by Autumn Burke

Created on: December 13, 2006   Last Updated: November 09, 2009

The thought is terrifying; you can barely survive a trip to the grocery store, let alone a trip in the car that will last hours. Once you have a baby this does occur to you and sometimes may even hinder you from travel. Do not fear, with a little extra thought you can have a safe and even enjoyable trip, regardless of how many hours it will be.

The first step is to be prepared. It seems like when you go anywhere you're always forgetting something or running out of something, use all of that knowledge that you've gained for this trip. Just because you're bundle of joy is smiling and happy now, doesn't mean that a wicked case of diaper rash or an unexpected fever can't erupt in a couple of hours.

When packing for any kind of over night travel and hours on the road, pack to the limit your car can hold. If you think he'll need 10 diapers per day, pack an extra 5 just in case. Extra wipes, diaper ointment, medications, extra clothes, all of these things need to be added. I always use this rule, if you think you've got enough add a couple more just in case.

You want to pack the majority in the trunk but add a few of the extras in the diaper bag just in case so they will be handy if you need them. Last thing you want is to have to rummage through the trunk in the rain with a crying baby covered in vomit or worse and maybe you covered in vomit or worse (I've been there).

Next a quick check on your equipment before you leave, just make sure everything looks good, that includes the car seat of course, it's the most important and I shouldn't have to tell anyone that. Also go over any other items you're taking such as playpen and stroller.

Now you are ready to go. I have seen this part turn an eight hour trip into a twelve hour trip. Four extra hours were added for changing diapers, stopping to feed the baby, etc. As new parents we really weren't very efficient because we didn't have a clue.

I learned a few quick tips, while you can't (obviously for safety reasons) take a child out of a car seat, you can feed them in one. My first attempt at this trip, we stopped every time a bottle was needed, that included time to eat and time to burp. You can see how it added up. After a little practice I realized that all I needed to do was feed the baby in the seat.

I sat in the back, fed the baby, then when burps were needed, we'd find the nearest exit. My husband would pull off and I'd take him out and burp him, then back in the car. It really helped in the long run. Make sure that you try to be efficient with your rest stops also.

I do suggest if it's going to be a long trip, you do allow time to stop and remove your baby from the car seat to let him/her stretch out for a little while. They do get uncomfortable just like we do, they just can't complain in words yet.
Be prepared and remain calm and you can enjoy your trip with your new infant, whether it's two hours or twelve.

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