Road Tripping with a 9 Month Old

I am a 62 yr old gma- that is the way I like to travel best---
However- unless you are treling together, and one can sleep while baby sleeps, then don't do it- you will crash- and I hope not litterally. Once the kids are big enough to entertain themselves- you can do it. K.

thats a perfect idea....we schedule road trips around my sons naptime and most times it works....but when it doesnt its horrible. Good luck

Hello, My husband and I did that when we moved from Florida to North Carolina. Our son was 9 mos old....and he did beautifully. Unfortunately, we were a wreck! We also took two vehicles, my husband drove a moving truck and I drove the car. Our driving time was about 12-13 hours...and I remember feeling soo tired and sleepy that I felt like I was putting our safety at risk...It is something to consider, and they do wake up at thier normal time. But then there will be no rest for you. It was such an exhausting trip. Good Luck!

I took my two children (2 1/2 and 7 months) to Alabama to see relatives this summer. We traveled at night to there and during the day on the way back. Let me just tell you, DO IT AT NIGHT. It was SOOOO much easier. It is an absolute nightmare having them in their car seat while they are awake for hours on end. Wouldn't that drive you and me nuts? You can't even shift your weight around in those things to get comfortable. In any case, it was tough getting them to go to sleep, but once they did I drove the whole way. It was much easier for me. This is the only way to do it. Just leave close to her bedtime, so that she will fall asleep in the car. It may be tough til she goes to sleep, but then it's a breeze.

My family used to travel from Chesapeake to Boston every other year my parents used to take the day off from work to sleep and leave us with a relative who kept us awake untilol it was time to go. We would be out before we hit the CBBT. We would usually stop on the turnpike for potty and breakfast. I have 2 sister so sometime we would all go back to sleep other times we played. What my mom did and what I do with my duaghter is buy her something brand new to keep her occupied and don't let her even see it till she gets bored it usually keeps her happy for hours. The worst time I think is right after they are potty trained then you have to stop every 2hours at least for a potty break.

It has worked for me in the past. We did it recently from NC to KY. That is about a 6 hour drive. We also had a 2 1/2 year old with us as well. They both did great.

Good luck!!!

L.

Hi L.,

Your plan actually is very sound. I did and still travel that way with my kids if possible. I make sure they all have used the bathroom, showers have been taken, and snacks and bottles are packed and pj's are on. Not only is traffic better at this time, but its cooler and easier to do bathroom breaks for yourself and your husband. Make sure she has a fresh diaper before u leave and keep a bottle in arms reach in case she wants to eat before your destination. Just make sure you have enough sleep for the drive if you are driving.

We did this when we went on vacatiion to Florida (Gulf coast) in June with our daughter who was then 14 months old. Left at 2am (turned the carseat backwards so it would recline) and she slept until 0730ish in the morning. It worked beautifully. I wouldnt want to do it any other way. When she wakes up it will be time to stop for breakfast (stop somewhere with a play area) even a 9 month old likes to move a little :) and you will be off again. Hope it goes well.

Hi, About a month ago we took our son on a road trip from VA to MA. He was 9months old at the time. We left at 7 ( an hour before normal bed time) It worked out ok if you have someone elese that can be in the ca with you, if not when you stop to go to the bath room you have to keep waking the baby up to take them with you then they are cranky and once inside res area's it is very hard to get them to go back to sleep. It worked out better that on the way back we left at 4:00 in the afternoon he did much better. by the time we got home it was 4:00 am so we were still able to sleep after so long of a drive. I reconmend leaving earlier than later.

L.,
My husband and I have done this on many occasions. While we were in the process of relocating from PA to NC, we often drove at night so the children would sleep. Typically it works out good. It is very difficult when you have to still be up with the baby the next day. They are rested, but you are not! We would try to go to bed at 8:00 pm the night we planned to leave to get a couple hrs. of sleep and then get up around 1:00 am to leave. This way you had a bit of sleep! But you make better time at night and normally they will rest.

I recommend a DVD player that you could use during the trip. You can play Baby Einstein videos with relaxing music and movement. They have been a lifesaver for us!

Best of luck to you. Safe driving!
L.

L.,

Sounds to me like this is what you'd like to do anyway - so go for it. Just make sure that you've had plenty of sleep!! It's just a perk that this is her normal schedule.

Angie

Yes, my daughter was exactly 9 months last december when we drove from Apex to Jacksonville Fl. We left at 9:00 at night and it worked perfect. The only good thing was that my parents were able to watch my daughter while we slept in a little. Good luck.

N.

Hi L., my husband and I travel to NY from NC often and we have a 13 month old. We think the best time to travel is at night. The only problem is when you get to VA, it's hard to stay wake. Although every time we drove during the day, she did well staying up, especially with toys, snacks, juice, ect. We would leave about late afternoon-ish, and drive as long as we could (its about an 11 hour trip) the only thing was we'd try to drive the whole way and by the time we wanted to stop, it wouldn't make any sense to because by then she was going to be up in a few hours. Good Luck

Hi, L.. This is a great idea. We did this for a 10 hour trip when my daughter was 6 mos. old and it went really well. Just don't forget about your sleep! It will be most helpful if you can have another driver to switch off with each of you so that you are able to get some sleep OR arrange to take turns napping with hubby once you arrive.

My husbands family is from Gloucester, MA and we go up there a lot (when he is home) and my son is 19months old. I think thats a wonderful idea. I wouldnt be surprised if your daughter sleeps most of the way, because of the driving of course. Depending on what part of VA you are moving to...take 81 because there is less traffic, actually VERY little traffic. It is through the mountains of PA that gets tiresome because its the same scenery most of the way, and the longest state. But, you can stop a lot at rest areas and let her stretch her legs and play a little outside. I think leaving at midnight would be a little hard on you guys...maybe like 3???? Thats what my husband and I do. I wish you nothing but the best of luck!!!! Enjoy it...play kid music for her..and dance..and you should be fine (for when she is awake).

HI L.--I personally have never tried the night driving, but my sister swears by it! She has done it numerous times and although she is tired the next day, she says it is worth it.. I just moved here mid july and love it, so hopefully you will too..safe trip and good luck!

I have never travel that far when my son was that young. But he is 2 1/2 now and we travel from MA to Virgina all the time, as my in- laws live in MA and we live in VA. We have a portable DVD player and that keeps him busy for a bit. But I think that if you did keep you daughter awake as much as possible durning the late afternoon and then traveled at night it would work. I mean it does make since. Where in Virgina are you moving to and why are you moving, if you don't mind me asking?

Hi L.,

I have a son who was born one week before your daughter. Anyway I would begin driving at like 9 at night and yes I think that you are write, she will sleep thru the traveling. Yes we have done a lot of traveling and that is what I did.

Good luck and drink lots of coffee, N.

Sounds like a good plan. We have family that lives out of town and we do the same thing when we travel to see them.

yes, its very peaceful. We do it when we travel from NC to VA to visit family. As long as you can nap when she naps during the day and stand the drive, you'll be good to go. Or even Start out at 8 pm and drive for the 6 hours that way you can get to a hotel and rest for the remainder of her sleeping hours.

We used to do this all the time. When I was a kid we would travel an 8 hour trip to see family a few times a year. My parents got us all up at midnight and put us in the car. By the time we woke up, we were just about there. It worked great. On the other hand, with your daughter only being 9 months old, she'll probably sleep in the car anyway. Last year we drove from Oregon to VA, with our seven month old. She only woke up when we stoped for gas or to eat, and then was back asleep within 15 minutes of being on the road. If your daughter is a car sleeper, there probably isn't a need to leave at midnight (except for traffic of course (: ) But use the night trips when she gets older

It sounds like a really good idea, just be prepared to be really exhausted while your little angel is wide awake!

When my son was very young we took road trips quite a bit to see family. Driving from NC to PA and back or from NC to GA or TN and back. We always did pretty much exactly what you said. We would 'take a nap' and wake up around midnight and hit the road. This made it possible for us to drive with less traffic, but also less anxiety about him being miserable. He is now 11 years old and we recently left KY to come back to NC and left around 10pm so that both boys would sleep for at least a good portion of the trip.

The first thing I think about with your plan is when she wakes up refreshed and ready to go, you and your husband will be exhausted ready to crash! That would be hard! And she is too Y. to really be interested in dvd's yet, also. Hmmm, I wish you much luck in whatever decision to decide to make! Good luck!

Hi L.,
I did exactly the same that you are planing to do when my daughter was 8 months old and we had to go to NJ. She slept all the way there and her schedule did not get mess up at all. I tried that way because in another trip (when she was 7 months old) we traveled in the morning and she was very fussy, I guess from being in the car for so long.
Good luck,
E.

I have done this many times. My son is now almost 3 but it seems that the best time to travel is when he is sleeping. It has never backfired on us. We usually start about an hour past his bedtime and then we can make it to wherever we are going without having to bother or disturb my son. We also have a chocolate lab and it seems to work for him. Good luck!

Hi L.,
We moved down to Virginia last October in two cars with 3 kids, one being one week old! My advice is leave early and stop frequently. My baby slept the whole way. Try to avoid the George Washington Bridge.
Hope this helps.
J.

I vote no on this plan. When she wakes up and is ready to go, you'll be EXHAUSTED and ready to crash. And most roadwork occurs late at night, so you might be stuck more than you'd be during the day! I'd find another way to entertain her during the trip which, in my experience, isn't too hard with a 9mo. Good luck!

We did this with our 8 month old and it worked out great UNTIL we had to stop for gas in the middle of the trip and she woke up and didn't go back to sleep for almost two hours. We sang the "Hokey Pokey" about a million times at 2:00am in the morning. Whatever you do, DON'T stop and I'm sure she'll be fine.

Hi Sarah, we traveled with my son when he was 3months and 6 months on long road trips and I think that's a great idea. They tend to sleep well in the car most of the time anyways. You should be fine traveling at that time. I hope all goes well for you in your move. J.

My parents and in-laws live about 7 hours north of us (from NC to VA). I have a 9 month old now and we have been making that trip back and forth from NC to VA every month since she was 3 weeks old. My hubby is deployed, so, I go to visit my family frequently. I also travel with my two dogs as well.

I have been very tempted to leave at night because I know that my DD and the dogs will sleep the whole time. However, I also realize that if i do that, I would basically lose out on a night of sleep. Also, I am soo afraid of getting into a car accident late at night. So, we leave during the day.

1. DD sleeps in the car most of the trip and it does not mess up her sleeping through the night nor does it mess up her sleep schedule in any way.

2. Now, there are times that our 7 hour trip has turned into 12 hours but I deal.

3. The best thing I ever got and really wish I would of gotten earlier (right along with a backpack carrier) is a DVD player for the car. The past trip turned into a blessing and such an enjoyable ride. My DD is on a schedule, so, I can tell like clockwork when she'll need a diaper change or food. So, I made 3-15 minute preemptive stops to change her or feed her. She did not fuss the whole trip and it was wonderful and a lot of fun.

L.,

I had to move with a baby 16 years ago and remember being anxious about it. Jimmy was actually great during the trip. We slept well the night before and early mornig left for a 10 hour drive. OK it took us 12 hours but we got there safe and sound. What we did was keep the routine the night before, got up a little early and didn't wake Jimmy. He woke up in his car seat. We stopped every two - three hours for a 10 minute break (change diaper, stretch legs and back in the car), The motion of the car was relaxing to Jimmy. We kept bags of finger snacks handy (cheerios, fruit loops, etc.).

Relax, it will be fine.

C.

Hello. My husband and I did it with our daughter when we moved from Fl. to NC .. the drive was fine.. she slept the whole way BUT the only problem was.... my hubby and I were DEAD TIRED the next day and wanted to sleep and she was WIDE awake. So our schedules were very off.. .but if you can handle being tired for the day its much easier when they sleep through the drive and you dont have the traffic.
Good Luck!!!!!!

So, I've done this with my son, we left so he would sleep most of the trip, that worked really well, the problem is once you get there, she'll be awake and you'll both be exhusted from the trip. Just something to think about...welcome to the Old Dominion.

Go for it. We travedl a bunch growing up. My parents did it all the time.

Hey L.,

Well, my husband and I had three little ones in three years - this is the ONLY way we travel long distances with them. We always leave around 10 at night and drive as long as we can. If we are traveling home (from NC to WI) we make it in one shot - taking turns driving and resting. When we moved out here we had two vehicles as well and had to stop for some rest along the way. Usually this method works out well. We have had a couple of instances when they were younger when NONE of them slept and it was horrible - because they were then overtired and orniary. I think it is a great idea - just make sure you and your husband get plenty of rest before going if possible. There is less traffic but you want to be alert and safe. Best wishes on your move!

Hello, yes I have done that and it works well. I agree that it wont mess with her sleep pattern. Good luck on the trip. I am probably to late but I jsut joined in the group and wanted to put some input in. Thanks!

My friend did this with her kids when she went to Texas. She said it worked well. Kids generally do well in the car anyways, and they'll nap on their own. Plus take lots of breaks, for a few minutes, helps too. Good luck