Would you drive across country with a 4-5 month old?

katie4253 · October 2011

We *may* be moving. If we did it would be a 1,400 mile drive. We'd do it in 4 days (could take longer if we HAD to). We'd have our baby and two dogs (in a minivan).

The other option is one of us flying out, leaving baby with ILs, flying back, and driving out with the dogs. This would require us to be away from LO for 3 days, plus he'd have to fly (we just flew with him, and it was okay- but there were two of us).

He's not a fan of his car seat. But when we were out traveling recently, he'd fuss then fall asleep after about 30mins.

Which option would you choose?

ETA: I should add, we wouldn't be opposed to driving at night (one of us sleeping during the day at a hotel while the other was on baby duty) so that LO would sleep. Not sure if he'd handle it okay, but he does sleep 8hrs at night in his crib.

virginiagirl11 · October 2011

Given your two choices, I guess I'd try to do the cross-country drive with LO and just build in a couple of extra days to take some of the pressure off all of you to put pedal to the metal.

adrielegorburu · October 2011

I would probably drive it - im sure there would be hard times in it for DH and I because DD isnt a huge fan of her carseat but I'd rather spend four days in the car with her then 3 days away from her! It would be an adventure thats for sure! who knows - he may learn to love the car after it

LnR70707 · October 2011

I wouldn't try driving at night.It will likely backfire and you'll have a super cranky baby. We drove 16 hrs (each way) twice this summer and discovered that DS did the best if we got into a hotel early enough to have a somewhat normal bedtime routine. The second trip I did have to sit next to him most of the because he'd get lonely/bored.

katie4253 · October 2011

L&R70707:
I wouldn't try driving at night.It will likely backfire and you'll have a super cranky baby. We drove 16 hrs (each way) twice this summer and discovered that DS did the best if we got into a hotel early enough to have a somewhat normal bedtime routine. The second trip I did have to sit next to him most of the because he'd get lonely/bored.

That is good to know. We would have a normal bedtime routine. I guess the plus side of him screaming all day would be that he would probably sleep at night. LOL! He sleeps very well in a pack-n-play. So, that wouldn't be an issue. We would have his bathtub with us too. So, that would help. He loves his nightly bath (read: is obsessed with it).

I'm also glad to see that people would rather not be away from their LOs. Being away from him for several days makes me nervous!

alliejoe · October 2011

I would maybe do it at night, but probably would opt the flying option. It would just be easier.

katie4253 · October 2011

hocus:
Why can't the dogs be flown? I'd have the moving truck tow your car and fly with everyone else.

They are large (70lbs each), old, and very nervous. They do great in cars, but flying them would really be too much for them. They are very sensitive gals.

ShannonMacHappy · October 2011

Like yours, my LO is not a fan of the car either. But, he'll fuss for 30-45 minutes max ... then pass out. Lately, he hasn't been fussing at all. If I were you, I would do the car. There is NO way I would feel comfortable being away from LO over night yet! Like a pp suggested, I would build in a couple of extra days just in case. Also, I imagine you'll be taking breaks every 2-3 hours for you guys to pee, the dogs to walk around a bit, feed LO -- that will give you all some nice breaks.

dairygirl19 · October 2011

I would fly. It just seems faster and easier all around. It sucks either way but seems like the lesser of two evils. And if you know LO is safe with the ILs use that time to recoup on the drive back, get your act together etc.

Then again I'm brave and leaving LO doesn't bother me as much as being trapped in a car with her for hours on end. Kind of like a rip the band-aid and get it over with situation.

sbmp10 · October 2011

hocus:
Why can't the dogs be flown? I'd have the moving truck tow your car and fly with everyone else.

This!!! Unless it is too much of an expense in which case I would fly DS to IL's and then make the drive. I just visited my father 3 hours away by car and it was too much for me!!

noodles922 · October 2011

My BIL and I just did a 1800 mile trip (one way) with LO to see DH, we stopped one night and drove straight through the next. She handled it pretty well but did start to get bored. On the way home we did the 28 hour trip straight through since DH was with us and I rode in the back, that made all the difference. It didn't really mess up her routine at all.

Snapdragon750 · October 2011

If it were me I'd try the drive, but if I were you I would fly. I haven't flown with my baby before, so that makes me apprehensive, and she also likes her car seat so I'd just make a lot of stops for her.

But you have experience flying with your baby, AND you said she hates her car seat. I did long drive with mine at 8 and 9 weeks (Indianapolis to Jersey Shore), and she likes her car seat, and that was an age at which she could sleep most of the way. And I would never do it again, because the times when she was crying and I couldn't pick her up or do anything about it were awful, and it was hard to time rest stops and bathroom breaks with her feeding.

Unless you're prepared for 4 days of crying, I would choose the flying option.

azzyberry · October 2011

I've done it and I'm doing it again at Xmas - 1200 miles in 3days. IMO driving with an infant is much easier than my 3 yo.

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