Pls advise: 1st road trip with DD

MrsRoehl_2008

We are driving 5 hours tomorrow evening to Long Island to visit my DH's grandparents.

Anything we should definitely take for DD?  Anything that we really don't need?

Also, she hates her carseat.  Her usual bedtime will fall about halfway into the trip.  Any advice on keeping her happy for the first 2.5 hours?

AngelLuver_02

try and feed her right before you leave is my only advice. GL and enjoy your visit.

bear2115

Is there anything that has helped her in the car before? Maybe something new to give to her when you get in the car to distract her for awhile.  A pacifier, and lots of time for breaks.  Good luck!

bear2115

Is there any way you could leave a little later so that she might go to bed right after or right before you leave.  I would be worried that if she hates the carseat that she will get herself all worked up and upset and then not be able to go to sleep.

NoVaIrish

Definitely take extra bottles (if you ff), diapers, and clothes.  DH and I have made the trip from NoVa to North Jersey and always plan on there being an accident or delay somewhere on 95 and/or the NJ Turnpike.  If your LO is picky about bottle temp, a bottle warmer for the car is a great investment.

We keep certain toys only for the car and swap them out regularly to keep M from getting bored.  If he's really fussy one of us will ride with him in the back. 

We usually stop at one of the big rest stops in MD and then at the first rest stop in NJ to give ourselves and him a break.  We give him a bottle and do a quick diaper change while taking turns running in to use the bathroom and get a drink. 

kelly&marty

At that age, DS slept when we went on car trips. We did try to time leaving when he had just eaten, and so that he'd ride for a little bit and then take a fall asleep before he got bored. Just be prepared to stop for a meal or something if she gets real fussy, and bring a new toy or something to distract her.

lata82

we had our first 6 hour car ride 2 weeks ago and we left an hour before bedtime and she slept almost the whole way, we stopped 2 hours in so we could feed her and change her and then she went right back to sleep.

 

SpartanGirl

My DD would sleep in the car at that age (DS is just a car screamer no matter what).  Definitely bring extras - bottles, diapers, etc.

I read a cool idea on family fun about making a toy bib (attaching toys to a bib with clips) for long car rides.  She may be too young yet, but here's the info if you're interested (I can't find the link right now):

 "If you often find yourself searching for far-flung objects, try making your baby a toy bib. To create one, snap 2 or 3 pacifier or mitten clips (available at suspenderstore.com) to the bottom of a bib, then attach a couple of small diversions to them. The toys won't stray from a little arm's reach -- and you can leave the bib on for snacktime. "

Hope you have a great trip!

Gregsbride22

Good luck and hope you all have fun!

Stellar1

We have taken Taylor on a bunch of road trips since she has been born. Try to feed her before you leave. Bring stuff to keep her occupied. If there are two of us plus her and she gets fussy the person not driving will go sit in the back with her to try to keep her busy. She is really good in the car but gets fussy if she gets hungry. Are you nursing, bottle feeding, formula feeding? I am nursing but if we have awhile before we can get off highway I always have a bottle of pumped milk so she can eat at least something before we can stop. We have one of those car mirrors you can place in the back seat which she really likes. Try bringing toys and a paci if she will take that. Taylor doesn't like pacis so that doesn't really work with us. GL!!

We are heading down to Key West this weekend and we are driving also!!!

ValerianOddity

I am taking notes, because we'll be making the drive from Philly to Columbus, OH the second week of August, to visit friends and fam (mine) for a few days, and to retrieve my older son from my mom's (he spends a month with her every summer).  I'm kinda nervous about it, but it's way cheaper than flying, and we'll have so much baggage, I think it'll be more convenient.

LindseyS0504

Trista! Can we please see pics of little Fiona??

I've taken Reid on a couple of road trips - 3 hours to Austin. I make sure to feed him right before we jump in the car. Reid doesn't mind his car seat and usually just falls asleep in the car. But, do you have one of those mirrors that allows you to see her while you're driving? I know you're technically not supposed to have them - but it's so nice for me to be able to glance in my rearview and check on him. Also, mine plays songs, which Reid LOVES. So, that could help to keep her happy for a bit.

As far as stuff to bring - I always bring tons of extra clothes, diapers and wipes, his pack 'n play for sleeping, his bouncy chair, pacifiers, my pump, boppy, extra burp clothes, a couple of blankets in case where you go is colder than your home, gripe water, mylicon drops, tylenol (just in case) and a few books.

HTH!

ava_belle

Have fun! When we took Ethan on his first trip, we fed and changed his diaper before we left.  He usually sleeps when he is in the car so I don't have any other advice! Sorry!