Would you?

[disneymama73]

My husband wants to drive to WDW in October with our three kids who will be 5-yrs, 3-yrs and 3 mos. Would you drive to Orlando from Chicago with a 3-mos-old? We drove in Oct., and it was great fun! The kids watched movies, sang songs, slept, etc. We had a really good time!

But I'm concerned about making such a long drive with a 3-mos-old baby. Has anyone done this? Would you even consider it?

As much as I enjoyed driving, it just seems like it would be easier to hop on a plane and get there already! My husband said no way because of the $$$.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

TIA!

 

[GEM]

I guess it depends on the personality of the baby. Our little guy has always been very laid back and easy to deal with. He's always slept in his car seat and was (and is still at 10 months) a breeze to travel with. When he was 4 months old we went on a sort of mini-vacation (4 days) with some friends and their kids, ages 4 and 7. Of the three children on the trip, our 4 month old was BY FAR the easiest to deal with in the car and on the trip in general. He just slept in the car and was totally happy to just ride around in his sling checking things out. He was also exclusively breastfed (no solids until 6 months) so we didn't have to worry about bottles, food, etc. I figure it was the easiest trip we will ever go on with him!

 

[Barb D]

We drove from Baltimore with a 5mo. It worked out fine. Her sibs entertained her in the back seat when she was awake, and we switched seats if necessary so that I could entertain her. If she got too upset, we'd just stop for a while.

The advantage of driving over flying is that you can take much more stuff with you, you can stop and get out whenever you want, and you're on your own schedule. Plus you have your car there when you get there. Flying is more time consuming than you'd think, and plus you have to schlep all that stuff through the airport, security, etc.

 

[disneymama73]

Originally posted by GEM
I guess it depends on the personality of the baby. Our little guy has always been very laid back and easy to deal with. He's always slept in his car seat and was (and is still at 10 months) a breeze to travel with. When he was 4 months old we went on a sort of mini-vacation (4 days) with some friends and their kids, ages 4 and 7. Of the three children on the trip, our 4 month old was BY FAR the easiest to deal with in the car and on the trip in general. He just slept in the car and was totally happy to just ride around in his sling checking things out. He was also exclusively breastfed (no solids until 6 months) so we didn't have to worry about bottles, food, etc. I figure it was the easiest trip we will ever go on with him!

That's a good point! It's impossible to know what the baby's personality will be like until s/he is born. I just keep remembering my youngest and the way she would scream every time we were in the car. Even on short trips to the grocery store. She didn't stop until she was around 2 and we bought the vcr/dvd player for the car.

Thanks for your post!

 

[disneymama73]

Originally posted by Barb D
We drove from Baltimore with a 5mo. It worked out fine. Her sibs entertained her in the back seat when she was awake, and we switched seats if necessary so that I could entertain her. If she got too upset, we'd just stop for a while.

The advantage of driving over flying is that you can take much more stuff with you, you can stop and get out whenever you want, and you're on your own schedule. Plus you have your car there when you get there. Flying is more time consuming than you'd think, and plus you have to schlep all that stuff through the airport, security, etc.

OH, very true! It would be nice to have the car once we're there. We took our first child when she was 6-mos for the first time, and our second child's first trip was at 4-mos. We flew both of those times (we've been back 5 times in the past 4 years - flew all those times except for last Oct.), but I remember wishing we had a car. We have a minivan, so we could really bring a lot of stuff that we wouldn't be able to bring if we were flying...

Good thoughts! Thanks!

 

[Jacksmom99]

DD went for the first time when she was 3 mo old. We drove from MA and she was fine. I was very nervous because she had been screaming on all car rides until I took out that annoying "head pillow" that comes with the infant seats. She apparently hated that thing around her head and was much better once it was gone. I was breast feeding her at the time so we timed our bathroom breaks around her schedule. The trip with the stops took a little longer than usual, maybe by an hour or two, but we stop halfway and make it a 2 day trip.

 

[Kermit]

I agree that it depends completely on the baby. We drove from SC to San Antonio (about 17 hours) when DS was 3.5 months, and it really wasn't that bad at all. We had to pull over and nurse him every once in a while, but they sleep so much at that age that most of the time was smooth sailing.

Do remember to take little baby sunglasses with you if you drive, if the baby tolerates them. We used them when it was sunny and at night while driving through cities. The street lights didn't wake him up if he was wearing sunglasses.

 

[NikiM20]

We are driving with DD who is 4 1/2. we are going to bring lots of stuff. It is about a 14 hr drive and were gonna have to stop somewhere to spend the nite. (I dont fly)Good luck

 

[Lorix2]

We've driven 2x now with our kids from NH, not with a baby, but would imagine the baby at that age would be the best passenger

They'd probably sleep most of the time and you'd stop for breaks when needed and take care of everyone's needs then (diaper change, bathroom, feeding, eating for the older ones and yourselves). Just make sure the baby is dressed as comfortably as you can make him/her, no bunched up clothing to make them cranky and uncomfortable. Just a light blankie over him/her would be fine anytime of year since the car's temp can be made to everyone's liking.

If $$ is an issue with flying and you're determined to go, this is your only choice, right

I'm sure everything will go fine if you prepare for anything and go with a "even if the kids meltdown a little, I won't let it ruin our vacation" type attitude

p.s. edited to add that we also bought an inexpensive plug in cooler for the ride. We packed juice/water bottles and gingerale (helps calm stomach for travel sickness) and lunches/snacks for the first leg of our trip. The kids were thrilled to pull out something when they felt hungry or thirsty.

 

[castlegazer]

We didn't drive to Disney but drove to Philly with my DS when h was very little. He slept most of the time but what I wanted to post was to make sure you plan breastfeeding or bottle appropriately. We stopped in at AAA and mapped out restaurants or sights to see every two hours segment of our trip because two hours is about the length of time they can stand to be in their seats without screaming a terrible fuss and they need a bottle or to be breastfed. With your two others keeping the wee one amused will be no problem whatsoever.