I was never a road trip person prior to parenthood. So, for me, road trips with baby were unthinkable. But when my father in law died suddenly a few weeks before Christmas and flights x4 were unthinkably expensive, we did the drive to Florida . Only then did I realize how much travel we were missing out on by ruling out driving instead of flying.
Same as with flying, the younger the baby the easier to travel with (as difficult as that may be to believe as a first-time parent). In a previous article I share some basic road trip tips . But road trips with baby do come with their own issues and considerations, even more so than toddlers and younger children.
And also as with all aspects of traveling with a baby, you need to consider eating, sleeping, playing, and getting around.
Tips & Advice for Road Trips with Baby:
Road Trips with Baby: Eating
Breastfeeding & Bottle Feeding
If baby is still on a solely liquid diet, you may be more on a schedule to plan your stops around. Certainly it’s possible to bottle feed while moving, but it’s not a great habit to get into. And never (please, never ) unbuckle yourself to attempt to nurse while the car is moving.
Who wants to eat while strapped in a car seat facing backwards anyway? Planning stops to get up, stretch your legs, and properly feed or nurse will make for a more pleasant journey for everyone anyway.
Purees & Finger Foods
The foil pouches are handy for baby to self-feed, but babies are not exactly known for their table manners. Never mind the kind of goo a baby can create with a cracker or dry cereal. Mess aside, feeding baby while strapped in a car seat is a real choking hazard, expecially if baby is still rear-facing. Same as with nursing or bottle feeding, you’ll all be much happier if you accept that stops to eat are a part of your journey.
If you can tolerate the mess, the puffs that basically dissolve in baby’s mouth are probably fine. But eating in the car is probably a habit that’s put off for as long as possible.
What to Avoid:
Obviously this is not possible for those still nursing or bottle feeding, but avoiding dairy is a good idea while en route, especially if your baby is prone to motion sickness. Sometimes the only way to know this is your first trip and your first time covered in dairy-based vomit. Save the yogurt and cheese as a treat upon arrival, if you’re able to do so.
Anything that’s a major choking hazard is also best avoided. Eating while in a moving car is risky enough, never mind adding hot dogs or unsliced grapes into the mix.
Road Trips with Baby: Sleeping
If your baby sleeps well and soundly in a moving car, that sounds ideal, right? But consider a drive for several hours during the day where baby is out like a light. What happens at bedtime? I’ve heard “horror” stories where baby slept in the car all day and stayed up in the hotel all night. Not exactly the best start to your trip
