Tips for road-trippin with a baby

Planning a road-tripping or taking longer drives with a baby can be stressful. But it doesn't need to be! We have family in Ottawa and a cottage up north so we've taken many (shorter) road trips with Draper over the last 7 months. And quite honestly, some have been better than others but we've learned a lot on the way.

Whether you are on the road for five days or just a couple of hours, here are a couple of helpful tips for a road trip with a baby that will ensure a smooth ride for the whole family.

1. Plan ahead

Sorry to disappoint you but it's no longer as simple as jumping in the car and hitting the dirt road. You have a baby now and that means you need to plan ahead and decide when it's the best time to drive. For us, we planned the drive around her nap schedule/bedtime so that she would sleep most of the car ride. This meant driving at night after bedtime routine but it was so worth it. I suggest you go through your baby's whole nighttime routine (bath, pajamas, bedtime song—whatever your nightly ritual entails), but put the baby down to sleep in the car seat instead of the crib.

Also, stop for gas when the baby is awake! Nothing is worse than having to pull over, stop the vehicle and get gas when your baby is finally sleeping! Because everyone knows once you stop your car, your baby is bound to wake up. It happened to us and it was tough to get her to fall back asleep.

2. Pack some patience

Patience, patience, patience. If Google Map tells you it's going to take 3 hrs, plan for 4 hours and not because you want to drive slow to see the scenery. A baby will only sleep or remain calm in a carseat for so long so you need to be prepared to stop, take a break, grab a bite and stretch those legs. Plan out your route and choose a kid friendly place to stop. Take a deep breath and relax. There's no need to stress. And if you need to stop (yet again) do it! You're going to be there when you get there.

3. Pack well & keep supplies near by

The last thing you want to do is have to dig around a giant suitcase while driving 120km/hr on the highway with a screaming baby. I've done it before and it's not fun. Somehow the thing you are looking for is always at the very bottom of the bag. Ugh. Avoid this situation all together and Keep a car bag near by with everything you think you may need while on the road. That way you don't have to unbuckle your seat belt!

Things to keep close by:

1. Diapers and wipes

2. Pre portioned bottles of formula or breast milk in a small cooler bag

3. Quick snacks

4. Sound machine,

5. Change of clothes

6. A few small versatile toys

7. Extra soother

8. Extra blanket

9. Baby Tylenol

4. Singing - it's a powerful tool 

When it comes to a fussy baby stuck in a car seat, I've found singing children songs can be super effective (more so than the radio) at helping to calm or entertain them. Don't be afraid to pull out the old camp songbook and brush up on some lyrics. Better yet, hop into the back seat and sit beside your little one so they can see you singing. The sound of your voice and funny facial expressions are sure to keep them happy for at least a little while. If your not much of a singer, queue some good children's playlist on Apple Music of Spotify. Our favourite is "Baby Shark & More Kids Songs' by Super Simple Songs.

5. Tag Team 

When your baby is awake, you and your partner take turns sitting in the back with the baby while the other one drives. It's extremely helpful having a 'caretaker' in the backseat to help with issues as they arise—preparing bottles, wiping snot or spit up and curing boredom with some old-fashioned “peek-a-boo”—which can help minimize stops and/or avoid total meltdowns.

6. Comfy clothes for the win

Nothing is worse than sitting in the car in tight uncomfortable jeans. I know we all have our 'car clothes' so do the same for baby. Put them in something comfy. You want to avoid anything that will make them overheat such as a jacket or anything too tight or itchy. A comfy baby = happy baby!

Just this past weekend we drove to and from Ottawa to spend the weekend with our niece for her birthday. With almost 10 hours of driving in one weekend I was nervous how Draper would handle it. But like most things she pleasantly surprised me. Here is a pic of us playing in the snow. :)

Me, Draper and my niece, Mia playing in the snow.

xo

LDT