Road Trip Tip?

Jodi - posted on 12/18/2009

My daughter HATES being in the car, doesn't matter if it's 10 minutes or 2 hours. (The nearest walmart or ANY department store is over an hour away for us). That said, I've learned a few tricks with her! I keep a basket in the front seat and basket under her seat (she faces forward now). In my basket I keep ALL sorts of things! Keys that have no use on a ring, a frenchfry container, a straw, toys, candybar wrapper, empty pop bottle, you NEVER know what will interest your child, I even have a dead phone and remote in there! As she gets bored with one, I hand back another. Also, I like the suggestion of getting NEW toys to play with. And books, if you can sit in back with her, read...my daughter LOVES the pictures and turning the pages. Is she holding and eating grahmcrackers or biter biscuits yet? If so, that should keep her occupied for a while, as well as a bottle. Itsy bitsy spider, where is thumbkin, I'm a little teapot, things like that are always fun. And stop often, give your baby a chance to stretch out of the carseat! Good luck!!!

Olesya - posted on 12/18/2009

We did that for thanksgiving with our 11 months old. He did great most of the trip, but we did stop about every two hours to walk him around. I suggest you pack a bag with essentials for the baby and yourself for the one night you plan to stay somewhere so you don't have to unpack the entire car. Also make sure you have space to sit next to the baby if you have too. And of course have toys for the trip. Mine loves any musical toys so I had his favorite and a new one that I bought for the trip in the car. If you don't have one already buy a changing station, I find them to be very convenient.

Jillian - posted on 12/18/2009

Thank you sooo much ladies for all of the advice. Hopefully everything will go well. Even with all of the stress of planning this trip and the journey up there I know it will be worth all of the hardship when our family gets to meet their FIRST grandson. YAY! Can't wait to go now!

Charlene - posted on 12/18/2009

When my daughter was 8 months old we drove from Las Vegas, to Tampa.. She slept most of the way... I was so thankful for that.. because I was also 7 month pregnant.. and in NO shape to sit in the back seat with her..(Yeah I got pregnant the first time we had sex after given the OK)... Anyway... Def things to distract her.. New toys, favorite toys.... Think of music you might play if any at home... to make her feel like she is in her normal surroundings... Always keep the diaper bag things handy... You never know when you'll need it NOW!!! don't let it get on the bottom of packed things.. Also, take something you can lay out on the back seat, in the trunk, or where ever to change her... You never know when you only have the option to pull over on the side of the road to change her... and keep a few plastic bags handy for safe keeping til you get to a trash can.. Good luck..

Shannon - posted on 12/18/2009

food!!! and lots of it, i also agree with driving at night and make sure one of you can get in the back to play with them for a while. Have fun

Rebecca - posted on 12/18/2009

Mine slept most of the way as well at that age...he is now 2 and it's a nightmare! lol. Bring some rattles, stuffed animals they like to look at and buy a mirrior for the back window so you can see the baby from your rearview mirrior, we would have died without ours! Our day\ughter is 5 months and we too will be making this trip for the frist time with her as well...our son hates it but only after about hour 7...we go 9 hours. As far as essentials make sure you have enough clean bottles packed, lots of diapers and wipes burp blankets change of clothes, for you and baby;) and try not to be tight on schedule. Our first trip with our son he was 3.5 months old and we stopped every 2 hours to feed and we gave his legs time out of his seat as well. Don't put the baby in the carseat with thick clothing as well. Just a onsie and some stretchyu pants will be fine. We carreid our son out to his seat in a thick blanket and then transfered him to his seat when the car was warmed up. Good luck and drive safe!!

Devon - posted on 12/18/2009

Kind of related...I told my daughter we were going on a road trip and she said " you mean that big road tripped and fell" LOL

Michelle - posted on 12/18/2009

If you are spending the night at a hotel I would have a bag packed with just what you will need for 1 night that way you don't have to unpack the whole car. also have extra clothes and diapers in the diaper bag so you don't have to dig extras out if you need them.

Jeni - posted on 12/18/2009

Travel at night when they are sleeping this always worked best for us!

Sheryl - posted on 12/18/2009

with my sons they slept most of the way! but we also seem to take stops when needed, for diapers changes! my son always slept better when i would check about an hour after they drink something. plus, i would make sure got they fav toy or whatever it is that helps them sleep or just feel better. hope that helps!

Angie - posted on 12/18/2009

My favorite packing trick is to pack each outfit in a separte zip loc bag. When you get to your location you will find it quick and easy to get baby dressed each day. I also got a couple of new toys for them to play with on the road. Kristen is right, they stay distracted longer while they learn about their new toy.

Kristen - posted on 12/18/2009

When ours was that little, he slept most of the time we were in the car. So, I will keep my fingers crossed that yours will do the same. But, the best advice I can give is to bring/buy toys that they have never played with before. Not your regular toys from home. It keeps their interest longer!