Driving to France with 9mth old

[mummynumnum]

DH dad lives in the South of France and we would like to go and see him. Flights are bit pricey over Easter, so was thinking about driving down. It usually takes about 8 hours once in France and off the ferry. Does this sound like a good idea with 9mth old? If yes, any tips? Best times to go etc?

We did this to Avoriaz when DS1 was 9 months. We got the Channel Tunnel late afternoon and he crawled about and got totally filthy, and had his tea. Drove for about 45 mins the other side and stayed in a Formula 1 over night. The next day, we set off early. You could try and get an hour or so in before breakfast by getting up at 6 and chucking everyone in the car - hopefully LO would sleep a bit?

Take regular stops for food, try and get loads of ground covered when LO usually sleeps, and try to get there by about 4 pm so LO can have some activity crawling about before tea and bed time.

Also we bought some new toys and attached them to the car seat with string - probably there are safer ways to do this! And had a well stocked supply of rice cakes in the car...!!

It actually wasn't too bad at all. When you think about it, with travelling to the airport, checking in, waiting, getting delayed etc. etc. you might get there quicker by car!!

We did this every Summer for a number of years when the boys were small. We always set out thinking that if things got too bad we could always break the journey by stopping overnight but in the end we always did it in one. After a while you just think how much nicer it will be to wake up in the morning already at your destination rather than having to get in the car again, and keep going. You will hopefully be surprised at how much a 9 months old will sleep on the way. It's definitely worth paying the tolls on the motorways - you can really cover ground on those roads.

my advice is to take a few things with you to hand out as they get bored. my best ever thing was a little 'rucksack' which was filled with a plastic teaset and my dd played with this for hours and hours. i know yours is tiny but they love to play with things. attach a tray to the car seat? song tapes. rice cakes/snacks too.

we did a long flight at a similar age and it was fine.

We last did long french drive when DS was 11mo. He is usually pretty relaxed in the car, so didn't get bored, but he did get hot ( our camper van has no air conditioning) and also repeatedly projectile vomited into the CD player and glove box while we pottered down a motorway at 10pm (isn't normally car sick). So, have tissues/wipes/cloths and clothes easily available! Plenty of water from dd/ds to drink on journey. Oh, and if you think it is 8 hours drive...think closer to 12...to allow for nappy stops, vomit stops, grumpy stops etc.
Going again this June...ds will be 23 months...bet he gets bored this time!!!

Try to travel through the night. e.g get a 10pm eurotunnel crossing and cover as much ground as poss. Quiet roads and baby will sleep through pretty much most of the journey. Catch up on sleep at destination.

Thanks very much for all the tips! Think we will go through the night, like alot of you have suggested and just go for it. LO always sleeps well in the car. Next thing to sort-baby passport!!

we did it with DTs at 9 months, they were mostly fine, have done it again twice, a year on each time, it gets harder, especially with the numerous loo stops!