Would you travel 10 hrs with an infant?

[Anonymous]

Are you breastfeeding, and if so, how long does the baby take to eat? If you are bottle feeding, you can have an adult sit next to baby to feed her while the other adult drives, but if you are nursing, you will have to stop for every feeding. That may be okay if you have a fast eater, but just really take that all into account when you plan on how long your stops will take.

Also, having done an 11 hour drive to Florida many times, we have found that our ability to make it in a single day really depends on the hours of daylight. Once it starts to get dark and you've been in a car with kids for 8 hours already, it's tough to keep going, at least for us. We usually just drive as far as we can and get a hotel once we get tired.

[Anonymous]

Yes. We leave before nap time, stop from around 3-6pm and then drive over night

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Plan on going at night so that you can do as much of the driving when the baby is asleep as possible.

The idea of driving overnight when the adults (and the other drivers on the road) are sleepy as a way to avoid COVID exposure is just too much. The risk of a serious accident in 20 hours of driving in the daytime is probably greater than the risk to the infant from COVID, let alone driving at night.

+1 this is a great point. And I will add, I tried this once with an infant and toddler and it turns out they both HATED trying to do nighttime sleep in the car. They cried on and off from “bedtime” to 1 am.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Plan on going at night so that you can do as much of the driving when the baby is asleep as possible.

The idea of driving overnight when the adults (and the other drivers on the road) are sleepy as a way to avoid COVID exposure is just too much. The risk of a serious accident in 20 hours of driving in the daytime is probably greater than the risk to the infant from COVID, let alone driving at night.

I prefer to do long car trips overnight; not related to covid.

[Anonymous]

Your husband goes. And flies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. We leave before nap time, stop from around 3-6pm and then drive over night

I drove by myself with a 6 month old for a normally 10 hours trip recently. Did it coming and going by myself. I don't really see how air travel is a reasonable option for many when you consider all the things for an infant (pack n'play?, stroller, lots of clothes/sheets/towels, bottles, toys). I have friends that do it - more power to them.

We left right before the afternoon naptime around 12/1. I made sure we spent A TON of time outside and physical activity. We had a short nap in the morning (30 minutes). The afternoon naps were about 2.5-3 hours and then I stopped when the infant demanded a stop between 3:30-6:30. It was about 45 or an hour between stops...etc. DC's carseat had special toys - and DC played with them. We would eat outside and walk around (me walk, DC in stroller or arms). DC fell asleep around 7 and stayed asleep even when we arrived at our destination. Yes, it wasn't easy - but I could do it again. I think if I had someone with me it would be half as difficult.

[Anonymous]

I've done a 9.5 hour drive with an infant/toddler during COVID several times. It takes 9.5 hours if its just adults and 11-12 hours with an infant toddler. Partner and I split the drive and we get pickup and plan to eat outside on a blanket. We typically leave after breakfast stop for lunch, stop after nap, and then in the early evening for dinner. Its not super fun, but its completely doable.

[Anonymous]

I would do this and fly. I have flown with my kids multiple times during the pandemic.

[Anonymous]

Nope nope nope.
I'd fly, its probably a 1.5-2 hr flight? I would even fly for 10 hrs before I drive for 10 hrs with a baby or toddler.

[Anonymous]

Just fly. I would not go on a 10 hour road trip with a 7 month old (it will likely be longer).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, baby is 7 months old.

I would fly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH's sister recently had a baby, and has invited us out for a visit, we both have time off coming up. All adults are vaccinated against COVID. We're welcome to stay at her house, but would like to get an Airbnb


Both DH and I are in our 30s and healthy, we'd take turns driving out, figure that's safer than flying. We'd mask and sanitize during stops, and one of us would stay in the car with the baby during stops to avoid bringing him inside and reduce possible exposure.

SIL is DH's only living family and they basically haven't seen each other in 2 years since our wedding ( just before COVID hit), really would like to make this happen if possible. Just trying to do it safely as possible.

Thoughts?

Two adults and one infant — not even a question. If you were driving alone, that would be more difficult. The first couple times you’ll figure out if your kid is a good traveler.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've done a 9.5 hour drive with an infant/toddler during COVID several times. It takes 9.5 hours if its just adults and 11-12 hours with an infant toddler. Partner and I split the drive and we get pickup and plan to eat outside on a blanket. We typically leave after breakfast stop for lunch, stop after nap, and then in the early evening for dinner. Its not super fun, but its completely doable.

I done this solo with two toddlers and it was awesome! One of the best things I’ve done ever.

[Anonymous]

HECK NO. I don't like to torture myself in that way.

[Anonymous]

Hahahahaha no, just did 4 hr drive that took 7 hrs. I can’t imagine what 10 hrs would be like, I would fly over get back in that car with my infant.