Road trip with infant

[Katy Belle]

All my babies went on 16 hour car trips when they were a month old. But DH was with me, and we stayed with friends at the half way mark.

Baby will likely sleep. But...have YOU ever driven that far by yourself? Are you good at staying awake? That is a really long trip to do all by yourself. Do you have a friend who could come along?

 

[MSSANDRA]

I think the risk of driving, far outweighs the risk of flying. Maybe if it was the middle of flu season, air travel with an infant would be more of a risk, but he still has some immunity from you, and if you are nursing....keep that up through the trip. Makes it not only healthier, but MUCH easier.

Even though I am a big fan of babies having their own seat, holding him as a lap baby may be easier. Use a good carrier and wear him onto the plane. You have to take him out for take off. Take only the stuff you need to get you there, and buy baby supplies when you arrive. I assume you will be at the family home so just a few clothes and you can wash. With a carrier you really would not need a stroller for a baby that young and maybe your mom can borrow a crib if you don't co-sleep.

As someone who has lost their mother, it will be worth the small risk to fly and all of the hassle to fill your mom's wish to see her grandchild.

 

[FlyingDumbo]

I have actually done this drive 8 times, 3 with mÿ husband the rest alone. Well, once with my howling cat who hates cars, but we moved here so he had to come in the car. Normally I do it with just one stop in a hotel, sleep til I feel rested then mosey on, I have done it without an overnight stay once but that was awful. I also had one incident where there was an 18 wheeler accident/ fire/ fatality and i was a bit behind it and I got stopped for 7 hours on the highway and nearly peed my pants.

GPS says 17 hours, but I normaly take longer than that. Not sure exactly how long it took me before. The thingis, if The baby sleeps in the car, he will prob be awake and want to party all night.

On Monday I'm chećking with anther pediatrician to see if we can fly. As awful as the flight will be, íts only a few hours. It is expensive, but I don't care at this point.

 

[mrsklamc]

How old is your little one now? Can you just do it before your DH goes back to work?

 

[FlyingDumbo]

He is 3 weeks old. My husband goes back to work Monday.

 

[mrsklamc]

I totally think the risk of driving outweigh the risk of flying. If you really don't want to fly, is there a relative where Gram is that could fly one way to you, and then drive back with you?

 

[pigletgirl]

He can fly. Infants have to be older than 7 days.

 

[MichelleVW]

On Monday I'm chećking with anther pediatrician to see if we can fly. As awful as the flight will be, íts only a few hours. It is expensive, but I don't care at this point.

Why do you have the ask the pediatrician? Isn't he YOUR baby?

I was military and had 6 weeks off when my girls were born. For the first one I was single and flew from Dallas to Wisconsin when she was 2 1/2 weeks old ALONE. With the second we drove from Dallas to Ohio, to New Hampshire back to Ohio and then back to Texas, starting when she was 2 weeks old.

 

[mom2rtk]

The thingis, if The baby sleeps in the car, he will prob be awake and want to party all night.

That was my very first thought. And precisely why I would never do it.

That's what takes it out of the realm of an long difficult drive and puts into the realm of a dangerous drive. Mom needs her rest.

 

[Kellydelly]

You don't have a friend or relative that would go with you? I would do it, just not alone. Otherwise it isn't a big deal. Unless your baby hates his car seat .

 

[FlyingDumbo]

You don't have a friend or relative that would go with you? I would do it, just not alone. Otherwise it isn't a big deal. Unless your baby hates his car seat .

My family, friends, and relatives all live at the destination not where I would be coming from . I moved out of state, and really aside from work friends, I don't have much of a social life here in my new state. All I do is work. Well until now that we have a new baby!

 

[FlyingDumbo]

Why do you have the ask the pediatrician? Isn't he YOUR baby?

I was military and had 6 weeks off when my girls were born. For the first one I was single and flew from Dallas to Wisconsin when she was 2 1/2 weeks old ALONE. With the second we drove from Dallas to Ohio, to New Hampshire back to Ohio and then back to Texas, starting when she was 2 weeks old.

The pediatrician that he sees said he can't fly, his immune system is not mature enough. So I'd like a second opinion from another pediatrician in the office since it seems the first ones opinion might be old school. I didn't realize this until I started talking to people about it.

And just because you can doesn't mean you should. This is my first child, so forgive me for trusting the opinion of the professional doctor. Yes he is my baby, that is why I'm concerned.

 

[pigletgirl]

The pediatrician that he sees said he can't fly, his immune system is not mature enough. So I'd like a second opinion from another pediatrician in the office since it seems the first ones opinion might be old school. I didn't realize this until I started talking to people about it.

And just because you can doesn't mean you should. This is my first child, so forgive me for trusting the opinion of the professional doctor. Yes he is my baby, that is why I'm concerned.

But it isn't RSV season, and maybe you could purchase a seat for him? Gives you more room.

 

[MichelleVW]

The pediatrician that he sees said he can't fly, his immune system is not mature enough. So I'd like a second opinion from another pediatrician in the office since it seems the first ones opinion might be old school. I didn't realize this until I started talking to people about it.

And just because you can doesn't mean you should. This is my first child, so forgive me for trusting the opinion of the professional doctor. Yes he is my baby, that is why I'm concerned.

I'm thinking 2 hours in a plane would be better than 2 days alone in a car. Honestly I understand asking their advice or opinion, but doctors aren't gods that you have to listen to without question. Being military I knew PLENTY of people that got on planes with a newborn, no one wanted to waste "free" vacation time.

If your baby is healthy there is no reason why they can't fly, it's way safer than driving 20 hours alone.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

If the next pediatrician says you can't fly, I highly recommend you postpone the trip. You grandmother feels bad that she can't see the baby, but she is going to feel worse if you crash trying to get there.

 

[sweetdana]

How about a happy medium ... A train ride. ( Or even a bis) Way more room, no driving for you. You can also rest, and you can play and spend some good times with him, no air pressure: recycled air issues. You would enjoy your son, instead of worrying about him,

I would not drive. I would be exhausted. The second I'd stop tired. .. The guy whose been sleeping all day is ready to play.


Also 1 note. My 1st dd loved cars from the hospital ride home. My 2 nd dd hated them until she was prolly 6/8 months. It was screams from the second she was in the car .

She also had to see me the second she woke up, and hated not having someone looking at her. ..,and cried the second she wet her pants. If any of these occurred by your self on the road it would be tough.

 

[ksjayhawks]

Agree with sweetdana about looking into the bus or train. Would be much easier on you and the baby.

 

[LuLuO]

If it is a 24 hour drive for you normally, then double that time with the baby. I would not do it. Completely unsafe in my opinion.

You have to do what you are comfortable with but I see no reason not to fly.

 

[LuLuO]

Agree with sweetdana about looking into the bus or train. Would be much easier on you and the baby.

Wouldn't a train be the same as a plane regarding recycled air, if that is the concern? And she'd be in there longer than if she flew.

 

[Christine]

Regarding the "recycled air" theory. Just google this term regarding plane rides. This hasn't been an issue since the 1970s. The air is totally filtered and is equivalent to what you would find in a hospital, office building, etc.

The danger from flying is being next to a person for 2 hours who is sitting next to you and might be sick. You can have this happen just by having visitors over.

I think many of us "old folks" remember the recycled air issue and maybe the pediatrician has got that stuck in his/her head.