If you know anything about our family, you know that we love family time and we love road trips!
Ryan and I have been road tripping together across the U.S. since 2012 and have seen over 35 states thus far, but we found ourselves asking if we could continue to travel this way in 2017 now that we have a baby.
The answer? Yes we can!
With a little more planning and preparation, we found that we can still have a successful roadtrip... and you can too! Read our top tips on:
With a little more planning and preparation, we found that we can still have a successful roadtrip... and you can too! Read our top tips on:
How to Roadtrip with a Baby
1. Confront Your Fear
Just like anything else, it's important to first confront your fear of a roadtrip with a baby. Knowing that your baby will cry or have a blowout or spit-up as soon as you depart (in our experience) helped us plan and prepare for our travels more efficiently. We found that going into the roadtrip with this mindset was critical to it's success.
2. Make Frequent Stops
It is essential that you make frequent stops throughout your roadtrip, for you and baby! Our daughter lets us drive three or four hours while she naps, then, when she wakes, we stop for a half hour or so to feed, have a diaper change and play together. The stops help us all regroup so we can continue the roadtrip satisfied.
3. Purchase New Toys
There is nothing more effective or entertaining than new toys for a baby on a roadtrip. Our daughter's top three favorite toys to play with while traveling are:
Lovies
Fanfan the Fawn
Rattles
4. Ride in the Backseat
Although blankets, mirrors and new toys are beloved by babes on road trips, nothing can replace the sight of Dad or Mom! Riding in the backseat next to your rear-facing baby ensures that you can comfort him or her and make any necessary adjustments on the road without sacrificing travel time.
5. Travel During Naptime or Nighttime
Every baby is different and his or her needs are unique, but we found that traveling during naptime or nighttime makes for an easier roadtrip for everyone. Our daughter sleeps well first thing in the morning and again at night, so we try to drive as far as we can in the early morning hours then plan to make frequent stops or rest during the day so we can recuperate by nighttime.
Although road tripping with a baby requires more planning and preparation, try not to let your fear undermine your travels!
Be sure to use these tips to ensure a successful roadtrip for all.
Bon voyage!
Lovies
Fanfan the Fawn
Rattles
4. Ride in the Backseat
Although blankets, mirrors and new toys are beloved by babes on road trips, nothing can replace the sight of Dad or Mom! Riding in the backseat next to your rear-facing baby ensures that you can comfort him or her and make any necessary adjustments on the road without sacrificing travel time.
5. Travel During Naptime or Nighttime
Every baby is different and his or her needs are unique, but we found that traveling during naptime or nighttime makes for an easier roadtrip for everyone. Our daughter sleeps well first thing in the morning and again at night, so we try to drive as far as we can in the early morning hours then plan to make frequent stops or rest during the day so we can recuperate by nighttime.
Although road tripping with a baby requires more planning and preparation, try not to let your fear undermine your travels!
Be sure to use these tips to ensure a successful roadtrip for all.
Bon voyage!
Carseat: Britax
Pacifier: Natursutten
Pacifier Clip: Matimati Baby