Sorry for all the travel questions ladies, I just don't want to forget anything!
We have an 8 hour drive ahead of us in a few days and I'm just wonder what tips any of you have for travelling long distances by car with a baby?
We are thinking about possibly stopping halfway for the night, but we may not.
Thanks! I think this is my last question. 
nectarine / 2667 posts
We've done a 14 hour car trip with our son twice (which ended up being 4 times, I guess for traveling there and back). The first time he was nearly 3 months and we did it overnight in one stretch. That was easy - he slept mostly and we stopped for nursing. Only once did we make an unplanned stop because he was freaking out.
The next time he was nearly 9 months and we broke it up into 2 days for each way. We brought lots of "new" toys (just stuff he hadn't seen in a while or played with before - like measuring spoons). Also, a big tub of Puffs, so he could snack in the car. Those were a life saver! I also figured out how to nurse him in his seat while my husband drove.
If your baby doesn't hate the carseat, it shouldn't be too bad!
papaya / 10473 posts
We just did this last week and it went great! Does he usually take a morning nap? With C, we got completely ready to go the night before. Then that morning, I changed his diaper, nurses him, and we hit the road to coincide with his first nap. And overpack your diaper bag a little - a couple of extra outfits, a few extra diapers than usual - just in case.
pineapple / 12802 posts
@JoyfulKiwi: thanks! He's still a little young for toys and snacks, but I will remember those for the future! Hopefully he just sleeps the whole way
@grizz: thanks! That good to know, I will make sure to feed him right before we leave. Hopefully we can leave right after, sometimes DH gets so distracted and we don't get out of the house for an hour later than planned, hahaha.
cantaloupe / 6017 posts
I agree with the advice about leaving for first morning nap. And be prepared for it to take longer than usual, so you don't get stressed! I did 5 hours with a 3 month old and it went pretty well. On the way home she lost it for the last 3 hours though...I stopped every hour to take her out, check her dipe, feed, etc. but she still cried all the way home.
I was by myself, though. When she has someone to play or interact with it seems to go a little better.
apricot / 319 posts
Oh good luck! I've started thinking about how traveling with baby is going to work, logistically, since we've decided that we'll be going to spend Thanksgiving with my parents. And that's a 500 mile (so ~8-9hour drive) journey. He'll be a little over 3 months? I'm the only driver, since my husband can't, so we can't take turns driving and, to be honest, I'm terrified of making this trip! XD
pineapple / 12802 posts
@Silva: thanks! And yea, I'm anticipating it taking longer which is why we may possibly stop over night somewhere half way. I've even found out the motel we'll stay at too.
pineapple / 12802 posts
@ZombieBullfrogHoller: I will update this thread and tell you how it goes! My husband usually does all the driving but we'll see this time! L is 2 months so the ages are close!
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