Long car journey

[1NuDad]

Hi there,
This evening we’re doing a four-hour car journey with a five-month-old. Last time we did it we did his usual bedtime routine but put him down in the car seat instead of the cot. He cried for two hours until it got dark and he could sleep. Based on your experience should we:
a) Do his usual bedtime routine putting him to bed in his cot, waiting until sunset and then transferring him to the car seat
b) Do his usual bedtime routine but later and put him straight in the car seat to sleep at dusk
c) Let him sleep in his mum’s arms after he’s fed to sleep until we leave
d) Skip a bath etc so he doesn’t think it’s a usual night and just go as soon as we’re ready when it’s still light.

I would prob just do whatever suits you best, like leave at most convenient time etc, I always used to try and change routine etc and work these things out but found my lo never played ball, I guess they don’t get to read the plans lol just makes sure he’s well fed and comfy before you set off and and have a few breaks so he can have a break from car seat

I’ve done B successfully with a baby that age.

A wouldn’t have worked as the transfer would have been to risky and she’d probably wake up. C would have meant fussing as she didn’t really like sleeping in our arms. D she probably would have wanted a feed mid journey if she hadn’t had her bedtime bottle.

But you know your baby and do whatever suits you best!

It’s not a good idea for them to be in a car seat more than an absolute max of two hours before a break. So I’d leave in the light, expect them to stay awake, some soft toys (nothing that would hurt them in a crash) singalong songs, general trying to keep them awake and happy. Then after 2 hours stop, get them out, change into sleepsuit and any other bits of bedtime routine you can accomplish in a service station, feed, put down to sleep in the car seat.

Another vote for B!

Thank you everyone! Very helpful. Wish us luck. May well go for B..