So we're going to drive down to Southern California and the drive will be 6 hours long. DS doesn't particularly love the car seat and we've never been too far with him in the car, so this trip will be a stretch! Sometimes, when he's really really tired, he will fall asleep, but most times, he either fusses or screams when he is tired. Any tips to help us survive this drive and make it easier? We are planning on leaving first thing in the morning when he wakes up as he seems a bit happier in the morning, but I still wonder whether he will fall asleep for his nap. I suppose if worse comes to worst, we can just wear earplugs during the drive, huh? ;P And, as a curious question, how do parents who are against cry-it-out prevent or manage it while on drives with their LO if they're crying? My LO doesn't respond to anything I do if I'm the driver and he's back there alone! >_<
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I have been in the same situation a few times with a baby that doesn't like the car and a long drive. I sit in the back with him and we sing songs and play games the whole time. At four months, I would pump and give him bottles in the car. There would still be crying, and there isn't much you can do since you can't pick the baby up. Car naps are generally pretty short and sucky for us. I'm not a big fan of travel these days.
When I have to drive alone, I sing a lot of songs. Old MacDonald is a favorite. -
During long car drives, I always sit in the back with the LO and entertain as much as possible. I bring a bunch of toys with me to keep them distracted. Maybe bring a mirror (like the Sassy floor mirror) or a toy bar? And also some teethers to much on? There's nothing much you can do except entertain/distract them...or hope that they sleep. You may also want to make a few pit stops for stretching and fresh air. Good luck! I live in SoCal and the weather is really nice right now!
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Our longest drive was 5 hours when LO was 4 months old. We live in a city, so she had never been in a car more than 30 minutes or so. We left right before her first nap should start. That's the easiest nap for them to go down for. White noise helped with that. We also stopped halfway through for LO to nurse and stretch. Other than that, we sang lots of songs and played lots of peek-a-boo.
ETA: My LO goes to sleep in the car much more easily if no one is in the back seat with her. I would hop in the front, turn on the white noise, and she would be out.
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Have you considered doing it at night when your LO would normally sleep the longest? I know that works for some parents.
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We went with our 7 month old on an 8 hour trip where i had to work. We left at like 10 am and got her to sleep for like 6 hours of it, we thought hooray! Well lil miss baby then was not tired at all during the night. She finally went to sleep at like 3 or 4 am, it was miserable. On the way back one of us took turns sitting in the back with her and singing or talking or whatever. It worked out much better.
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@banana: Thanks for the tips! DS loves the mirror! Will need to remember to bring that for sure! I'm glad to hear So. Cal weather is nice right now!
I grew up there, so I definitely miss the warm weather!
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