10 TIPS FOR ROAD TRIPPING WITH AN INFANT THAT WILL MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER
It all begins with an idea.
Growing up, road trips were the norm for my family. Most of our extended family lived in Maryland and the southern states, while my immediate family made a life in New Jersey.
My parents are big travelers and we often spent lots of time in the car as kids — especially on holidays. I really didn’t mind it. I always slept great in the car and loved being able to tour the countryside! Well, needless to say, my love for road trips has grown into adulthood. Which is great because my parents have resided in Myrtle Beach, meaning I have had to make that 8+ hour drive multiple times in the past few years. (And yes, I even drove myself there and back while I was pregnant TWICE!)
That being said, below are some tips to make life easier when traveling with an infant. Some of them I’ve even learned through trial and error!
Stop Every 3 to 4 Hours. I know what you’re thinking… This will make your trip even LONGER.
Unfortunately, yes it will. But it’s much better to have a happy baby in the back seat every 3 hours, then a screaming, unhappy baby in the back seat for 10+ hours! Plus, you’ll be able to keep them on a typical feed / nap schedule during your trip.
When you stop, I recommend you change them, feed them, let them stretch their legs and get fresh air and then check to see if they need to be changed again before you get back on the road. You want to stick to this order to prevent car sickness right after eating.
If you feed your baby and put them right back in the car seat, you risk them spitting up soon afterwards, which will make you have to stop AGAIN.
Also, this is a perfect time for mom and dad to get a bite to eat and stop for gas. Rest stops or Cracker Barrels are the best places for these types of stops… plenty of things for baby to look at and most Cracker Barrels are almost always nearby gas stations for this reason!
Bring a Baby Blanket & Baby Lovey. Does your baby have a lovey or a favorite blanket? Bring that with you on the road trip.
When a baby is stuck in a seat with straps for long periods of time, it can cause distress for them. Having that familiar snuggly item with them will help calm them down.
Parents, make sure you also grab a blanket and neck pillow for yourself, especially if you want to take a nap in the back seat — when you’re not driving, of course!
Invest in a Window Shade. This one I’ve learned through trial and error. Make sure you have a good window shade for the window closest to the car seat.
There’s nothing worse than having a sleeping baby in the back that’s suddenly woken up by a glaring sun in their eyes and face!
Having a window shade will prevent this from happening and will provide a darker environment for them that they typically get during their nap times.
Parents, don’t forget your sunglasses. Even cloudy days can cause you to squint, which can lead to headaches after driving or traveling in a car all day.
Make Sure You Pack the Sound Machine. Yep, this one is important.
Moms, if your baby is used to napping with a sound machine, you will want to make sure you pack a portable sound machine to have in the car with you. Do not just think that the motion of the car will help them fall asleep.
I’ve learned that, sometimes, they actually need both to fall asleep due to large amounts of overstimulation.
Remember, this isn’t their typical environment so babies can have a touch of FOMO (fear of missing out) on road trips — especially if you have a dog in the car or you’re sitting in the back seat with them.
Go with the Sleep n’ Plays. They’re babies. Let them wear their pajamas in the car.
Think about it — when you’re traveling, whether it be through car or plane, YOU wear the comfiest outfit you can find. Let your baby be comfy in their car seat.
Find the comfiest, snuggliest, most softest sleeper(s) you can find and put them in it. You’ll thank me later. (Don’t forget to pack a couple in case of blowouts or spit up!)
Stock up on Trash Bags, Wipes, Hand Sanitizer and Tissues. I have an over-the-seat organizer in my car that I love. I keep all the extra items that I normally would need on road trips in this thing for every day life.
But, make sure you are fully stocked up before you leave for your road trip.
You never know when you’ll need these things, trust me! Blow outs CAN happen!
Pack Plenty of Snacks & Formula. Moms that formula feed, I highly recommend you pre-make bottles of powdered only formula AND a large thermos of warm water.
That way, when it’s time to feed them, you can easily add water to the bottles and shake it all up.
Also, make sure you have plenty of snacks. Babies and toddlers tend to get more car sick if they have an empty stomach.
Don’t Forget the Baby Medicines. Babies still teeth on long road trips!
Make sure you pack Infant Tylenol, Infant Teething Gel, Gripe Water (if newborn), Diaper Rash Cream, B
Mom and dad, if you were traveling all day and got a headache in the car, would you have Tylenol on you? You probably answered yes. So, you want to make sure you have that kind of stuff for baby!
Travel Overnight if You Can Swing That. By the time you feel comfortable going on a long car ride with a baby, that baby is most likely sleeping through the night… or at least 6 to 8 hours stretches.
If you can swing it with your schedule and by switching off drivers, I highly recommend you start traveling at bed time and throughout the night.
If you do this, baby will fall asleep and most likely sleep through the entire trip without having to wake up to feed, thus allowing you to make less stops. Plus, traffic should definitely be very minimal!
There are some cons to this: Finding places to eat and to use the bathroom are minimal at night and your baby will obviously wake up the next day refreshed, while mom and dad might be groggy.
Don’t Forget the Entertainment. Babies can get bored, especially when stuck in the car seat.
You want to make sure you bring plenty of toys to keep them occupied. Books (if you can read while riding in a car) are great to keep your baby entertained while awake. You can also pack any toys that sing and light up to keep them stimulated throughout the ride.
Also, I would always have a parent (if no other siblings are present) sit in the back with the baby. If you do this, you can talk and play with them to help keep their little brains occupied!
Don’t worry, Mama! You can road trip with your baby — plenty of moms have done it and lived to tell the tale. For more behind-the-scenes of Motherhood, visit my Instagram: @loveheatherlouise … Happy Traveling ya’ll!