Long car trip with baby who HATES the car

[Lilyloo]

We're going to visit my parents on the Easter long weekend, they live about 2.5 hours away...

I'm already beginning to stress out about how DD is going to cope in the car for that long. She absolutely hates the car seat, and the thought of hearing her scream for 2.5 hours without being able to do anything about it, is enough to make me want to cancel the whole trip! :no:

Has anyone got any tips on how to deal with babies on long car trips... I'm really dreading it!!

[LittleMissyMoo]

Oh yeah, DD hated the car seat for a while but eventually grew out of it.

When we went on a long trip, we made sure we did it during her routine nap time. She was so tired she didn't bother screaming. When she woke up, we kept leaning back handing her Cruskits to munch on.

Now that she's older, we put her favourite CD on in the car and she's as quiet as a mouse.

Good luck :)

[Alleykat]

Oh dear!
I can tell how you must be nervous.
DD used to not like the car but now she is okay.

Here is what we did :

When we had to drive an hour away, we would leave when she would usually nap, so she would nap in car.

Make sure straps on baby seat arnt tooooo tight over tummy, as sometimes they were too tight and she has sensitive tummy at the best of times and making her uncomfortable.

I would give her fresh cold teether from the fridge to distract her, that would usually last about a few minutes!!

I would keep a special toy that she hasnt seen in a while or new toy in the car so she can be amused

If she is feeling grizzly I will sit in the back with her, and that would make it a bit better. One time she went so crazy we pulled over, I got her out, calmed her down, gave her a bit of break and continued.

All the best! :thumbsup:

[the_queen]

I concur with the others, absolutely do it at a time when she will sleep. Sometimes a mirror can keep a bubs amused for a while. Having someone sit in the backseat with her is also good, so you can hand her toys and talk with her and stroke her head and hold her hand.

Is she facing forward, or rearfacing still? I found with my kids they HATED rearfacing and were fine once I turned them. I think they got carsick - I can't sit backwards on the bus or train for the same reason. I tied ribbons and had mobiles things so bubby could focus on that.

[Alleykat]

oh yes! good idea Queen about the mirror. Forgot that one.
We got a mirror from Babybunting for about 30 bucks, and its so great, you can see bub and bub can see you!!!!!!!

[RmumR]

HI Katie, We too are going away for easter long weekend to my parents place which is just over 2hrs drive.
I always plan to leave just before a sleep time and either DH or i sit in the back with DD and she has her bottle and hopefully goes to sleep for a while. I also put a bag with some toys, cold teething rings, rusks/snacks etc in the backseat to whomever is sitting with her can pass her things to amuse her if she doesn't sleep.

As the_queen said does Lily face the front or back. I know DD hated it when her seat faced the back but is much happier to face the front.

Good luck and hope you have a nice trip and a lovely easter with Lily

[popetsmum]

We have made a few 7hr trips - the best for us is to leave straight after a night sleep and then feed and leave (6am is best.) driving after about midday one oclock is not so good.

[Lilyloo]

Yes, she does face forward now. And this has helped a little bit, but she just hates being restricted, especially for such a long time.

The majority of the trip is a freeway too, so i'm not going to be able to pull over if she gets hysterical. :no:

Thanks for the tips, i'll try a mirror, make sure we leave at sleep time, and pack some snacks and toys...

Not much else you can do I suppose.

[Roxy]

DD was the same....

I used to travel on my own, because DH is self employed and usually we could not afford for him not to work...

To get around the cranky, screaming baby in the back seat I used to leave very early in the morning, so we'd be arriving at our destination at around breakfast time - and seeing as we were normally only going to my mum and dad's it was fine to arrive so early (and they are always up anyway)....it meant that she slept for all but the last tiny while of the trip, and it made travelling so much easier.

[RmumR]

Yeah you just have to cross your fingers and do it to be honest. Sometimes they are good sometimes they aren't. I've had to pull off the freeway at the next exit before and get DD out for a bit once when she got very worked up.

[chicky2lala]

Does she watch tv at all? You could always get one of those portable dvd players and play baby einstiens or whatever she likes.
Just another suggestion.