STM+ - Traveling w/ a 2 wk old baby??

anners86 · June 2012

So LO is due today, but dr. will induce if he isn't out by next friday. Depending on when he's born, he will be 2 or 3 weeks old when we plan to travel 16 hours away to see family. DH's grandfather (baby's namesake) is very frail and has had 6 strokes so far this year. We really want him to hold his greatgrandson before he passes.. But, do you think we're pushing it? Trying to travel in a car for that long/ that far with a brandnew baby?

kincaid44 · June 2012

I won't be taking my baby out of the house at that age unless it's for doctor's appointments, so I can't imagine taking him that far, but that is just me. Our childbirth class instructor recommends not taking them out until after at least 4 weeks. There is so much sickness out there, and you never know what your baby may pick up. And with a baby that young, I feel like you would be stopping a ton for feedings, diaper changes, etc.

xtina05 · June 2012

I flew with my DS at 3 weeks. 3 hours was enough for me to handle... I dont know about 16 hours in the car with a 3 week old. That might be a little much. Are you planning on BF?

Formerly Mrs D S · June 2012

We did something similar with DD when she was about 4 weeks old. We drove from NJ to north Florida to see my grandmother who was very sick with COPD and I was scared would pass away before meeting my LO. It's tough, but not impossible. In regards to germs etc.. I thought I would be uptight, I made people that came around us purrell - DH and I washed our hands a lot when we stopped. We steared clear of crowds etc. TOTALLY doable.. this time I will be taking LO out the first week as I have a DD to take care of.

As far as the drive... it was fine. The baby sleeps so often, that it was actually helpful. I was EBFing so that was the tough part. We would stop every 2-3 hours to feed so the 12 1/2 hr trip took MUCH longer than expected. Sometimes I would pump while driving and give her a bottle so we could keep going. I had brought a BF cover so that trucks etc couldnt see me.

Overall, I am SO HAPPY with my decision to visit my grandmother. She ended up passing a few months later, and I will never forget that she was able to see and hold my LO. I was actually just looking at pictures from our visit today, and it makes me miss her so badly.

Go for it.. enjoy yourself and dont worry about what other people think of you (because there will be a lot of people telling you you're nuts). Best of luck. If you have any questions just page me on the board.

Oh yeah you're car will be packed full of baby necessities - diapers.. wipes... bottles. ETC.

anners86 · June 2012

Formerly Mrs D S:

We did something similar with DD when she was about 4 weeks old. We drove from NJ to north Florida to see my grandmother who was very sick with COPD and I was scared would pass away before meeting my LO. It's tough, but not impossible. In regards to germs etc.. I thought I would be uptight, I made people that came around us purrell - DH and I washed our hands a lot when we stopped. We steared clear of crowds etc. TOTALLY doable.. this time I will be taking LO out the first week as I have a DD to take care of.

As far as the drive... it was fine. The baby sleeps so often, that it was actually helpful. I was EBFing so that was the tough part. We would stop every 2-3 hours to feed so the 12 1/2 hr trip took MUCH longer than expected. Sometimes I would pump while driving and give her a bottle so we could keep going. I had brought a BF cover so that trucks etc couldnt see me.

Overall, I am SO HAPPY with my decision to visit my grandmother. She ended up passing a few months later, and I will never forget that she was able to see and hold my LO. I was actually just looking at pictures from our visit today, and it makes me miss her so badly.

Go for it.. enjoy yourself and dont worry about what other people think of you (because there will be a lot of people telling you you're nuts). Best of luck. If you have any questions just page me on the board.

Oh yeah you're car will be packed full of baby necessities - diapers.. wipes... bottles. ETC.

Thank you for this!! I would feel terrible if he passed away and DH didn't get to say good bye or show him his baby. He has always wanted to name an LO after his grandfather and since we moved away we very rarely see him.

I will be EBF and I didnt even think about pumping in the car! Great tip.

In terms of germs, I dont plan on taking him out at any rest stops and we will be statying at my parents house. While we're there we will only be going to family's houses - my parents, DH's parents or his grandparents. DH's grandfather is still at home with hospice nurse, no hospitals or anything.

Formerly Mrs D S · June 2012

No problem... I stayed with my parents too when we drove. Another tiny piece of advice, that you have probably already thought of. We packed "enough" diapers for the drive, but had my mom run out before we got there to get necessities. A couple of bottles, some wash clothes, daipers and wipes. That way we didnt need to pack too too much... and now my mom had some baby stuff for when we visited again, or when we visit with the new LO this time.

Mamaofthesea · June 2012

I'm a lurker on this board, but just thought I'd chime in. We drove from WI to MD with my DD when she was something like 6 weeks old to visit my family. It was roughly 16+ hours, and we had to break the drive into two days because of all the stopping we had to do (plus, DD had totally had it with the carseat after one full day of being in it). But it was totally doable! I'd say it's much better to do it when they're really little than when they get older because they sleep soooo much when they're brand new. My DD mostly slept through the whole trip. We kept her out of rest stops and changed and nursed in the car, so germs weren't really an issue (and I am a freak about this kind of stuff). I guess the only potential issue with leaving when LO is only 2-3 weeks old is timing the trip so it doesn't interfere with visits to pediatrician. But you can talk to your pedi about this and work it out.

Don't know if your LO will like being swaddled, but if so look for a brand of swaddling blanket (kiddopotomus is one) that has a little slit in the bottom that allows you to put the swaddle on while they're buckled into a carseat. Basically they're buckled in underneath the blanket, so it doesn't interfere with safety. My DD couldn't sleep without being swaddled, so we did this to be sure she was nice and comfy the whole trip.

Good luck!

rissa_n · June 2012

There is absolutely no way I would take a 16 hour car ride w/ a 2 week old. But then I hate traveling by car with or without a baby, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

babyruth88 · June 2012

I would go for it. If not i know i would look back and regret it

Sawyerplus1 · June 2012

I don't think it's an outrageous idea, and I certainly think the reason for the trip is worthwhile! But it would likely be a long trip. I was just talking to someone who had done a 10 hour trip (I think) with a fairly new baby and they said the longest part was feeding LO, for sure. Stopping every 2 hours for 30-60 minutes (nursing, cuddling, changing diapers, etc) added a LOT of time to their drive. She did pump while they drove and I think she said she alternated feedings between nursing and bottles. For that reason I would likely consider flying sooner than I'd consider doing the drive; a flight seems like much less stress and work to me (and time, as we'd likely take 2 days and a hotel stay to drive what is normally 16 hours, with a newborn). Whatever you do though, I'm sure you and LO will be fine, and you'll be glad you went. Oh, and call me 'old fashioned' but I wouldn't even worry about germs either. Babies need to develop their immunities and you're not likely to come across anything on a car trip or even a rest stop that'll hurt your LO. Use common sense about hand washing and you'll be fine!

Daisy22 · June 2012

For the reasons you are going yes I would do it. I think it would be good for your dh and the whole family. Just be prepared for it to take longer then expected with feedings and diaper changes. I wouldn't worry about germs either. I had both my boys out and about within a week and they are fine.

crlacey · June 2012

We drove 10 hours each way when my DS was 6 weeks old. If you have to travel long distances, those first few weeks are good if you are up to it because my DS slept through most of the trip.

SummerMama12 · June 2012

I think it's doable, but I would break the trip into 2 days. And, if you end up needing a c-section, that lengthy car ride may not be advisable that soon. Even if you have a vaginal birth, your bleeding at 2 weeks might also still be a tad heavy, just something to think about in terms of the number of stops you'll need to make.

laoch101 · June 2012

Were are going to be doing this too. Well be driving to PA, it's a normal 8-10 hr trip so well adjust accordingly. If baby comes in June it'll be at least 6wks if later than smaller. I am not worried. I plan on sling carrying the baby a lot anyway do people can't touch. Also I'm not afraid to tell strangers to back off. Plus with BF your baby will be getting all your immunities right away and that will help protect em. Just let your pediatrician know.

My Great Grandma is 100 and I want her to be able to meet our baby. So, I totally understand.

jyoung01 · June 2012

What will you be feeling like 2 weeks after the baby comes? Some STMs may have advice on that, too. I think we'll be mostly healed at that point, but it's something to think about.

MegDC · June 2012

I would be flexible and not make a decision until after LO arrives. I had a pretty bad tear and there is no way I could sit for 16 hours. I could have probably flown for a shorter amount of time.

You shouldn't try to push yourself or LO-- see how you both are doing after the birth, how the baby is eating, how you are feeling, etc. Its just impossible to tell what you will feel like before you actually have the baby.

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