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Road Trip with a newborn

So I might be crazy, but I'm going to attempt driving from ME to NY with the baby (7 hour drive). Usually the baby sleeps very well in the car.DH and I have taken him out for 3-5 hours to DR appointments, shopping, etc where he has pretty much slept the entire time, so I'm thinking (hoping) he sleeps most of the way to NY.

I will have my brother with me to help out.  So if I need to get out to stretch my legs, use bathroom, walk dog etc. he can stay and watch the baby in the car so I don't have to juggle carrying  the baby around at rest stops. Also I figure if the baby wakes up and gets fussy my brother can sit in he back with the baby and give him a pacifier and/or entertain him or whatever to calm him down if need be while I drive.

I figure we'll stop to feed him, change diaper, let him stretch a bit, etc at least once if not more. I can change and feed him in the car at a rest stop. I figure I'll also bring some pumped milk too. With all the fussiness during feeding we've dealt with I think it might be a good idea to have a bottle as a back up, so I'm not sitting at a restop for 2 hours trying to feed a screaming baby.

Any other tips or suggestions?? 

Re: Road Trip with a newborn

  • Its a little different but last spring we drove to Washington DC with the boys and they were just turning 2.  We drove overnight so that it would be assumed they would sleep the majority of it, however we found that they woke up at 3AM and stayed awake for the rest of the trip... at 2.. though they could sit and entertain themselves but we still gave them lots of snacks and new toys to play with. 
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  • I don't have any advice but I hope it goes well! Definitely let us know, since I'm sure we will be making a similar trek (here to PA) to visit DHs family soon after the little one arrives.
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  • We are heading to NJ on Friday. I'll let you know how it goes. 
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  • imageGlitzyklm:
    We are heading to NJ on Friday. I'll let you know how it goes. 

    That would be great! Good Luck!

  • We drove from Maine to Louisiana for the big move when Will was about 6 weeks old, and it went surprisingly well. The biggest key (at least, for us) was to break it up into sections: our goal was only about 6 hours/300 miles in the car per day, and we would stop at least once half way. We were traveling in separate cars, so we would take turns running into the rest stop, fueling up, etc. I would nurse him in the parking lot, which was pretty easy since he was still small. I definitely recommend having a bottle or two on hand for easy feedings, especially if you've had problems in the past, and your brother can also hop in the back to feed him if need be underway. If you don't have window blinds for the backseat, I would advise getting a set of those too, so you're not dealing with super bright sunlight in LO's eyes. 

    Pretty much, just try to keep your schedule as close to normal as possible and be flexible. It sounds like you've got a great plan so far, I'm sure it'll go just fine!  

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  • We went from ME to NY with a 2 1/2 week old.  It was easy peasy.  I'd just say be prepared to stop when it's time.
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  • Tim and I did lots of trips back and forth to VT multiple times.  A four hour drive usually took between 5-51/2 because of the stops.  Keep that in mind, but it sounds like you have a good plan.  It was ALWAYS helpful to have a back street driver to keep the kiddo entertained when you're not close to an exit or stop.  We always, and still do, try to time long car rides with naps or sleepy time.  It's much easier.  Good luck!
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  • We did a nine hour car drive with Owen when he was 6 weeks old.  Aside from the blowout that compromised the car seat and had us changing him on a picnic bench at a rest stop, it was easy as pie.  He slept the whole way.  Maybe you'll get that lucky too!

     

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