Travelling by car with newborn

[zuzkah]

Thinking of taking a newborn for a longish car journey - 6 - 12hours. Is it safe? Anything I should be worried about? Has anyone done it? Thanks for any advice.

[MrsCellophane]

With any child, I would stop at least every 2 hours.

Service stations provide microwaves, should you need them, for bottle warming. Alternatively, I bought a flask with bottle-warming container and did it in the car - though you might need to leave the heating on at this time of year.

Out of interest, 6 to 12 hours? Thinking of 2 different destinations, or a possibility of very heavy traffic?!

[MrsCellophane]

With any child, I would stop at least every 2 hours.

Service stations provide microwaves, should you need them, for bottle warming. Alternatively, I bought a flask with bottle-warming container and did it in the car - though you might need to leave the heating on at this time of year.

Out of interest, 6 to 12 hours? Thinking of 2 different destinations, or a possibility of very heavy traffic?!

[TheBlonde]

It will take you twice as long as it would without a baby due to stopping for feeds and nappies

[starshaker]

i travelled up to aberdeen (about 5 hours away) when dd was about 2 weeks. i left as soon as she had a feed she then slept for the majority of the time and i stopped when she woke for her next feed. i did this on my own so she was in the front with me but if ur traveling with dh/p then if 1 sits in the back.

[zuzkah]

MrsCellophane - It's gonna be approx 10 - 12 hours journey but we are thinking of maybe breaking it to stop overnite somewhere. Ive heard its not very good for newborns to be in a carseat for too long. The baby would be 2 to 4 weeks and I plan to breastfeed (hopefully).
TheBlonde - Well that would make 24 hour journey then Better to stop overnite I guess.
starshaker - Wow, you are brave do it on your own with a newborn. Good for you. I'm gonna travel with my dp so no prob there.

[MrsCellophane]

I think I would opt for the overnight stop too.

[PutThatInYourPipeandSmokeIt]

Just be careful baby doesn't overheat which can happen in a car seat. I would have someone in the back with it and stop regularly for feeds and a cuddle and nappies etc.