Road trip with infant

[FlyingDumbo]

Anyone ever do a long car trip with a 1 month old? I have a family member that is too sick to travel. She is a 24 hour road trip away so it would be two full days of driving and one night at a hotel. I would need to stop frequently to feed, diaper, etc. Gram is not going to be with us much longer, and has to go to the infusion clinic for her treatments and can't make it here to meet my son. She has been very tearful about not getting to meet the baby and I want to drive up and see her. The pediatrician ok'd it, but I am just wondering if anyone has done this before. The ped also said driving is better than flying at this age due to recycled air and germs. My husband will be back t work so it will just be me and my baby which is so nerve wracking. I am still leaning towards not going, but whenever I talk to my gram I want to hop in the car and go so badly!!!

 

[Christine]

I have not done it. I'm not sure I would since it is just you and no other adult. While it may be a perfectly fine trip, I just would not want something to happen with you and a one month old baby on the road.

 

[sam_gordon]

Anyone ever do a long car trip with a 1 month old? I have a family member that is too sick to travel. She is a 24 hour road trip away so it would be two full days of driving and one night at a hotel. I would need to stop frequently to feed, diaper, etc. Gram is not going to be with us much longer, and has to go to the infusion clinic for her treatments and can't make it here to meet my son. She has been very tearful about not getting to meet the baby and I want to drive up and see her. The pediatrician ok'd it, but I am just wondering if anyone has done this before. The ped also said driving is better than flying at this age due to recycled air and germs. My husband will be back t work so it will just be me and my baby which is so nerve wracking. I am still leaning towards not going, but whenever I talk to my gram I want to hop in the car and go so badly!!!

I'm sure it could be done, but man, I wouldn't want to do it. Those would be two EXTREMELY long days of driving (12+ hours), and I'm guessing, not a very restful sleep with having to feed the baby every couple hours, THEN you need to drive home.

I would ask the pediatrician when they'd be ok with flying.

And maybe try to skype or video chat somehow in the meantime?

 

[Sugardimples]

There is no way I would do this with a one month old baby.

 

[abdmom]

I did a road trip with a one month old with my first, with my dh driving. The distance was about 450 miles - all highway driving, in good weather. It took about 1/3 longer than pre-baby. No way would I do it that distance OR by myself, never mind both that distance and by myself.

 

[FlyingDumbo]

The pediatrician sad it will be the easiest time to take a road trip with a baby but I'm afraid of he sleep deprivation and driving. I'm leaning towards not going but I'm very tempted. The doctor made it sound like I was being neurotic for being nervous about it.

 

[Christine]

The pediatrician sad it will be the easiest time to take a road trip with a baby but I'm afraid of he sleep deprivation and driving. I'm leaning towards not going but I'm very tempted. The doctor made it sound like I was being neurotic or being nervous about it.

Did the pediatrician realize that you would be driving for 24 hours with no other adult (or driver) with you? I cannot believe a pediatrician would recommend that over a plane ride.

Yes, indeed, it is a good time to travel by car. We drove 8 hours to Massachusetts when my DD was 6 weeks old. She slept a lot of the way and was perfectly happy on stops. I could even have driven the 8 hours by myself with just her. But there is no way I would even attempt a 2 day road trip by myself with a 1 month old baby. Too many things can go wrong and I think you'll end up being sleep deprived and that's just not safe.

 

[akcire]

I'd probably go. I'd plan at least 3 days drive each way with a minimum of a week at the destination.

Also from the minute you leave the house have the kids butt painted with butt paste. Car seats are hot, if you can prevent a rash all the better

Pack some large blankets to put on the hotel floor while driving to allow the baby a bit of a stretch before bed. I'd also bring a bassinet or pack n play. Hotel pack n plays are scary dirty

 

[Janepod]

I would do it if there was another driver you could switch off with, but not alone. You'll have to stop all the time and you'll be so stressed and sleep deprived that it could set the stage for an accident or near miss.

Is there any way you could leave your baby at home and fly out for one or two days?

 

[sam_gordon]

I would do it if there was another driver you could switch off with, but not alone. You'll have to stop all the time and you'll be so stressed and sleep deprived that it could set the stage for an accident or near miss.

Is there any way you could leave your baby at home and fly out for one or two days?

I thought the OP's goal was for the grandmother to meet the baby.

 

[wiigirl]

I did a road trip with a one month old with my first, with my dh driving. The distance was about 450 miles - all highway driving, in good weather. It took about 1/3 longer than pre-baby. No way would I do it that distance OR by myself, never mind both that distance and by myself.

 

[Janepod]

Oh, my bad, I skimmed & thought she wanted to see her grandmother before she passed.

 

[sam_gordon]

Oh, my bad, I skimmed & thought she wanted to see her grandmother before she passed.

I think it's both.

However, I agree if the baby can stay with someone else, then I think that changes the equation.

 

[descovy]

We have driven 2,000 mi with a 2mo old before... although I had a second driver.

In your case, I would do it, but give yourself 3 days. That way you have plenty of time to rest/stop. 24hrs of drive-time divided by 3 days is 8hrs of driving/ day. Very doable and you can be well rested/ stop as needed.

The great thing is a newborn doesn't get bored... just sleeps a lot. 10x easier than a toddler!

 

[FlyingDumbo]

Yes, my Gram is devastated that she cant meet the baby so I want to bring him. I can break it up into 3 days, it just makes for a long trip to and from. I have heard from other people that they were able to fly at anything over 2 weeks old. I am going to ask one of the other pediatrician s in the office for their opinion on he can fly. It's a 2.5 hour flight. I am worried he will cry the whole time. He sleeps in the car.


I like the idea of having the car with the stroller and cars seat. Getting ff and on a plane with all that stuff seems difficult. And I feel worried for the people flying having to listen to him if he cries a lot.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

There is no way I think I could have done that.

Our youngest was 3 days old when my sister died. We decided to fly to get to the funeral. We had to get a written letter from the pediatrician because the airline said they didnt want to be legally responsible if his ear drums burst etc.

For you: I was thinking when you need bathroom breaks etc, I guess you will be putting the car seat carrier on the floor in one of the companion bathrooms etc?

Just so much to think about and do all by yourself etc.

If finances are a concern could another family member buy a ticket for you to fly?

Wishing you all the best whatever you decide.

 

[Poohforyou]

I personally wouldn't drive that far on my own with an infant. Is there anyone you can find to go with you? Maybe a college or high school aged kid you know or a teacher or retired person. I would just worry if something happened to me, like getting sick.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

No way, not by myself, not even breaking it up in to 3 days of driving.

 

[momz]

I traveled when DS was 8 weeks old. I was miserable! Baby did fine, but it was just awful for me. And that was with 2 drivers.

I was nursing (adds to the exhaustion), and I was experiencing some soreness...if you know what I mean. Also, surprise of all surprises, I got a visitor (thought that didn't happen when you are nursing). Cramping, breast pain, excessive bleeding...it was horrible. Not to mention the emotional wreck of being post partum AND pms. Did I mention I was miserable?

I would never do it again! Regret having done it then. We were traveling to see grandparents as well, but there wasn't any illness involved, so we didn't have that factor to contend with.

Anyway, while it's not likely that you will have these problems, just imagine the misery if you did, and you had no one there to support you.

 

[descovy]

My oldest was 5 weeks old when we flew for a funeral. No dr note was needed. She slept/nursed the entire way. Basically it was a 5 hr snugglefest... what newborn wouldn't crave that?