Road trip with 15 mo old - tips needed

julieb00lie · November 2010

We took a 8 hour road trip with DD when she was 6 months. It was a breeze. She slept most of the time.

At Christmas, we are doing the same trip again, but by then she will be almost 15 mo. For some reason I imagine it being more difficult b/c she will want to not be sitting for so long. Plus, she doesn't nap as much anymore.

Looking to hear about other people's experiences. And as always, tips or suggestions are welcome!!

Soon2BMrsN · November 2010

We took a 6 hour trip when DS was about 13 months old. We took turns riding in the back with him to keep him entertained and to feed him snacks. (He's still RFing, so sometimes he gets irritated if he can't see us). He slept during his normal naptimes, too. I packed a couple of new books and he looked at them for quite awhile since he'd never seen them before.

Your DD may be old enough to enjoy watching a DVD if you have a portable DVD player. DS doesn't watch much TV but I'd probably let him if we were taking a road trip.

Dawn827 · November 2010

We just moved cross country, a 8 day trip with our 15 month old last month. A portable DVD player was a life saver. Also small new toys and snacks. We stopped every 3 hours or so and let him get out and walk around and play for 20 min or so. He napped more then he normal does in the car and it really wasn't that bad. We only drove about 6 hrs a day though. I also spent a majority of the day in the backseat with him.

ncbelle · November 2010

We've done several 12 hour hauls at various ages. Whoever wasn't driving sat in the back to entertain kiddo as needed. He was fine the whole time despite being a very active kid.

kaekee · November 2010

We'll be making a 10 hour drive for Christmas.... Target has a DVD player for the car on sale on Black Friday. I'm planning on (hopefully) getting my hands on one and using that. Other than that, I'm planning on one of us probably riding back there with his and bringing lots of toys!

rianals · November 2010

I have done a six day roadtrip with an 11 month old and a 10 hour roadtrip with a 16 month old. Both went just fine. We had an entertainer in the backseat each time and switched out toys and books. I also decided that Yogurt melts are the best thing ever!

Lesley0228 · November 2010

We did a 12 hr trip (split on the way there and straight thru on the way back) at 15 mo. Plan for lots of breaks with a little time to run at rest stops and actually eating meals in restuarants to get them out of the car for a bit. Pack plenty of snacks and tons of toys and books. We took turns entertaining DD, though alot of time she would sit and entertain herself. I thought DD would nap alot, but she barely slept at all. She wouldn't even sleep at night, which really surprised us, but I think with rear facing the headlights were bugging her. Anyways, just be prepared for the no sleep possibility.

kmkaull2 · November 2010

LOTS of snacks! No nutrition, but Pirates Bootey bought us at least an hour on our summer road trip. I also suggest kids' music--my son loves Raffi. Also, a Magna Doodle. :-)

luvdv8 · November 2010

A portable DVD player is a must- DH and I were so upset when our minivan went in the shop and we had a 6 hour trip ahead with DD that we just rented another van. She rarely watches TV at home so it is a special treat that keeps her mesmerized for a long time.

Magnadoodles are great, but any new toy is going to buy you some extra time. Snacks- I generally don't worry about nutrition but bring something that will keep her happy for a good length of time.

I also found that DD has a fascination with laces- so I made her a little cardboard card with different ribbons and strings that she can pull on or try to "tie". I put beads and bells on some of he ends and she LOVES it- it didn't even cost me anything, but she's definitely a fine motor girl and those kinds of things can buy me an hour. If your LO gets fascinated by something similar just try to find a way to make it compact and something they can't drop all over the car.

peachypear · November 2010

Our tricks for getting through the 12-hour drive to ILs:

- 3 hours in the car, 1 hour off. This is the magic ratio for DD. We've found that she much prefers being in the car before her nap and getting out when she wakes up. In advance, find potential stopping points on your path where LO can get out and run around.

- New toys. We bring little item and pull out a new one on each leg. Roll-a-rounds were a huge hit last trip. Books are great too.

- Snacks. Keep 'em coming.

- Songs, songs, and more songs.

- Turning the carseat around. DD is soooo much happier looking forward. We have to do a lot less entertaining.

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Road trip with 15 mo old - tips needed

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