34:01 +0000 Beth24 2538373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We drove from Ohio to South Carolina with DD when she was 11 months old and thought for sure we'd have to break up the drive but she was awesome! We did both legs in one day....took us about 10-12 hours I think. We stopped at every state border's rest area so she could run around and also did long lunches to get out of the car for a bit. No real advice I guess, but I think it helped us to go into it with no set schedule. We just drove until we wanted to stop. Although we did learn the hard way that not stopping frequently enough led to a very wet child/car seat! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538230 Sun, 01 May 2016 16:03:39 +0000 Astro Bee 2538230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We drove from Ottawa to Boston over Easter, when LO was 11.5 months. It's roughly a 7-8 hr drive. We did it in around 9, I think. Just prior to the trip, LO started getting carsick during longish car rides or when in traffic. We ended up seeing the pharmacist who gave us the correct dosage of children's gravol to give him. We left when it was nap time, and he slept for a couple of hours. After he woke up, we gave him the gravol, with some food. I hung out in the back with him and played/read/sang to him for the remainder of the trip. It was a bit of work, but we did it in one day with no problems. </p> <p>We'd prearranged for an infant rollaway cot in the hotel. If you don't want to bring your pnp perhaps you can rent one? We rented a car seat when we flew to NZ and they also had pnps, and other kid's gear there to rent. Maybe they have that in NC or somewhere else along your route. </p> <p>If you haven't already, try the sunscreen on him to be sure he doesn't have a reaction. We also took out travel medical insurance for him, and packed Tylenol, the infant thermometer, and everything I could think of. Good thing, too, because the last night was really rough, with him suddenly starting teething and then having it break through the gums. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538147 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:49:15 +0000 babybean404 2538147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: as an NC resident who opposes the new law (HB 2), I have to say that I hope OP will not penalize the person who owns the condo she's renting by canceling the trip. When big corporations or celebrities cancel events in NC, it sends a message to wealthy people in positions of power. When individual travelers boycott NC, it just penalizes people who have nothing to do with the law. Either way, please write our governor Pat McCrory to let him know you are considering boycotting the state: <a href="http://governor.nc.gov/contact" rel="nofollow">http://governor.nc.gov/contact</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538145 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:47:11 +0000 Reese 2538145@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: Good idea. I am not sure if he will be walking by then but its very possible. If there is one thing he can definitely do it would be EAT so I plan to utilize that tactic. He is comfortable in the water so far but we have only gone to warm pools. I didn't even think about the IPAD dying. We have two tablets so I will bring&amp;charge both! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538143 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:45:52 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2538143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would err on the side of breaking it up. For example a 10 hour drive, we broke up into two 5 hour days, which in reality took 7-8 hours each day. That was more manageable and we all felt better after a good night's sleep (in a bed). Generally, we like to have the mornings for playing (running around, getting tired) and then leave right after lunch hoping to catch an extra long nap. Then afternoon driving with a couple stops (snacks, ipads, whatever) and if necessary into the early evening. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538141 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:43:31 +0000 Reese 2538141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: Did you get rid of your Graco? Maybe I should sell my P&amp;P and get a travel crib. The Phil&amp;Teds seems to be similar with a cheaper price tag. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538140 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:42:01 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2538140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Reese: we drove during the day and then into the night and stopped around midnight. We stopped at McDonalds play places and took a long time so she could stretch her legs.<br /> We mostly avoided the beach but spent a lot of time at the pool.<br /> There is a kiddie pool next to the big pool at our place down there so she used that a lot. She was a very confident walker at that point so that wasn't a worry.<br /> We had a popup sun tent thing that worked well.<br /> We have an iPad holder thing for the car, it's great until the battery dies.. Haha!</p> <p>I wouldn't drive all night but we did do v two days of driving, our trip was 24 hours of driving. As soon as she woke up we got food and got in the car. She was happy sitting in the back with me eating hashbrowns. A couple hours later she'd sleep for 2-3 hours. We'd stop for lunch 30 minutes or so after she woke and spent time walking around after food. Then got back in the car close to her next nap and drove while she slept. She ended up only being awake for three to four hours of driving. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538138 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:41:34 +0000 Reese 2538138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Maysprout: Great idea and great tips :) Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538137 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:40:39 +0000 Reese 2538137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: Thats true, perhaps worth the investment.</p> <p>@jhd: Oh geez, must map out the closest and fastest route. I would be lying if I said I didn't mourn a little when they closed down all of the Canadian locations :crying: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538135 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:38:46 +0000 Maysprout 2538135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Around DC and south can get pretty heavy traffic on the weekends for beach travel. If driving through the night id try to get south of VA by semi early morning before you start hitting back ups and maybe have a traffic app handy JIC.<br /> We've never done a trip that long but I do think it's a good idea to drive when LO sleeping. Ours always fell asleep in cars then would be up late after long trips.<br /> As for the beach - a big blanket, umbrella, maybe pop up tent, and a few sand toys. Our kids have always love love loved the beach. We just chill out there all day, sometimes bringing them in for naps, or if they conch out just on a blanket under the umbrella. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538130 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:30:49 +0000 californiadreams 2538130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Reese: yes it does, I specifically read tons of reviews for the mattress. We used it for a solid 2 - 2.5 years with L1 (lots of trips to Montreal) and now will get another 3 years or so with L2, so I'm glad I bought it. The twin bed idea could work too, I never thought of that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538126 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:28:40 +0000 jhd 2538126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Reese: Oak Island is pretty small and just has a grocery store and some restaurants (we love low key play on the beach and eat vacations!) but there is definitely a Target in Wilmington (the closest bigger town/city) but there may be one closer than that I just haven't tried to find one! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538122 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:25:30 +0000 Reese 2538122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: baby bjorn travel crib has a much comfier mattress? I am not sure I can justify the price tag for this trip. I will check kijiji. Good idea re:drive thrus! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538117 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:23:00 +0000 Reese 2538117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: Im tempted to break up the drive too. Great idea regarding the tent - I have one in my Amazon cart that I need to purchase. Thanks for the tips! Is it terrible that I am the most thrilled about going to Target :) Please tell me there is one close by! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538115 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:21:39 +0000 californiadreams 2538115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Reese: I've never done an all night trip but you could certainly try. I would just apply the same principle - start driving right before its time to sleep. And if you need food/coffee for yourselves whe he sleeps, only use drive thrus- nothing is worth waking a sleeping baby on a road trip :)</p> <p>L didn't sleep well in our Graco travel crib (I think that's a pnp?). I ended up buying the baby bjorn travel crib and he slept good in it every time - huge difference. And so easy to assemble and carry. Was totally worth it for us. We suspected it was an uncomfortable mattress issue too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538114 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:20:52 +0000 Reese 2538114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: Good idea. I think our TV is mounted too high for him to really get interested in anything. I will download some videos. </p> <p>@yoursilverlining: It seems CRAZY to me too but DH is pretty determined. Our friends do it with their kids every year so I think they are making him think its NBD. Yeah, its NBD until LO starts wailing in the back :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538113 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:20:37 +0000 jhd 2538113@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have never driven overnight so I can't speak to that, but I would be tempted to break up the drive somehow. We have been to Oak Island several times and my parents have been there lots. We love it. We are taking LO in June and he just turned two. I got a little pop up tent from IKEA to keep the sun off him. We usually go off season so it hasn't been an issue before. We usually go to Southport one day and walk around. And get take out from the Oak Island restaurant. Huge portions and really fresh fish. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538109 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:18:49 +0000 Reese 2538109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: Boycotting NC isn't really doable. We agreed to vacation with our friends who have a condo there for a long time. The compromise for me is that we rent our own condo because regardless of size I would really prefer to have our own space. Perhaps that is why they still had availability :meh: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538108 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:18:28 +0000 yoursilverlining 2538108@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I personally wouldn't attempt to do a 16-hour drive in one day (I've driven that and have nooooo desire to do it again!) - I would definitely stop midway through for 1 night. </p> <p>I don't think it's unreasonable to think your LO might STTN during that drive though. At that age we drove about 7 hours with LO at night and she slept the entire time. I have no reason to think she wouldn't have kept sleeping had we had longer to drive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538107 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:16:28 +0000 californiadreams 2538107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Reese: the first time I ran into trouble on a road trip, I let L watch you tube videos on my iPhone. They have stuff like twinkle twinkle videos that you can download that he loved </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538105 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:14:56 +0000 Reese 2538105@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: I love that my Ontario bees are here to help :) Do you suggest not driving through the night? LO also seems to hate sleeping in the P&amp;P. Whenever we stay at my moms he tends to wake up. I wonder if its a mattress issue... Should I put one of the twin mattresses on the floor with a toddler rail? His P&amp;P also takes up hella room in the trunk.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538104 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:14:43 +0000 MenagerieMama 2538104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Personally I would break the drive up! We always end up having to stop every 2 hours or so no matter what. LO is 19 mo and we went a trip a couple months ago (she's STTN) and past her bedtime she fell asleep but woke crying a lot because she'd try and change her position but was in her carseat and couldn't and wake up enough to get freaked out. And she's usually a champion car seat napper!</p> <p>Also - this may not be on your radar but consider the bathroom laws that NC has right now. We like to go to the OBX for vacation but are crossing that off our possible locations due to their terrible politics and attitude toward LGBT people as a political state. Tons of celebrities and companies are boycotting NC right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538103 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:13:39 +0000 Reese 2538103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: bahaha, he hasn't really watched/shown too much interest in TV I wasn't sure if he would care. I guess worth investing in one of those hang-your-tablet-off-the-seat-thingamajiggers (technical name) would be worth it? Did you drive through the night? </p> <p>How did LO handle the beach/pool? Any other tips. I have bought sunscreen for him.. thats about it... :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538102 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:13:33 +0000 californiadreams 2538102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If he is sleeping, keep on driving! I've done many road trips to Montreal with L1. The best scenario was to start driving right before nap time and a bit after he wakes. Then we stop for an hour until it's almost time to sleep again. When needed, iPad with baby videos were used. Long car travel was one of my screen time exceptions in the first 2 years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-travel-with-11-month-old#post-2538100 Sun, 01 May 2016 13:09:01 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2538100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We drove to Palm Beach Florida when L was 11 months. We set up the iPad with Bubble Guppies episodes and she was good to go.<br /> She ate more fast food than I'm comfortable with but two years later it seems to have not effected her in the long run. :wink: </p>