Question about road trips with LO

How old was your LO during their first road trip? And did anyone go at it alone when their LO was small?

I want to see my dad on cape cod which is about 4-5 hours away. I'm am going with Dh for a week in aug but really wanted to go anther time to see him since I am off for the summer. DD will be 5 months by the end of the month when I would go and I am terrified to go alone.

Re: Question about road trips with LO

I did upstate (4 hours) by my self at 4 months. Then we did Disney at 5 months. At that age they sleep most of the time. I stopped to feed and change diapers only for the upstate trip.

Re: Question about road trips with LO

A road trip is not a biggie. We flew to Cancun with DD#1 when she had just turned 2 months(trip was booked way before BFP). She was fine.

Question about road trips with LO

We have flown already with her. But it was both of us so no biggie. Just worried if she doesn't sleep the whole way.

Question about road trips with LO

My in laws live in cape cod so we've been doing that trip since my DD was 1 month and she's turning 2 y/o next month. At that age, my DD slept a majority of the trip. Ive never done the drive alone, but we always stop for lunch on the way and i would give her a bottle and a diaper change and she would usually fall back asleep once we were driving again. Does she sleep well in the car? I think you'll be ok doing it alone. If anything, you can just make more stops to give her some toys and just get out of the car so she can see some things.

Re: Question about road trips with LO

if your LO tends to nap in the car, I think you will be fine. We drove like 14 hours (that includes stops) with 12 month olds, and they were champs! The steady driving lulled them to sleep muuuuuch more than they would just at home or something, and we stopped for regular meal times and everything was ok. You can do it, just be well packed, and prepared in case you do need to stop multiple times.

Re: Question about road trips with LO

I live in cape cod! my family is on LI and I go home with my 2 kids (ds1: 8 1/2 ds2: 6 months) by myself. If I'm driving the whole way, I will feed the baby before I leave and then stop at a rest stop at exit 40 for a diaper change and drinks, possibly another feed.
I have been taking the orient point/new London ferry a lot more since the baby is here because I ALWAYS hit traffic in Connecticut, it took me 6+ hours one time due to roadwork in CT. I have little patience with traffic and since i'm by myself with the kids I don't like taking the chance.
Its a little more money and about the same amount of time but worth my sanity. Plus, it gives the baby a chance to get out of his seat and stretch/play.

any questions, ill be happy to help!

Question about road trips with LO

Ok you ladies are giving me hope!!! Lol. She does sleep pretty good in the car as long as you are moving. She doesn't like to stop when she's cranky and tired.

I think I'm gunna take the chance and go!!! I really want my dad to get time with her more than 1 week this summer!

Re: Question about road trips with LO

We did a normally 8 hour trip (which turned into 10 hours) when DD was 4 months. It was DH and myself but it didn't make a huge difference that there were two of us. DD didn't like the car at that age unless she was asleep. She took a nice nap or the first 3 hours then screamed the rest of the way. The only time she stopped screaming was when we pulled over and took her out of the car seat. It didn't matter if one of us sat in the back with her playing with her, she wanted OUT.

Of course, that's just how our DD was at that age and 8 hours is a lot longer than 4 or 5. You know how your baby is. I would do the trip with DH for the first visit to see how it goes and take it from there.

Re: Question about road trips with LO

We have traveled to Maine with DS. The thing that helped us the most was leaving later, we left around bedtime (8pm). This way he slept the entire way. Just got caffeine before for us!