travel at night with a baby - reassurance needed!

[rabster]

We have a holiday booked in the next couple of weeks, and it involves a ferry trip.

Well, we thought that if we caught a night ferry there is more chance that DS will sleep a) in the car journey and b) on the ferry. I am now having second thoughts - after all it is a 4 hour trip to the ferry terminal, and he could possibly cry the whole way meaning that not only did we get the screaming journey anyway, but we are also exhausted for the next day.

The plan is that DH will drive, I will doze in the car (after all that is all I get to do at night anyway..), he will catch up on sleep before and after the trip while I entertain DS.

Does anyone have experience of travelling at night? Did your baby sleep in the car, or did it cry the whole way? How was your next day?

If you had an awful time, please be honest, as it is not too late to change the time of the ferry.

How old is your DS Rabster? Does he normally sleep in the car?

We have travelled with our DS a few years ago where we left home at his bed time and he slept in the car until we arrived then we just transfered him to the travel cot and all was well.
We also travelled recently to Cornwall and left home at about 4.30am, lifting both chidlren from bed/cot and putting them in the car and they very soon drifted back off to sleep.

I think it is one of those situations where to be honest with you, it doesn't really matter what has happened to other people because your situation will be unique because your DS is unique.
Although i quite understnad your reason for posting as reassurance is always good.

Hope it goes well whatever you decide.

I've recently done the same as mckenzie - left my mums house at dd's bedtime after normal bath/feed routine and she slept for 4 hours home. Good Luck!

DS is 3 months old and bf.

He will sleep in the car unless he is hungry or VERY awake. Then he will cry persistently.

I was thinking of sitting in the back with him so I can calm him if necessary. We will travel for 2 hours, feed him (dream feed), travel for 2 hours, ferry (3 hours) and feed, travel for 1 hour the other side.

And another worry, what is the risk of SIDS in cart seats?

I agree with mckenzie, what is your ds like rabster. My ds sleeps anywhere anytime and travel has never been a problem. My close friend, her dd is a nightmare on any car trips or travel and she plans meticulously.

What does your ds normally do / sleep - does the ferry and travel tie in with this ?

Oblomov - the whole trip would take place when he would normally be asleep. He generally goes down 7pm - 7am (with feeds at 11, 3 and 5), and we would plan to leave at 9, ferry at 2, arrive at 5...

mine have all slept fine when travelling in the car setting off at their normal bedtime. Risk of sids is if they get too hot

I used to be terrified about travelling when my daughter was tiny. I found that usually when I was most worried (such as a 4 hour car journey) she would sleep the whole time and everything would be fine! In fact I can only think of one car journey aged 11 months when she started going mad after about 6 hours of travel.

He may well sleep in the car and then when you get on the ferry and have finished feeding at least you can move about with him so as to give him a distraction (and so that if he screams constantly you can more him away from groups of sleeping people). Chances are that he may well be fascinated by the change of scenery. A good distraction might be amusement aracdes as there are lots of bright flashing lights (although hopefully it wont be smoky).

I understand your anxiety completely but it will be fine - you will survive it and I am sure have a lovely holiday.

Hope you have a great time.