To think that a 6hr drive is too long for a baby?

[Hard2Find09]

We are planning a road trip to see family. The drive will take 6hrs without any stops. This is our first long drive and I don't think our 8 month old will be able to comfortably do this in one hit and have suggested that we stay the night halfway. So drive 3hrs after work the first day and then 3hrs the next morning.

Some family feels that this is unreasonable and we should just do the 6hrs in one go. I feel that after factoring in stops for our baby to eat and do nappy changes we will be looking at way more than 6hrs and it will just be too much. AIBU?

I drive from Central Europe back to Scotland when my eldest was only 3 months. Stopped as needed to feed, change and give him a rest from the car seat. We had an overnight ferry and a 12 hour drive from England up. 6 hours isn't that long and you should be planning on stopping for toilet breaks/refuelling so just tie them in with when the little one needs.

YANBU.
6 hours is way too long. Not only will you need to stop for feeds and nappy changes, but the baby also should have time to stretch and lay flat/have tummy time. Long periods of time in car seats is not good for their spine. If the baby doesn't sleep and cries a lot or starts screaming, it will be a hell of a trip for you all. Make it easier on yourselves and break it up like you've suggested with an overnight stay in the middle.

Just re-read and realised you're in Australia. Even more reason not to do it in one go. As I'm sure you know, our country roads, especially the gravel ones aren't always in the best of condition, then you have the added danger of kangaroos etc. you need to have your wits about you and a crying baby won't help. I would definitely break the trip into two.

Personally it wouldn't phase me, we regularly do long trips (8-10hrs driving a day) with young children and have done since they were very small (3hrs+ at a few weeks old)

I wouldn't consider 8m old to be particularly young for this kind of trip. We would typically stop twice for 20-30mins each in a 6hr journey.

But, if it doesn't work for you don't do it. Don't be pressured.

Perhaps book a refundable hotel half way, if it's doing well keep driving, if it's awful you can stop.

First massive solo drive I did this, had a travel lodge booked, but I was in the flow and kids were happy so we ploughed on in one day.