How to Plan a Long Trip in the Car With a Baby

If you are planning a longer car trip than usual with your baby, you should make sure you are prepared. There are some things you can do to make sure you and your baby enjoy the ride.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• formula
• water
• snacks
• extra diapers
• extra wipes
• bag for trash

1. Make sure the ride is safe. Your baby's carseat should be properly installed.

2. Fill the gas tank before your baby falls asleep. This way, you can drive as far as possible without having to wake up your child. This will make the ride seem quicker and much less stressful.

3. If you have a small baby, you can start your long trip at his regular bedtime. Put your baby to sleep in his carseat and put him gently into the car. You may get lucky and your baby will sleep the whole way!

4. Pack twice the diapers, formula and wipes than you think you will need. This way, if anything were to happen and you are on the road longer than expected, you will be prepared.

5. Keep the seat next to the baby clear so you can use it as a changing station if needed. Also, if you are traveling with another adult in the front seat, it will make it easy for one of you to hop into the back next to the baby if he cries.

6. Purchase a new, interesting, and brightly colored toy for your baby. Show it to him for the first time on your trip. This way, it will hold his attention for a while.

7. Mount a mirror made just for baby in the backseat. Babies like to look at other babies and your child will be interested in this for a long while.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember, never leave your child alone in the vehicle.
• In a stuffy or hot car, your child will heat up three times faster than you would. Leaving a child in a car alone can cause heatstroke when your child heats up. Even one or two minutes is too long. Take your baby with you.

[Mitestarossa]

on 6/6/2009 It is not easy to travel far with a baby.