4 hour journey with 2 month old...alone!

[islingtongirl]

As the title says really. For various reasons it is looking like I need to take (just) 2 month old DD in the car for a 4 hr + journey this afternoon by myself. Car sear in back with mirror so I can see her - but am nervous haven't travelled alone with her without DH yet. Will feed/change her before I set off of course but any tips from anyone? What if she screams the whole way?! (She has a tendency to start all car journeys with a good old scream). How often should I stop? What if she is crying and I cant stop anywhere? Going on motorway...aargh. All reassurance and tips welcome!

4 hours isn't a huge journey. take drinks and snacks for you and fill up on fuel before you leave. plan some stops. if baby is asleep, then push on and keep going. if baby is crying then have some stops for a change and feed.
singing, chatting to baby and music might help too.

but really, it's nothing to worry about.

Thanks never - I guess 4 hours may be more like 6 in the end! I know I shouldn't be worrying, will be fine, but keep overthinking things like what if I need to stop for bathroom, do I carry DD in or carry her in car seat? I mean it's ridiculous...!

I would carry her in her car seat the baby change in services usually have a loo in that you can use or use a disabled toilet and pop her on the floor in her car seat. She will be fine just bear in mind service stops can end up taking an hour by the time you feed change etc x

I think you'll be absolutely fine but of course, until you've done it, it's a massive worry! I would plan in to the journey lots of pit stops. I'm pretty sure I've read it's best to take them out of the car seat every 90 minutes anyway?

Hopefully she'll sleep through a lot of it. Can you time the start of the journey with a rough nap time? Feed her up before you start, make sure you have some soothing sounds - my DS appeared to like whale music, which always made me think of Finding Nemo...

If she does cry a lot and to the point that you have to push on, try not to stress. Does she take a dummy? Regardless, if she cries endlessly, it's a one off, just try to remain calm and keep talking/soothing her from the drivers seat. The most important thing is you remaining calm and accepting she might cry for a while.

I drive alone from Wales to Scotland regularly and have done since DS was 6 weeks old its 300 miles it takes 6 hrs .
i have a Jane lie flat transporter ideal for long journeys

feed etc before leaving , don't stop till baby wakens then feed nappie etc and get back on the road .
iam infact on the way to Scotland just now with my DS .
you will be fine don't worry :-)

Ahh thank you all! Feel a bit more confident now - was going to have to do it sometime as my parents live a fair few hours from us, just wasn't prepared for it being today! 2 hours until I set off!