https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 06 May 2026 22:11:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-a-road-trip-with-4-month-old#post-1483725 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 11:43:42 +0000 littlebug 1483725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: Exactly what we did. We drove out to Michigan (11 hours in a day). We started at his morning nap (around 9), and he slept for about 2 hours. When he woke up, he was happy, so we kept going. He started getting antsy right around 1:30, so we stopped for about an hour. Hubs and I ate and then we got back in the car and I nurse D. He didn't fall asleep, but he was drowsy enough that we could put him back in the seat without too much complaining. He fell asleep for his afternoon nap then and slept another 3 hours or so. And same thing - awake for about 2 hours, got fussy, we stopped for dinner, nursed again, back into the carseat, and about 1.5 hours later, we reached our destination, where I nursed him again and he went right back to sleep in the crib we rented. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-a-road-trip-with-4-month-old#post-1483641 Mon, 10 Mar 2014 11:23:32 +0000 looch 1483641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We never did super long drives, but I learned to pack bags according to category so you can be quick at stops. Like pack some diapers and a case of wipes in a ziplock bag, put all food and whatnot in another bag, entertainment in another. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-a-road-trip-with-4-month-old#post-1481421 Sun, 09 Mar 2014 09:32:37 +0000 Foodnerd81 1481421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Of course-- I forgot that driving at bedtime is the best for baby-- but it's hard on the driver who has to stay awake. We did that our first 4 hours trip with C and she stayed asleep the whole time until transfered her to the pack and play when we got there, fed her and she went right back to sleep. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-a-road-trip-with-4-month-old#post-1481410 Sun, 09 Mar 2014 09:15:23 +0000 rattles 1481410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We took DD on a 14 hour road trip (in one day) when she was 3.5 months, and it went surprisingly well. Now having done several road trips, we're believers in getting going early. We bring her seat in the night before, and after her 3-4am feeding, we put her in her seat instead of her crib (in the dark) and put a blanket over it. We carry her out like that, and we're able to get in a good 4 hour stretch before she wakes up and gets upset. We stopped every 2-3 hours for diaper changes and feedings. At that age, I brought my pump with the same plans as you, but I ended up feeding/soothing her at by nursing in the car like @JoyfulKiwi. As for entertainment, we brought Baby Einstein's Take Along Tunes, her Sassy ring links and a couple of teethers. I sat with her and sang or fed her. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-a-road-trip-with-4-month-old#post-1481399 Sun, 09 Mar 2014 08:57:57 +0000 delight 1481399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: totally agree!</p> <p>When we've ever gone on the road, I wait til she's ready for a nap and then leave. When she was 3 months we drove to the cottage, about 3.5 hours, and she napped the whole bay because we didn't stop. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-a-road-trip-with-4-month-old#post-1481397 Sun, 09 Mar 2014 08:54:42 +0000 regberadaisy 1481397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would plan to start the drive at nap time. Stop only when she Wakes up. If not keep going.<br /> My LO hated the car at that time but did Surprisingly well on road trips. The constant motion of the highway keeps her asleep! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-a-road-trip-with-4-month-old#post-1481383 Sun, 09 Mar 2014 08:32:21 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 1481383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've made a 14 hour trip a few times when F was an infant. When he was that little we planned to do a bulk of the trip at night because he'd sleep more, so I don't have many tips about keeping babies happy when awake. </p> <p>However, my best friend told me this gem: breast feed while your partner drives with the baby in the carseat. I thought that was crazy, but it was a LIFESAVER. I just leaned over his seat and he was able to latch on. It saved us a lot of trouble. </p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-a-road-trip-with-4-month-old#post-1481381 Sun, 09 Mar 2014 08:28:36 +0000 Foodnerd81 1481381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How long does she usually go between naps these days? Since you have to cover about 6 hours each day, I might try to time it for a nice lunch break for all of you in between, to give her enough time out of the seat. Also make sure you totally empty your bladder since you will NOT want to stop once she is asleep! </p> <p>Bring extra toys and swap them out while she is awake, but at 4 months I don't know how far that will get you. I would just try not to rush the breaks. C gets pissed when we only let her out for half an hour or so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-a-road-trip-with-4-month-old#post-1481366 Sun, 09 Mar 2014 08:02:22 +0000 daniellemybelle 1481366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are going to be doing a 12 hour drive, split into two days, in a couple weeks. LO takes good naps in the car but hates it when she's awake. I'm going to try to stop every 3 hours to feed her &amp; let her stretch for 20 minutes, and then sit in the back &amp; try to play with her until it's nap time. I'm also going to pump on the drive so she can take a bottle for her feedings which is much faster, allowing more playtime during stops.</p> <p>Any other ideas? We are not opposed to whipping out the iPad since it's a special occasion but I have no idea if it will hold her attention. </p>