Long Car journey with newborn

[NewGiraffe]

We are going on our first car journey next week to visit the grandparents - we have a 3 week old. We will be in the car 3hrs each way. I'm not driving so can sit next to baby in his car seat.
I expect he might sleep for lots of the journey, but we will need to feed and nappy change of course. Does anyone have any tips for car journeys and full days out with a newborn? Thank you x

[PotteringAlong]

You might not need to feed / nappy change. It takes 3.5 hours to my parents and we just used to do it in one trog down.

I would say that it’s a lot in a day. I’ve done it, but it’s not pleasant and I would stop overnight if I were you.

[heartshapedcloud]

Check the car seat safety rules www.lullabytrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/9-car-seat-factsheet-2019-09-09-1.pdf we don't leave our newborn in longer than about 30 mins without a short break but we are very cautious

[uglyface]

We did this at about seven weeks old; we timed it so we fed and changed just before leaving and that she would be tired anyway and sleep. Drove as far as we could until she woke, then repeated change and feed before final stretch.

Much easier than trying it with a toddler (that’s when you have to relax the screen time rules for your own sanity )

[NewGiraffe]

Thanks. Are we better off changing nappies in the back seat of the car rather than using motorway toilets? (Covid risk)

[MoreCookiesPlease]

I'd agree with PP - with a very young baby I'd have a break and take them out of the car seat at least once during that 3hr journey.
I'd probably change the nappy in the back seat when the car is parked obviously.

[user1493413286]

I always use the car as even pre Covid I found most changing stations grim. We were told to stop every hour to stretch DD out on longer journeys at that age. Also dress in the least clothes; a vest maybe as they get very hot in the car seats and you can put a blanket over and dress when you arrive if they get cold.

[jessstan2]

@NewGiraffe

Thanks. Are we better off changing nappies in the back seat of the car rather than using motorway toilets? (Covid risk)

Yes, your baby is still very little so easy to do in the back of the car. You might feel you want to stretch your legs though, as will your husband so you can take it in turns to do that.

Three hours is manageable. Not any longer than that though.

I hope you enjoy yourselves.

[GoshHashana]

I honestly would not be even considering doing this. These early weeks are for you as a nuclear family. Schlepping for hours will be disruptive for the baby.

[PotteringAlong]

Definitely in the car! Even without Covid in the mix!

[NewGiraffe]

@GoshHashana otherwise the baby won't meet his grandparents. They have been isolating since March and they are unable to travel to us.

[EatsShootsAndRuns]

At 3 weeks old he won't know. Why can't the grandparents travel to you?

[NewGiraffe]

@EatsShootsAndRuns because they are in their mid 80's, only my father can drive but he would be unable to drive that distance, and my mum has early onset Alzheimer's and incontinence.

[Stompythedinosaur]

I think newborns aren't meant to be in a car seat for more than two hours so you'll need to arrange to stop somewhere.

[EatsShootsAndRuns]

Yes, I can understand why they can't travel. It must be difficult.

[ShoppingBasket]

Maybe stop halfway and let baby stretch out for 20/ 30 mins between lying on back seat and in arms. That's what I used to do on long journeys. The driver will need a break also 🙂

[fleamadonna]

I travelled by car from Gloucestershire to Orkney with a 4 week old to scatter my grandmother’s ashes.

We stopped pretty regularly to stretch, feed and change.

It was really fine. They still sleep a lot at that age.

Saw my son’s first smile during that journey. I just remembered that.

[ShoppingBasket]

And also I brought my 5 week old across the pond to meet grandparents and it didn't affect his sleeping or routine. It's important the grandparents get to meet your baby.

[WaxOnFeckOff]

We did a similar length journey at a similar age. Think DS was 5 or 6 weeks. We had a few planned stops and did feed and change if required. One stop he was sleeping but we still took him out the seat and let him stretch out and sleep on the backseat for a little while then strapped him back in. Obviously the car was stopped at the time.

Plan in proper stops, don't just sit on the hard shoulder obviously.

[INeedNewShoes]

To do that journey safely without stopping every half an hour you'll need a lie-flat car seat.

Newborns are at risk of suffocation in car seats as their airway is compromised by the position the standard seats put them in. A study showed that oxygen saturation levels start to drop after twenty minutes in a car seat.

I do a lot of long journeys so had to buy a lie flat seat for DD otherwise the trips would have been completely impractical.

[WaxOnFeckOff]

We also did a 1. 5 hour journey when he was 5 days old other wise his grandparent wouldn't get to see him either. This was before internet/smartphones etc were prevalent. You do what you need to do. He was an emergency c section and I'd only been out of hospital 2 days but it was important to us.

[WaterWishWash]

Plan a stop to stretch and get air but don’t worry too much. You’ll be sitting beside the baby and that makes a big difference as you can keep a closer eye in them that if they are alone in back with just a mirror being looked at. I always sat in back when mine were tiny if I was a passenger. They’ll mainly sleep hopefully.

If it was important to see my parents esp if ill health and I wanted them to meet my baby i’d go. If it was more to fulfil an obligation I’d be more inclined to say it wasn’t practical as yet. So depends on reasons for going really. Sounds like your in former category though.

[Notlostjustexploring]

I'm a veteran of many a long journey, and it can actually be okay. I have learned the following, the hard way.

It takes longer than you think to get out of the house.
Make sure they're well fed and hydrated.
Keep an eye on the traffic, and where the next services are Being stuck in a traffic jam with a hungry baby is Not Fun...

[dotdashdashdash]

• Schedule in lots of breaks (ideally every 30 minutes at that age but absolutely definitely not more than 2 hours)
• plan for the journey to take longer than it should. A lot longer
• you may have to make unscheduled stops
• changing and feeding in the car is totally fine but they should be out the carseat for at least 15 minutes every stop (the longer between stops the longer they need to be out of the seat).

Be aware that you being in the back may be more of an issue for baby - can see you but can't be cuddled by you. I had to sit in the front.

[raspberrydream]

I'd play it by ear to be honest. If you are in the back with bub and they are peacefully asleep then keep on going if they are getting restless then stop.
It's totally possible just be flexible