Traveling in Car with 5 Month Old

Hi JB,
The good news is that the 5 month old will most likely nap for at least half of that time (on and off). I agree to stop and "exercise" his/her legs and allow time for stretching out for the both of you. Have lots of little noise maker toys for your child to play with and throw around a little. Kid Music and book on tape for Mommy sounds like a good idea. Good luck!
D.

Expect the trip to take a little longer than you think. My 6 month old son is great for 3 hours, but longer than this and he needs time to play and stretch. I bought a podee online and it was an amazing help. You can put the nipple/pacifier in the babies mouth to feed the bottle hands free and get back on the road. It's been a great help on trips to grandma's house. Safe travels!

I would leave/plan your longest driving stretch during naptime and make stops to break up the trip. Expect the best but plan for the worst. The important part is getting there safely so keep your patience and sense of humor. Good luck and happy travels.

Having done a 17 hr journey from IL to FL with a 9 1/2 mo, I would highly recommend overnight driving. If you leave about 30 mins before your baby's bedtime, you could be at your destination in good time for you to get a decent night's sleep too. Best of luck, whichever way you choose to go!

We drove from Chicago to Florida with a 9 month old! I also suggest leaving around baby's nap time if you can. And feed him before you leave. Also dress the baby appropriately so he/she doesn't get too hot or cold. And something comfortable too! Try sweatshirt/sweatpants with no coat. Then he'll still be warm enough with your heat in the car but won't overheat and sweat. That makes a cranky baby! You can keep a blanket to put on him if you think he's getting chilly.
Also, put diaper rash cream and a clean diaper right before you leave. That will help prevent a rash if he has to sit in a wet/messy diaper until you can stop.
Lots of toys and soft books helps too. Give him something new he's never seen before. Play music he enjoys.
If he takes a paci, attach it to one of those clips so when it falls you won't have to search for it.
Above all be safe and take your time! Stop as often as you want in safe well populated areas.
And I would leave early Sat. morning, it would be safer in the daytime! Good luck!

J B
Don't forget to include breaks for the baby to eat and you too. Bring along a book on tape for and some fav toys for the baby and try do also do it over a nap time. I have traveled with a baby quite few times and would say you will need to about every 2-3 hours for about 20-30 minutes for a diaper change streach of the legs a snack and refuel of the car. It will be ok you two will be fine.

J.

JB-

I would pick Saturday morning to drive 5 hours. Hopefully you'll have gotten some sleep and will be more alert for driving, as oppossed to leaving at night. Also I feel it's much safer to pick Sat. morning over Fri. evening. #1 It's daylight and #2 I would guess there are less intoxicated people on the roads in the morning.

Take a break half way through. Stop at a restaurant where the two of you can get a break from the car.Take time to giggle and play and do a diaper change. Stop more often of course if necessary. Hopefully your baby will nap for the second part of the trip or rest peacefully. Maybe bring some of his/her familiar CDs to play while you are driving.

Good luck and have fun.

J.