Car Trip with a Two Month Old

This is actually the perfect time for a road trip. This age doesn't need much outside stimulation to be content. He'll probably sleep most of the time. You'll have to stop to feed him and change the diaper, but they're usually pretty comfortable in the carseats. Just don't try to put him in any kind of fancy "cute" outfit that may be uncomfortable for him to really relax in.
You'll all be fine and you'll have a great holiday trip. Good luck!

I took my 4 month old to Ohio and back.We did stay one night in Tennesse going and coming back so it did break it up a little bit. We did start out at night so it was her bedtime anyway and tried to stop at rest areas when she woke up. She did sleep the majority of the time. I know 4 months its a little different then 2 months. I was very stern about not taking her out of the carseat while we were driving so I would pump in the backseat and then feed her a bottle to try to calm her. If that didn't work then we would stop. Try to be patient as its not just you anymore. Before the baby we would travel all night and not stop at all NOW it is very much different All in All in actually went very well!!! We had a great time.

I have taken trips with my son while he was young, It wasn't quite 20 hrs but it was 13-14 hrs. As your son he sleeps in the car..even to this day and he is 12. I think those are the best type of kids to travel with..those that sleep. I don't see any problems with traveling with him that long. I would get him out the car each time you stop for gas, check the normal diaper thing and just spend a lil time with him out of the car then carry on with your trip. That is the best age because you don't have to hear the whole are we there yet, I have to pee, I'm hungry and so on. Good luck and enjoy your Christmas with you family. Besides the earlier you start with long trips the more they will be used to it later.

First of all I would have a little morte realistic expectations. You are going to need more then one night in a hotel because of all of the stops it will take. Not only will you have to stop around every 2-3hrs to feed him but he will need time out of the car as well. You can't expect him to sit that long in the car. Traveling so far with such a young child is going to be every hard on both of you. I would personally rather enjoy my son's first christmas instead of worring about icy roads and a baby crying in the car etc. See if your family can't visit you. You will feel so guilty letting him cry while you try to find a rest area or gas station especially since he has been in the car for so many hours. I flew with my eldest when she was only 8 weeks old. I was breast feeding and no it wasn't during the holidays but we did have an 8hr lay over anyways. The trip went great no ear pressure, she never got a cold or anything. I would rethink your trip. If you go good luck with the baby and realize a 20 hr trip could take 30hrs with a 2 mth old.

It is much easier to take a trip with a child that age. When my youngest was 2 weeks old. We fled from Hurricane Frances (I think was the name) and we had a 8 year old 4 year old, 2 two year olds, 3 month old and my 2 week old. Trust me they are the easiest!

This sounds like fun! My favorite memory is taking a long trip with our daughter from FL to NY. We stopped in NC, a perfect half-way to visit family. Your son will probably sleep most of the way. I suggest leaving early in the a.m. between 4-5, that way by 7 or 8 you've missed the rush hour traffic and you've made some headway and are ready to eat breakfast somewhere. Just doublecheck the infant seat, make sure it's not tilted too far forward so his little head doesn't come forward. NEVER remove him from his seat while driving. It's always better to exit and find a safe place to get some fresh air than take him out for "just a quick diaper change." Those few moments could change everyone's lives. Have fun and way to get him use to the flow! The more comfortable you are, the more he will be. He doesn't need any entertainment, just some eye contact while he's awake. Plan to sit in the back with him when he's awake.

I drove from FL to SC when my daughter was 3 months old. While this is only a 7 hr drive, she was a perfect angel. She slept the whole way, waking MAYBE twice to nurse. I made the same trip this past September, she was 21 months old, and I wished she was 3 months again. lol. I refuse to fly b/c 1) I hate flying and 2) It s so hard to pack everything you need into bags that will fit on the plane. Good luck with the trip.

Hello J.,

I used to do alot of traveling from LA. to FL. and back again.

Here is what i think would help you all on your trip.

1st -- nice, soft music for the baby to sleep to.
2nd -- put the little one in P.J.'s something nice and soft, NOTHING HOT, NO SHOES (USE SOCKS). nice thin blanlet to cover the little one when he is in his car seat.
3rd -- Check the car seat and make sure that it is in nice and tight to the car.
4th -- This is very important for you to remember. YOU ARE IN THE FRONT SEAT AND YOU ARE WEARING A SEAT BELT THAT ALLOWS YOU TO MOVE FORWARD OR SIDE TO SIDE. THE BABY IS STUCK IN ONE SPOT AND HE CAN NOT MOVE.

HOW DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD DO IN THAT SITUATION FOR SEVERAL HOURS?

I know that it sounds rough having to stop often but it is going to be very important for the little one.
Maybe about every 2 hours to 2 and 1/2 hours.

5th -- When you stop to change the little one and feed him, after you are done feeding him put him on your lap (on his tummy) and rub his BACK and ARMS and LEGS so that you and get his blood flow going and it will make him happy and it will make him tired and relaxed.

Give him a nice big hug and kiss and put him in his car seat.

6th -- Babys need to be in a rear facing postion in the care seat, your little one might feel all alone when he is awake because he will not be able to see anyone, just the sky.
Take a picture of yourself and tape it to the back of the seat near his feet, high enough to where he can see it but not to high. So that way he can see his favorite person in this whole wide world (MOMMY).

7th -- This is very important. Your little one might not like the ride and he might have car sickness (IT HAPPENS).
Some babys will cry and cry.
DO NOT HOLD THE BABY when someone is driving. It might feel like it is the easiest thing to do to get the little one to rest and be quite. But it is not the safest way.

Last but not least, IF THE BABY IS SLEEPING. LEAVE HIM ALONE.
:)

I hope that you can find this helpful and i hope that you have a wonderful Christmas.

God Bless and take care, on and off the road.

From one mother to another.

When my son was 6 weeks old we took a road trip from Clearwater to Nashville. We did it at night to start off with so my son slept thru the night. Stopping at a hotel is a great idea and will makes things much easier. Just make sure that you buy those plastic pullup underwear(I think they are called training pants) to put on after the diaper so if the diaper leaks your carseat is not out of commission. A blowout of poop in a carseat during a trip is NOT fun! :) Have fun!

When my son was 3 1/2 months we drove to SC. About a 12 hour trip with the baby. He slept nearly the whole time which was good because while on vacation he hardly slept at all. It wasn't that bad actually. I had a hand pump so I pumped while we my husband drove so that Nolan had something to eat when he woke up. If we were stopped for gas or something I would change him and nurse him before we left. It was actually easier that year than it was this year when he was 15 months old and ready to get out and go! So don't worry about it, just be prepared for extra stops and time! HAve fun!

now is a good time to travel. the older they are, the less they sleep and will tolerate being stuck in a car seat.

Hi J.,
I think you are right that it will be easier than when he is older. If he sleeps well in the car, you should be okay. You will just have to take your time and divide it into 2 or even 3 days of driving with lots of stops for feeding and a bit of playtime (tummy time, stretching, baby massage, etc.) so he still gets plenty of contact and attention from you during that time. One of you will probably need to sit in the back seat with him the whole time too. I did a long trip with my daughter when she was that age and it was awful, but she never liked to sleep in the car so she cried the whole time!!Good Luck and Happy Holidays!

hi J.!
well i saw your request and i thought i might be able to lend a hand on this one!
when my daughter was almost that same age i too took a trip i think it was 18 hours...(not the point)..lol neways i figured out the trick actually on accident..
DO THE MAJORITY OF YOUR DRIVE AT NIGHT!it helps them to sleep.
it worked for me and i hope it will work for you!

We travel a lot and always have. You should definitely do it! I agree that it is crazy flying during the holidays! The first time I flew with my daughter she did get a cold, regardless of my attempts to keep her safe.
As for the car trip, just make sure you bring the toys and anything else(music) that he enjoys normally. Since he likes to sleep in the car it sounds like a perfect fit. Even though my daughter doesn't sleep in the car (and hates traffic!) she does well provided you stop every two to three hours, probably the amount of time between feedings and changes anyway. Be prepared to do some back seat riding though!

You may want to reconsider flying as doors really open when you are pushing a stroller. You will go to the top of the lines when going thru security, enter the plane first and be able to select seating where you want.when you check in ,they will issue you a pass for your stroller and you should be able to bring it straight to the planes entrance,they pu tit in the planes cargo hold and will be at the entrance as soon as you land.i suggest the first row seating as you will have more leg room and no one in front of you.
Pick a really early, mid afternoon or really late flight to avoid crowds.tickets should be cheaper at these times too. Try to get a direct flight!!!!try to depart and land at smaller airports if you can. Avoid the majors lax or jfk
bring alcohol wipes to wipe your hands and surfaces. Pack really well and make your carry on really accessible for inspection. Carry a change of clothes and light wraps for baby.present any baby formula or liquids.or use dry powder and ask forwater on board.wear slip on shoes and no belt buckles or metallic jewellery.
My husband and i travelled to australia when my baby was 8mths old. We were in transit for 30+ hours and managed very well.it will be much better and safer than car travel and will be cost effective.

I did this when my daughter was about the same age and she slept 3 hour stretches on the road. It all depends on if you are nursing or formula feeding. I nursed so we had to stop for a little longer period than if you are bottle feeding. Also we did diaper changes every time we stopped to feed. After the road trip though I promised I would fly the next time b/c it made the trip alot longer and at night time the baby was tired of the car seat.

Just remember that while him sleeping during the drive is great. You will need to sleep when you are done driving and he'll be all rested and ready to NOT sleep.
I made a trip across country flying home with 3 kids one of which was the baby. It was a nightmare as far as the flights go. The kids were great, but we swore we'd never travel during the holidays again.
But, I'd fly that few hours before I'd drive that long with a baby. There are going to be a lot of people on the roads then too which is going to greatly affect the safety on the roads as well.
Don't forget that 20 hours of driving will have to be done again when it's time to come home. I think with gas prices and the expense of food and hotels you'd spend the same if not less on airfare.
If you do decide to drive it, I would stop every couple of hours and get out stretch, change the baby, play with him those sorts of things. It will add time to the trip, but you really have to get out as often as possible.
Good luck!

We took our first long car trip with my daughter just before she was 1 year old. We left in the evening (8:00pm) and took turns driving. She slept for like 10 hours in the car seat. We did stop a couple of times for gas and did a quick diaper change, but otherwise she was out all night. When she woke up the next morning, we stopped for breakfast to take a break and just kept on going. Our drive was 18 hours. Good luck. I don't think it will be too bad at his age.

K.

I took a trip like this when I had my 10month old son and my 1month old nephew in the car. We stoped every couple of hours for about 15-20min breaks at a time. We took this time to do bathroom breaks, feed and change the baby, and eat. Then we were back on the road. We were taking a trip from MI to FL at that time which is around the same time length of trip. The babies do tend to sleep while on the trip wich is good, but in case he wakes up make sure there is room for you to sit next to him for part of the trip, this will make it a little easier on him as well.

I took a trip by myself with my son when he was about 3 mths. We went from Tacoma, WA to Redding, CA. It's about a 12 hr drive. I stopped every 4 hrs to feed him and stopped 8 hrs into the trip for the night. It really wasn't that bad of a trip. Which surprised me. He would get fussy about the 3 and half hr mark when he was ready to get out of the car seat. My advice is to stop when you would normally feed him and get all three of you out of the car and strecht. Let the little one see new things. He'll enjoy it. Don't get to worried about the trip it will be a whole lot easier then flying at that time of year. Good luck!!!!!

Hi J.,

I was a new mom when I took my 3 month old on a long car trip. In my ignorance, I didn't realize that just the sun shining in the car could dehydrate her. I learned quickly, but of course not knowing what was going on I thought I had killed her, lol.

All this to say, your son will do fine. Just make sure you have him shaded at all times, give him plenty of water, and make sure there is pedialyte available in case of an emergency.

Have a wonderful Christmas and I agree with you about the plane!

M.

I have when my children were younger. They pretty much sleep all the time. My children are toddlers now and it is harder because they are awake more and hate to be in a car for long periods of time. If your baby has established set sleep patterns try to do most of your driving then. Try to put some type of thing baby likes to look at close so they have something to do when awake and a safe stuffed animal close by. Good luck!