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Original poster

Very long car journey with newborn

20 replies

Fishpond · 29/02/2012 19:22

Going to see some family about 14 hrs drive away - approx when DS will be 8-12 weeks old, possibly bit more depending on situation.

Any tips for very long car journeys with littlies? It will most likely be just myself and him in the car, although poss. bringing my 16-yr-old sister who would be a big help!

OP posts:
Original poster
Fishpond · 29/02/2012 19:23

Will be most likely mixed feeding at this time.

OP posts:
Gapants · 29/02/2012 19:24

Blimey, lands end to john o groats!

night drive then sort out some serious help for the next day as you will be in bed, with baby being brought to you for feeding.

Might it be better to fly?

StetsonsAreCool · 29/02/2012 19:25

We did a 12 hour drive to France when DD was 8 or 9 weeks old.

We got a lie flat car seat, so that we wouldn't have to stop every couple of hours to let her out of a bucket seat for air.

We also left home at 11pm and drove most of the way overnight when she would be sleeping for longer anyway. As it happened, she was sleeping through at that age (for a few weeks, anyway).

We arrived at lunchtime, having done two or three pit stops for petrol/food/toilet for us, and nappy changs and feeds for DD.

StetsonsAreCool · 29/02/2012 19:26

DH drove and I slept as much as I could, so that he could sleep when we got there. Forgot to say that Smile

cerys74 · 29/02/2012 19:27

If your sister is coming, ask her to sit in the back seat so that if DS starts crying she can give him a bottle without needing to wait 'til you can get off the motorway. Obv this is less of a problem on B-roads!

Gumby · 29/02/2012 19:27

It's a long way to drive when you're exhausted and have no one to share the driving with
Could you stop en route over night?
Or meet whoever you're visiting in the middle? Not going to work if it's for a wedding Wink

BackforGood · 29/02/2012 19:28

Seriously, at that age, I'd be asking anyone who wants to see baby in the flesh, to come to me. That is a MASSIVE amount of time to be driving, when you are post natal, and shattered from sleep deprivation.

Original poster
Fishpond · 29/02/2012 19:29

Will cost the same to fly, with added expense of a rental car at the destination - I live in the US where distances are enormous!!

Sounds as if another person will be invaluable, shall try and wrangle teenager (who won't be able to drive at that point) to help with baby en route and then allow me to sleep at destination!

OP posts:
Original poster
Fishpond · 29/02/2012 19:30

The person we are meeting has a terminal illness, hence the drive down to them rather than them coming up to see us.

OP posts:
StetsonsAreCool · 29/02/2012 19:37

Sorry, just reread your OP.

Yes, definitely try and get an extra pair of hands in the car.

On our home journey, DD just got fed up of being in the car. We didn't drive overnight on the way back, and it showed. About 3/4 of the way home, she just cried and cried, was fine when we got her out of the car, but started screaming again as soon as we got her back in. In the end, I sat in the back and rubbed her tummy and made soothing noises while she screamed DH drove.

And it will give you someone to talk to. It's a long way to go with no conversation.

sunshineoutdoors · 29/02/2012 19:44

I know it's not what you're asking, but I would consider flying if you can afford the extra. Dc can be on your lap and you can feed, entertain and reassure. If you have company they can look after dc while you sleep. I found travelling by train and ferry a lot easier than cars with a baby because you can hold them and feed them whereas in a car you have no contact. Sometimes it can be fine and they sleep all journey, other times they cry and won't stop. It's horrible if you're not in a position to stop the car.

Do find out how long they should be in car seat for and what breaks you need to take and for how long before you put them back in. If you are driving can you do it over two or three days and stop at motels?

BackforGood · 29/02/2012 19:57

Or is there not someone who would consider coming with you and sharing the driving ?
Or
You say you will be going, and you will be mixed feeding. I'm not clear if the little one is born yet ? Is going now a possibility instead ?

Or the train ?
Or plane ?

I worry about your safety driving that far on your own when you've been adjusting to life without sleep with a newborn.

Original poster
Fishpond · 29/02/2012 20:01

Baby isn't here yet, hence all the future tense talk! The trip is definitely happening, time frame is what's slightly flexible. Definitely between 8-16 weeks. Will depend upon the person's health how quickly we go.

No trains. Plane as I've said is just as expensive, but I will need a car to get from the airport to the person's town, which is about a 30-min drive, plus petrol, plus driving around for the week or so we'll be there (I plan on going to the beach at least 1-2 days, another 30 minute drive). So cost-wise it's much more effective for me to take my own vehicle.

Thanks for all the tips, I will definitely grab my sister to go along with me.

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MrTumblesCrackWhore · 29/02/2012 20:10

I have been in a similar position to you, although now I have two, there's no way i would do that on my own anymore.

I used to split the journey into two trips and find a place to stay in between. Even for a small baby that's a big old journey to lie flat in the back for. I was lucky that ds1 was a regular feeder and I could time my stops to coincide with his hunger but dd2 is a proper little snacker and we would be stopping all the bloody time if I had had her first.

If you have to do it in one stretch, then nights are the way to go, just make sure you have somewhere safe to stop if you're on your own.

Lizcat · 01/03/2012 10:02

We did very south England to Shetland when DD was 10 weeks old. We broke the drive in to 2 days so around 8 hours each day stopping every 2 hours for half an hour to get her out and feed her (very poor growth so feeding every 2 hours). We did then have the overnight ferry. In the end it was not that big a deal for us and for the family member we visited who is unable to fly it was very special and 8 years later they are still grateful. It was much much easier when she was 10 weeks than we did it when she was 2.5years and 4 years.

HappyCamel · 01/03/2012 10:25

You're crazy, sod the cost, take the plane. That long a drive, with the little sleep you get with a newborn is risky. Add to that your baby will be strapped up in a car seat all that time when they shouldn't spend more than 2 hours at a time in a car seat at that age. That's because having a bent spine and being in a sitting position squashes their lungs, which is uncomfortable and labours their breathing. Does a family member have a car you can borrow after your flight?

BikeRunSki · 01/03/2012 10:32

Is your sister old enough to drive in any of the states you'll be passing through? I'd also fly and worry about the cost of the hire car later.

14 hr drive may well become 20 hrs with stops for feeding, car seat breaks, nappy changes etc,

Original poster
Fishpond · 01/03/2012 17:35

Thanks again for flight recommendations, will try to see if I can afford it but as a single parent the cost is really going to be difficult, ESP as we don't have paid maternity leave here so I only have another few months to save up.

My sister will technically be able to drive with me in passenger seat, but she will have only just gotten her learner's permit a few months prior, so I don't think I'm going to be comfortable allowing her on crazy interstates with my newborn in the backseat.

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Bartiimaeus · 01/03/2012 17:44

Test driving with the baby first as well. DS is 5 months and we have never driven without him crying and vomiting the whole journey Sad The longest we've done is 2hours and it was hell.

I hope your baby is easier in the car!

I'd second flying or at least spilt your journey over 2 days. You will be tired just looking after your baby let alone drving for miles.

LunarRose · 01/03/2012 17:56

I too would be really worried about you getting tired on the road..... Particularly if your DC ends up as bad sleeping and eating as my DS!

Think about the number of nappies, you think you'll need and double it. Kids always seem to go though a stack travelling!

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