Long Distance Travel in the Car... Suggestions?

[ovaz129]

We are heading out to Palm Springs (for my Grandma's 80th b'day celebration) on Friday which is a 5-6 hour drive from our house.  Just curious, for those of you who have already been on long distance car rides, if you have any suggestions that might help with the baby when they get antsy.  I am hoping only to stop when I need to feed her... which SHOULD be about once, and if she has gone #2 :)  

I am a little nervous about traveling with her.  This is her first time out of Tucson!!!  haha... poor child hasn't experienced other places yet.

[AmyC311]

Ok so today I had to go out of town for an errand...about 2 hours away from our house..and I HAD to do it today and I couldn't find anyone to watch Blake,  so I figured I would take her. Going there was ok because it was her nap time but then when we got there she was wide awake and then it was time to stick her back in her car seat. She was NOT happy. I had to stop earlier than I planned to and feed her and get her out of her car seat and entertain her for a little bit. It took us almost 3 hours to get home..ugh. This just confirms that night time travel is the only way we will go for now on! I do think it is easier when you have hubby to help out though.

[justice6920]

We went to Albuquerque which is like a 9 hour drive UGH it was awful..... The baby actually did really well tho..... I sat in the back with Noah so I could feed him when he was hungry and he slept alot of the time..... would wake up and play with his blankie and go back to sleep lol I think its hard for them to stay awake in cars for long periods of time! But he did good no real fussing... when we would stop to gas up or pee we would check his diaper and get him out for a bit if he was awake! I am sure you will be fine... She will probably sleep most of the way! Just bring some little toys she likes to play with and plenty of bottled water to make her bottles!

[Jules31981]

I totally agree leave at night or at least nap so she can sleep part of the trip.  We also bring a bottle and toys.  Half  the time Mady screams anyways so bring tunes you like too!!

[Jem75]

i sat in the back seat with hayden and fed her a bottle. Can't burp her - but helped when we  were driving back on 4th of July from out of town.

[Irish741]

I have only traveled once so far and it was a 3.5 hr drive so I was able to make it in between feedings. Thankfully Jack slept all the way. Sounds like leaving at night is key...great idea if you can do it. Good luck and have fun in PS. :)

[AmyC311]

We went to Arkansas ( 4 1/2 hours) to visit my hubby's parents. We left at night because it took us awhile to get everything together and  I totally suggest it! She went to sleep because it was her bedtime anyways and when we arrived she woke up for maybe an hour and then fell back asleep.

I say if you can swing it...go at bedtime! :)

[toes33107]

We had a lot of trouble traveling the first few times!  We just made sure he was fed, ready for a nap, had a diaper, and had his blanket.  We also bought a hangy mirror thing for the headrest that has three mobile animals on it.  I think part of his problem was that we always put the shade so far down cuz of the sun, and he'd get irritated because he couldn't see.  So, we also bought the roller shade for the side and one for the back window.  Also, that mobile thing plays music.  We also have a lullaby CD that we sometimes play.  Those are pretty much the basics of what we do, and we have a 5 hour drive to MN to visit my parents.  I warn you, you may have to traverse over the seats to the backseat to ease the crying!!!!  Good luck!