Road trip with infant

[minkydog]

We took a 24hr car trip with my first baby. We learned our lesson and never tried that again. Some babies never sleep and hate carseats. Mine was like tat. Plus, he had a raging case of colic so even on his good days he screamed for 4-5hrs each evening. He wanted to nurse every 2hours, day &night so I was extremely sleep deprived. I don't know what even possessed us!

I'd suggest you try to fly, if you can. Even that can be a PITA, but you won't be on your seat for 2days.

 

[pinkxray]

No way. I would probably consider it with another driver but no way on my own.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

I wouldn't do it because that would mean that baby would be rear facing for 2 days where you couldn't see the baby if it choked or puked, etc.

At that age I wouldn't do it if I couldn't fly.

 

[Lilliputian]

I'm a mom of 5 so have had a variety of 1 month old babies. There is no way on earth I'd consider it. Even with another driver it would be a HUGE hassle, but considering the circumstances, I *might* force myself to do it. Without another driver, it would be out of the question.

You would have to allow at least 3 days driving time, and you'd have to be prepared to stop in a lot of strange places to nurse. Babies need time out of their carseats, and that would be really hard to do without another person. Even a bathroom break would become a big ordeal.

You should ask your OB if it's okay. Sitting for that long increases your risk of blood clots, as does child birth. It's probably not a good idea to sit that long.

 

[sam_gordon]

I wouldn't do it because that would mean that baby would be rear facing for 2 days where you couldn't see the baby if it choked or puked, etc.

You can get mirrors that reflect into the cars review mirror so you can see the baby's face. Even with that though, I wouldn't try this.

 

[maxiesmom]

You can get mirrors that reflect into the cars review mirror so you can see the baby's face. Even with that though, I wouldn't try this.

While I get that it is a good thing to be able to peak back at the baby to make sure they are ok, it is bad to keep taking your eyes off of the road to do so.

No way would I make that trip without another adult along. Too much can go wrong, and even if everything went fine, it would still be exhausting.

 

[pigletgirl]

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.

I would fly. DD is 5 weeks and I think I would have a mental breakdown driving all that way. With a baby this young, I have learned most passengers are pretty tolerant of a newborn. For you and your son's well being, definitely fly.

 

[froggygal1301]

We flew when DS was 2 months. Just fly. Yes, its a pain for a couple of hours but DS was a car sleeper too and slept through almost all of it. People tend to be forgiving and helpful when your LO is that small.Driving is going to be so much harder and you will be too exhausted to enjoy your family when you finally get there. If this may be your last time to see her don't risk that.

 

[PatsGirl]

If driving is the only way you can do it, then go ahead I'd most likely fly regardless of the pedi recommendations but if there was ever a time you could drive this kind of distance with a child, one month old is it. You know your baby best, does he/she sleep alot? how often does he/she eat? (both my babies were still nursing every 2 hours so it wouldn't have been possible - I barely had time to go grocery shopping lol). Is he/she prone to diaper rash? Lots of questions to ask yourself.

 

[J3nn78]

We drove 1100 miles with our 7 week old. However, I would NEVER have done it alone. Too many risk factors...sleep deprived mom, safety at rest stops, frazzled mom when baby won't stop crying while driving, etc...
Our son did well for the most part, but there were some hours either me or DH had to ride beside him and keep a binky in his mouth to soothe him.

Is there anyone who could go with you? A friend or other relative?

 

[java]

Can you Skype instead?

We drove about 20 hours with a 2 month old, but I said WE! I wouldn't have done it alone. It would have taken forever. Between having to stop for feedings and entertaining it would just take too long.

Do you have a local relative that might want to go? Or even one along the way?

 

[StephMK]

There is no way I would attempt that on my own. We did a 12 hr trip to see relatives when DS was 5 weeks. He was my 3rd and we'd planned the trip in advance. I figured, eh, my third, he'll be a month, easy, no problem. That was a nightmare road trip that we still shudder about!

He would sleep fine in the car but when we got to the hotel, he was wide awake & we were all ready to sleep. I was more tired than I thought I'd be the whole time and he wasn't on a schedule yet. He wanted to nurse frequently so that slowed us down. We were also dealing with a temperamental 2 yr old & bored 8yr but still. I would not try a road trip of that length alone.

As long as you & he are healthy, I would chance the flight to get him to my gma in a heartbeat though. Trust me, the hassle of dragging a car seat & stroller through an airport will be a FAR better than dealing with a 24 hr drive!

 

[njmom47]

We flew when our ds was 5 months old (older than your little one, yes). He was sitiing with our babysitter, and it happened that there were other grandma types sitting with her that were thrilled to hold him which gave our babysitter a break. However, ds was a very even-tempered baby, very go with the flow so that might've helped.
I wouldn't drive by myself, but possibly with another driver. You could sit in the backseat with the baby to keep an eye on him.

 

[SmallWorld71]

I've driven that far by myself: from FL to MA. But, I was with a 9 year old and a 13 year old. I would never attempt it with an infant!

Is the 24 hours travel time without breaks built in? If so, I would think your more realistic travel time would be 30+ hours and too much to do in 2 days. It's harder than it sounds. And, much more tiring. I ended up taking 3 days to drive it. I also can't imagine doing the journey without someone to talk to.

I have flow with my kids when they were 2 months old. It was a very easy flight. I nursed them and they slept and that was about it - even DD who was very colicky, slept on the plane at that age.

Honestly, I would either fly, Skype, or find another driver. Perhaps there is an older teen/ college student that your family knows who would do it for a little $? Or a friend who wants to get away? Not sure if there is anything interesting to see or do where your Gran is that might entice someone.

 

[MichelleVW]

I would buy a plane ticket and fly. I flew with my first child when she was 3 weeks old. I didn't ask the doctor, I just did it. It wasn't easy, but she slept on the plane both ways and we did fine. I even had a connection in Chicago with no stroller or car seat and had to hold her on my lap when I went to the bathroom.

Traveling with a baby takes some planning but it's nowhere near as hard as most people make it out to be. I would go, but fly, that's a long way to drive by yourself with a baby.

 

[laughinplace199]

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.

ITA.

I would fly or not go. Driving that far alone with a newborn just isn't a good idea.

 

[bc133]

We did a very long drive when we adopted our son. He was a day old & it took a day and a half to drive the normal 12 hours. BUT we also had my DH, DS & I in one car & my in-laws in another. It would have been really hard with just one person.

 

[Darcy03231]

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!!!

Is there anyway you can wait until the baby has had his/her six week shots and then fly?

There is no way I would make that kind of a road trip without another adult along.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I've been thinking about it more, and I really think it is dangerous for you to drive. Even splitting the trip, you are going to be up every 2 to 3 hours at night to feed the baby. You are not going to be getting enough sleep to safely drive for 8-10 hours a day. Driving while tired is as dangerous as driving drunk or texting while driving. You are putting your child's and your safety at risk.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

I've been thinking about it more, and I really think it is dangerous for you to drive. Even splitting the trip, you are going to be up every 2 to 3 hours at night to feed the baby. You are not going to be getting enough sleep to safely drive for 8-10 hours a day. Driving while tired is as dangerous as driving drunk or texting while driving. You are putting your child's and your safety at risk.

I completely agree. I wouldn't consider a trip like that alone with a newborn in a million years.