|
|
 |
|
WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S | Family Maternity Center | Pregnancy Resource Center | Pregnancy Library | Family Members | Hey, Dad: On the road again…with baby
Hey, Dad: On the road again…with baby
When it comes to long car rides with baby, we have a few simple words of advice: Be prepared, and stay flexible. Oh, and one more thing: Baby rules.
It's best to wait until your baby is at least a month old before attempting a long car ride. You'll find it's even easier after six months or so. Avoid traveling solo with baby if you can; carrying a baby, your own bag, and all her gear is challenging at best. Glance through these guidelines from other new parents as you begin preparations for that first road trip to visit the relatives or just get away for a vacation.
Timing is everything. Try to time your trip to leave right before naptime. Some parents on long trips actually head out in the evening and drive all night, trading drivers, to keep things simple for baby.
Home, Jeeves. As much as the driver might enjoy adult company up front, putting the spare parent in back next to baby is a comfort to baby and to parents, who can better distract and connect with a fussy baby strapped in a car seat. Trade off driving and baby-tending, for everyone's sanity.
Make frequent stops. You're big on through-driving and relish blowing past those rest stops? Get over it. You can't safely breastfeed in a moving car, for one thing, and even if you're bottle-feeding, babies get fussy after being strapped in their car seat too long. Figure on stopping for a break every hour or two, or more often if necessary.
Let me entertain you. You can buy baby activity centers that attach to the seat in front and purport to keep baby entertained. Some do, for a while. So do your spare keys, rattles, a fuzzy bear, and your own hands playing peek-a-boo. Bring books to read to baby. Cassette tapes with kids' music or stories are great for older children.
Learn to love Denny's. If once you loved driving around for an hour seeking out hole-in-the-wall cafés with regional flavor, you may be surprised at how appealing chain restaurants suddenly are, with their highchairs, changing tables, speedy service, easily cleaned floors, special kid menus, and proximity to the freeway. Budget for 20 percent tips for wait staff; they'll earn it.
Gear up. You really don't need anything special for a road drip. Your car seat, a well-stocked diaper bag, and a handful of simple toys will do it. But a few extras might make things easier on you and baby.- Portable Crib. Let baby sleep in it at home to get her used to it. Away from home, she may go down for a nap more easily in a familiar crib.
- Lots of bottles. If you're bottle-feeding, bring enough bottles and nipples to last until you get where you're going. A portable bottle-warmer that plugs into the car might be nice.
- A cooler with snacks and water. Keep the other travelers well fed and hydrated, especially if one is a breastfeeding mother.
- Window shades. You can buy special shades to keep sun off baby's face. Alternately, secure a clean diaper or other cloth at the top of the window for a homemade shade.
- Sling, front-pack, or backpack
- Fold-up stroller
- Lots of plastic bags
Date last reviewed: October 2002.
Back to top
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|