long car ride with 10-11 month olds?

monkski

We got invited this summer to a lake cabin, but the drive would be like 7 hours.  The babies will be 10 or 11 months old at the time and I'll hopefully still be nursing.  Do you think this is doable? how do you keep them entertained for so long. I know we'd have to make a few stops to feed them and get them out of the car for breaks, but it still seems like a long time confined to a car seat.

BeccaLandes

My guys are almost 11 months, and we are currently in Maine, 7 hours from our house!  I am also still nursing.

We leave in the morning around 9, which is when they take their first nap.  So they nap a couple of hours in the car, then when they wake up, I climb in back and play with them for a little.  I also nurse them in their car seats.  They are up for about an hour and a half and I sing to them, play with them, and talk with them, then I go back in the front seat and they nap again. 

We stop about 5 hours into the trip and get them out to play-- on our way to Maine we stop in Boston to see my grandparents.  We spend about 2 hours there, then get in the car and go the rest of the way to Maine.  The first night and day are a little stressful to get them on schedule and used to their new surroundings, but then we're usually in good shape.

Haven1

Do you have the option of driving at night?  I'd recommend breaking it up for the adults so you don't fall asleep, but it might be an option.

monkski

BeccaLandes:

My guys are almost 11 months, and we are currently in Maine, 7 hours from our house!  I am also still nursing.

We leave in the morning around 9, which is when they take their first nap.  So they nap a couple of hours in the car, then when they wake up, I climb in back and play with them for a little.  I also nurse them in their car seats.  They are up for about an hour and a half and I sing to them, play with them, and talk with them, then I go back in the front seat and they nap again. 

We stop about 5 hours into the trip and get them out to play-- on our way to Maine we stop in Boston to see my grandparents.  We spend about 2 hours there, then get in the car and go the rest of the way to Maine.  The first night and day are a little stressful to get them on schedule and used to their new surroundings, but then we're usually in good shape.

Oh my! You nurse them in their car seats!? I can't even imagine the logistics behind that.  I think I would be more likely to pump and do bottles, but that's just me :-)

 Driving a night is definitely a good idea too if DH and I can manage. I like my sleep ;-)

Glad to hear that it is possible though!