10 Responses to My brother is taking a car trip with his wife and new baby, 4 months old, does anyone have any travel tips on how to keep him entertained and happy?
I never traveled much when my kiddos were “babies”, so I’m clueless here…
It will only be about a 4 hour trip.
Anonymous
nothing. you cant keep 4 month old babies entertained becuz they cant be entertaned!!!! theyre minds are small and do not undestand yet. basically, they are just cute chubby blobs.
We have found the best thing to do is to travel the longest leg of the trip during the babies normal sleeping time.
We took a long trip when our daughter was 3 months old, we left at 8 pm and arrived at our destination at 5 am. She was only awake twice, once for a bottle and once for a diaper change. Of course she was sleeping through the night on a regular basis.
How long is the trip?? Usually on long trips my son would always just sleep. And if he was awake he would play with his toys, then sleep some more, lol.
i drove my two month old son from north carolina to michigan about 650 miles and a 11 hour drive
i think the key is try leaving around 4pm or so so that way the baby is only up 4 or 5 hours and sleeps the rest of the way
take plenty of breaks those 4-5 hours and give him or her attention if possible
my wife rode in the back with the baby and i drove so it was easier
i hope this helps
Anonymous
One helpful tip for feeding time if on formula is NOT to premake bottles. Bring bottles of water with and powder formula. That way the water is air temp to start and not cold out of the cooler because they won’t have a warming device in the car. They can make bottles as they need them.
As far as entertaining, someone might have to sit in the back seat with the baby and play with toys with him/her.
Keep close to their schedule as possible. If they eat, sleep, play at certain times at home, try to keep it to that. I had to take my 7 week old daughter for a 14 hour car ride when my mom passed away suddenly and she did great. Till this day we keep on your routines pretty close to normal and it has been easier to please not only her but us too.
they need to have everything in the car, and ready to go, the only things left to put in the car, should be themselves, and baby, then, time it around his mid morning, or afternoon feeding. feed him, and then immediately put him in the car and be on their way…most likely, the baby will sleep the entire time through the trip, and if he wakes up, it won’t be to hard to stop maybe once for a few minutes. for the rest of the trip, if he is awake, they have toys now that can hook to the back of the seat to keep baby occupied, rattles, a favorite teether, etc. when all else fails…mommy or daddy can always sit in the back to keep baby occupied while the other drives.
we do this all the time, when we go to my moms, or out shopping, or even to the movies.
Anonymous
I would have them feed the baby before they leave and put him/her to sleep. That way the baby will sleep most of the way. Car rides are normally really good for a baby. They like the motion so they sleep. My babies alway would sleep better in a car. I went from St.Louis to California when my baby was 3 months. And I really had no trouble with her.
Anonymous
I am glad you asked this because I am leaving next week on a 4hr trip with my 5mth old!!! Thanks!
nothing. you cant keep 4 month old babies entertained becuz they cant be entertaned!!!! theyre minds are small and do not undestand yet. basically, they are just cute chubby blobs.
We have found the best thing to do is to travel the longest leg of the trip during the babies normal sleeping time.
We took a long trip when our daughter was 3 months old, we left at 8 pm and arrived at our destination at 5 am. She was only awake twice, once for a bottle and once for a diaper change. Of course she was sleeping through the night on a regular basis.
Hope this helps!
How long is the trip?? Usually on long trips my son would always just sleep. And if he was awake he would play with his toys, then sleep some more, lol.
i drove my two month old son from north carolina to michigan about 650 miles and a 11 hour drive
i think the key is try leaving around 4pm or so so that way the baby is only up 4 or 5 hours and sleeps the rest of the way
take plenty of breaks those 4-5 hours and give him or her attention if possible
my wife rode in the back with the baby and i drove so it was easier
i hope this helps
One helpful tip for feeding time if on formula is NOT to premake bottles. Bring bottles of water with and powder formula. That way the water is air temp to start and not cold out of the cooler because they won’t have a warming device in the car. They can make bottles as they need them.
As far as entertaining, someone might have to sit in the back seat with the baby and play with toys with him/her.
You+can+try+going+at+night+or+during+a+nap+time+to+encourage+the+kid+to+sleep+most+of+the+time.++Also+have+one+of+you+in+the+back+seat+with+him.++How+well+does+the+child+sleep+in+the+car%3F++My+daughter+used+to+fall+asleep+the+instant+we+started+driving%2C+and+was+out+pretty+much+until+we+stopped.++then+as+she+got+older%2C+she+hates+sleeping+in+the+car+and+will+rarely+do+it.++So+try+to+judge+off+of+the+kids+personality+and+take+things+the+kid+likes+to+play+with+now%2C+as+well+as+a+few+new+toys.++Also%2Cif+they+like+certain+songs+or+music%2C+make+sure+you+bring+that.++They+might+have+to+stop+more+often+too+if+he+is+being+breastfed+or+needs+diaper+changes.++Plan+on+it+taking+more+time+than+usual+to+get+there.++It+might+not+take+longer%2C+but+it%27s+always+better+to+plan+for+a+little+extra+time.++Hope+this+helps%21%21
Keep close to their schedule as possible. If they eat, sleep, play at certain times at home, try to keep it to that. I had to take my 7 week old daughter for a 14 hour car ride when my mom passed away suddenly and she did great. Till this day we keep on your routines pretty close to normal and it has been easier to please not only her but us too.
they need to have everything in the car, and ready to go, the only things left to put in the car, should be themselves, and baby, then, time it around his mid morning, or afternoon feeding. feed him, and then immediately put him in the car and be on their way…most likely, the baby will sleep the entire time through the trip, and if he wakes up, it won’t be to hard to stop maybe once for a few minutes. for the rest of the trip, if he is awake, they have toys now that can hook to the back of the seat to keep baby occupied, rattles, a favorite teether, etc. when all else fails…mommy or daddy can always sit in the back to keep baby occupied while the other drives.
we do this all the time, when we go to my moms, or out shopping, or even to the movies.
I would have them feed the baby before they leave and put him/her to sleep. That way the baby will sleep most of the way. Car rides are normally really good for a baby. They like the motion so they sleep. My babies alway would sleep better in a car. I went from St.Louis to California when my baby was 3 months. And I really had no trouble with her.
I am glad you asked this because I am leaving next week on a 4hr trip with my 5mth old!!! Thanks!