It’s sometimes bad enough going down the road with a baby in the car, so how would you fancy a nice long car journey with one? We’re talking around 15+ hours here… no? Thought you might say that.
Let me tell you, it’s easier than you think. After recently getting back from the annual skiing holiday, I can honestly say I was relieved that the car journey was over, because I was the one who was most uncomfortable. With a sleepy eyed partner for a passenger, and a sleeping baby in the back, I think I was the only one bothered about getting home quickly; those two couldn’t have been more… asleep.
We didn’t really have a choice when it came to our mode of travel. It was either “pay £600+ per person for a 1 hour 10 minute flight” or ”get in the car and drive it” – bloody half term prices.
Stick With Your Baby’s Routine (As Much As Possible!)
We left quite late in the afternoon so that we’d only have to stop for one last bottle before his usual bed time; that way we hoped he might sleep for the biggest part of the journey, which he did after only waking up a couple of times. Luckily, with only an hour difference in France, it was easy to get him on French time, then back to English time.
Keep Stock!
We prepped all of our bottles in advance as we normally would and just dispensed the formula into the water as and when he was normally due a feed. Keep a handful of dummies in the front with you too; you don’t want to be unplugging your seatbelt for half of the journey to go on a hunt for a dummy in baby Narnia (aka – the carseat). I mean, how many places can one dummy go?
Make Sure Baby Is Comfortable
Don’t smother them with blankets, because your car will get warm quickly. We dressed Toby in a vest and baby grow for the journey, I certainly wouldn’t bother with cute chinos and a top as they’ll probably feel restricted. But if like us, you’re going somewhere cold, make sure you keep a coat (or something equally as warm) unpacked in the car with a hat so, when you eventually get out, they’re not freezing! We also put the wedge back in our car seat so that Toby was in a more horizontal position, rather than being crunched in two, which genuinely helped massively when it was time for sleeping!
Get A Rear Seat Mirror For Your Long Car Journey
Babies are fascinated with faces, and what better way to keep them entertained than looking at their own. Secondly, it offers you the chance to keep an eye on your baby while you’re driving. Just attach it to the headrest in the back where their car seat is and adjust your rear view.
Don’t Overpack Toys
You don’t need to take a million and one toys like other websites say you do. We attached some flexi rings to the car seat, a colourful crinkly book, Sophie the giraffe and his taggy blanket. We did however, pack some other toys for when we were in the apartment for him to play with, as well as his Jumperoo but that was about it! Getting him outside on the snow was much more fun!
A change of scenery does wonders for your baby as well as you. A long drive can be boring, and after looking at tarmac for 15 hours, you just need to look at something else. We made a few stops on the way there at some service stations and thankfully we had recently put the car through it’s MOT so knew it would be sound for the journey. A stretch of the legs and hot chocolate for you and a bum change, bottle and stretch for your baby.
I’m pretty sure if we do it again next year, it won’t be so easy with an almost 18 month old!
What are your best tips for a long car journey? Do you do them often, or have you done one and told yourself ‘never again’?
Haha, tell me about it. It was bad enough for us, let alone him, but he coped so well.
Thank you! Sometimes it is the little things, like the wedge, you wouldn’t think about it, but we discussed it for ages. I read somewhere that people put a rolled up blanket or towel under their legs, but that seemed a lot of faff, so we decided to find an alternative.
Wow, 9 hours on a flight. That must’ve been difficult, you can’t pull over, or change the scenery! I’m not sure he’ll be the same at 17 months old. Maybe we’ll pay the extortionate money and fly!
A 15hr car journey?!?! *faints*
WOW you are braver than me! I would struggle with that myself at 28 hahaha.
Your tips are amazing I wouldn’t have thought to put the wedge back in to the car seat, it seems so obvious now I think about it. Rocky wouldn’t sit for that long, we recently went on a 9hr flight in which he could move about and that was hard enough. Good Luck next year… if you keep this up maybe you’ll be going on your winning holiday!!!
I did a fair bit of driving with Potato when he was little, but nothing as long as that. You’re very brave to have attempted it! I’m glad it went smoothly. My biggest challenge is in 10 days time. I have a 12 hour flight with a energetic 22 month old toddler, on my own!!!
Ooh, well we did get asked whether we were brave or stupid to do it a few times! Oh my goodness, at least at 6 months old they’ll stay put for the most part, but I don’t envy you with your 22 month old! What sort of things are you taking for him to do? Is it a night flight?
We will have an 8 hour journey to do soon with a 2 and 3 year old. We have decided to be bad parents and put some if their favourite Disney episodes on their ipad x
There isn’t anything bad about that! Should keep them quiet for at least half of the journey at least, lol. Any chance of them dozing off for a bit? x
I’m hoping so. They don’t normally do well sleeping in a car, little monkeys will only sleep in their beds, but hopefully as it’s such a long journey they might. I suppose until then there is always sofia the first and jake and the never land pirates haha x