Roadtrip with 9 month old

[Anonymous]

We'll be making a 6-hour drive (each way) this weekend, and it's our first time driving beyond 2 hours with baby. He is a wiggle worm and as soon as he gets bored, fusses up a storm. I think mostly because he hates being strapped in and wants to be up and moving. Other than timing the trip so that one of his naps falls within the period of time that we'll be on the road, what are other tips or techniques for keeping him happy? I'm planning on packing books, toys, food, and ipad. Any advice appreciated!

[Anonymous]

I would try to plan a couple of stops where there is a grassy area so he can play for awhile. Maybe even pack a picnic lunch so lunch time will not involve him having to sit inside somewhere.

[Anonymous]

12:35 again. Not sure what time you are planning to leave, but if you plan to leave in the morning, I would do something like:

9:00-11:00 Drive
11:00-11:45 play, lunch, bathroom break
11:45-3:00 Drive, hopefully your DS will nap for 1.5-2 hours
3:00-3:30 play, snack, bathroom break
3:30-4:15 Drive

I know this adds on time, but building in some solid outside/stretch time for him could help a lot.

[Anonymous]

I would leave super early rather than driving during the day so there's a greater chance he sleeps for a couple hours in the morning. You can also try having one person sit in the back with him which makes it easier to read books and entertain.

[Anonymous]

we do this all the time with no issues our LO is currently 8 mos old. 1)Leave really early like 4am-5am so that he can sleep for most of the trip 2) While he is sleeping no need to have any one in the back seat with him but as soon as you hear him stirring go ahead to the back seat. You don't need to engage him the whole time only if he starts getting fussy. If he is quiet just let him be. 3) Bring a separate in addition to his diaper bag into the car with you i. e one of those reusable totes that you can get from the grocery store for a $1.00. In this tote make sure to pack some paper towels, breastmilk or formula, foods if he's on solids, and some toys. This will give you easy access to all the essentials that you will need right on top ...

[Anonymous]

so that you dont have to dig for his diaper bag. I wouldn't suggest stopping unless absolutely necc. ie bathroom break or fill up gas or diaper change.. you will want to get to your destination as quickly as possible. oh and its probably good idea to have a small blanket or nursing cover with you just in case you need to nurse on demand for any reason you prob dont want all the gas station sketchballs peeking in while your nursing during a gas stop.

[Anonymous]

Stop every 2 hours - adds time but saves everyone's sanity. We used to rush to get where we were going but now make lots of stops for the kids and find we are less tired and worn out when we get there now.

[Anonymous]

We've been doing 10 hour car trips 2x per year since our twins were 6 mos old. Be prepared and be flexible. You and Dh should keep your bladders as empty as possible and the gas tank as full as possible. If baby is asleep or content, do not stop! In addition to supplies for baby, have snacks and drinks handy for the adults.

[Anonymous]

I was going to post the same question as OP, also 9 months old, and first roadtrip next weekend.
It's encouraging to read from the PPs, thank you guys!

I'm inclined to follow the; don't-stop- if-you-don't-have-to-PPs, and leave early? When should one leave to drive south on I-95? At what time would you plan to arrive back in DC from I-95 heading north on our return trip (Monday)? Our DC does not have a consistent nap time, would that change your plans?

My biggest worry is a total refusal to be strapped back into the car seat, for example after a nursing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was going to post the same question as OP, also 9 months old, and first roadtrip next weekend.
It's encouraging to read from the PPs, thank you guys!

I'm inclined to follow the; don't-stop- if-you-don't-have-to-PPs, and leave early? When should one leave to drive south on I-95? At what time would you plan to arrive back in DC from I-95 heading north on our return trip (Monday)? Our DC does not have a consistent nap time, would that change your plans?

My biggest worry is a total refusal to be strapped back into the car seat, for example after a nursing.

WE usually leave around 5am to drive down to North Carolina and we can make it in record time due to no traffic and LO is usually sleep for most of the trip as well. We tend to leave North Carolina around 10pm for our trip back up North. LO sleeps the whole way through and theres little traffic

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was going to post the same question as OP, also 9 months old, and first roadtrip next weekend.
It's encouraging to read from the PPs, thank you guys!

I'm inclined to follow the; don't-stop- if-you-don't-have-to-PPs, and leave early? When should one leave to drive south on I-95? At what time would you plan to arrive back in DC from I-95 heading north on our return trip (Monday)? Our DC does not have a consistent nap time, would that change your plans?

My biggest worry is a total refusal to be strapped back into the car seat, for example after a nursing.

I know that you are not supposed to do this but if my LO refuses to get back into his car seat after nursing I will hold him in my arms for 5-10 minutes until he settles. Then I will get him back into his carseat asap. I know that it is not safe to hold LO while driving but I will be honest and say that I have done it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was going to post the same question as OP, also 9 months old, and first roadtrip next weekend.
It's encouraging to read from the PPs, thank you guys!

I'm inclined to follow the; don't-stop- if-you-don't-have-to-PPs, and leave early? When should one leave to drive south on I-95? At what time would you plan to arrive back in DC from I-95 heading north on our return trip (Monday)? Our DC does not have a consistent nap time, would that change your plans?

My biggest worry is a total refusal to be strapped back into the car seat, for example after a nursing.

I know that you are not supposed to do this but if my LO refuses to get back into his car seat after nursing I will hold him in my arms for 5-10 minutes until he settles. Then I will get him back into his carseat asap. I know that it is not safe to hold LO while driving but I will be honest and say that I have done it

Wow. Can't say I see why you wouldnt stop until you can get them back into the seat. You do know accidents can happen in that short 5 minute window, yes?

[Anonymous]

WOW driving with a LO in your arms??? Sorry, that is totally unacceptable and hope someone would catch you doing that to make you realize the danger your are putting both yourself and your LO in. No destination is that urgent to get there to drive with LO in your arms. Period

Reading all of these, I am thankful I NEVER had an issue with my kids. They have traveled since very little. 9 times out of 10 when they were infants the slept almost the entire way and entertained themselves. I have done several trips this year with a 2yo, 14 - 16 hours each way, no unnecessary stops, and he did fantastic. Napped when he wanted to, didnt even watch videos on our trip up north but rather watched out the window pointing things out to us. When we stopped it was for gas, food and bathroom break, no longer than 20 minutes. 30 max if ALL of us went in or decided to sit down to eat. Otherwise, we kept driving. Granted while a crying/fussy baby would be aggravating to me, it certainly will not harm the baby to let him fuss a little.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WOW driving with a LO in your arms??? Sorry, that is totally unacceptable and hope someone would catch you doing that to make you realize the danger your are putting both yourself and your LO in. No destination is that urgent to get there to drive with LO in your arms. Period

Reading all of these, I am thankful I NEVER had an issue with my kids. They have traveled since very little. 9 times out of 10 when they were infants the slept almost the entire way and entertained themselves. I have done several trips this year with a 2yo, 14 - 16 hours each way, no unnecessary stops, and he did fantastic. Napped when he wanted to, didnt even watch videos on our trip up north but rather watched out the window pointing things out to us. When we stopped it was for gas, food and bathroom break, no longer than 20 minutes. 30 max if ALL of us went in or decided to sit down to eat. Otherwise, we kept driving. Granted while a crying/fussy baby would be aggravating to me, it certainly will not harm the baby to let him fuss a little.

I guess its really easy for people to be judgemental until they are in a certain situation. I am the poster who wrote that I would hold LO in my arms after nursing until he settles... If we are driving back up north at 2am an LO begins screaming hysterically out of hunger Yes I am going to climb into the back seat to nurse him. It does not make sense for us to pull over in the middle of night on a two lane road with no serviceroad so that we can get sideswiped by a car that doesnt see that we are pulled over or better yet heavan forbid someone jumps out of the bushes and tries to comandeer our car. Geez I already stated that I know its wrong but in some situations the baby is hungry and it is not safe or feasible for DH to pull over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WOW driving with a LO in your arms??? Sorry, that is totally unacceptable and hope someone would catch you doing that to make you realize the danger your are putting both yourself and your LO in. No destination is that urgent to get there to drive with LO in your arms. Period

Reading all of these, I am thankful I NEVER had an issue with my kids. They have traveled since very little. 9 times out of 10 when they were infants the slept almost the entire way and entertained themselves. I have done several trips this year with a 2yo, 14 - 16 hours each way, no unnecessary stops, and he did fantastic. Napped when he wanted to, didnt even watch videos on our trip up north but rather watched out the window pointing things out to us. When we stopped it was for gas, food and bathroom break, no longer than 20 minutes. 30 max if ALL of us went in or decided to sit down to eat. Otherwise, we kept driving. Granted while a crying/fussy baby would be aggravating to me, it certainly will not harm the baby to let him fuss a little.

I guess its really easy for people to be judgemental until they are in a certain situation. I am the poster who wrote that I would hold LO in my arms after nursing until he settles... If we are driving back up north at 2am an LO begins screaming hysterically out of hunger Yes I am going to climb into the back seat to nurse him. It does not make sense for us to pull over in the middle of night on a two lane road with no serviceroad so that we can get sideswiped by a car that doesnt see that we are pulled over or better yet heavan forbid someone jumps out of the bushes and tries to comandeer our car. Geez I already stated that I know its wrong but in some situations the baby is hungry and it is not safe or feasible for DH to pull over.

And Again I will say, that is still no reason to take LO out of their safety zone and risk getting in an accident and having that baby flung from your arms when your DH encounters either a drunk driver or an out of control trucker who has fallen asleep behind the wheel. IT HAPPENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe you will understand if and when something happens. It is definitely not a risk I would be willing to take. If you know you may have an issue with it then maybe night time driving is NOT for you! Travel during the day so you are able to pull over and SAFELY nurse that baby! SMDH