Traveling with a one year old?

Question

I am almost 7 months pregnant and have a one year old. We will be driving from California to Kansas and I was hoping that someone would have some tips on how to make it less stressful and easier for my husband and I.

Answer 1

Try to travel starting at bedtime.  Once your toddler is awake, make stops that will help get rid of energy.  Also, make sure you have plenty of easy snacks and drinks.

Answer 2

We bought a portable DVD player and popped in their favorite movies. It helped tremendously! Also, if you can swing it, leave very, very early in the morning so maybe your 1-year old can sleep a lot of the way. Good luck.

Answer 3

If he likes music you could get lots of kids music, it's fun to all be silly and sing and move around to the music. There are some CD's we have with 'silly songs' which are a favourite in our car. I'm sure he'll be able to go longer than either you or your husband, hopefully it will tire him out and he will sleep!

Answer 4

Pack the car so that you can sit next to your child to entertain.  

A week or so ahead of time, pack a bag of toys and books.  Bring these on the trip - they will be more interesting and fun for him since he hasn't seen them for awhile.  Get things out only one or two at a time to keep things fresh.

Expect to stop for stretch breaks often - possibly every couple hours - and expect those breaks to be longer than 10 minutes!  Drive when he will most likely sleep as much as you can.  Give him time to explore a rest area or other place when you can - space to walk or crawl...  

Bring lots of snacks and drinks - whatever he's eating and drinking right now.  If he breastfeeds and still does so frequently, I'd bring bottles if he'll take them from you so you don't have to stop just for that.

A DVD player is a good idea if he's interested - my two will watch some baby einstein type shows for a little while.  It can help.  Many of those DVDs are are all music and images.

oh... and plan to pack a lot of patience.  :)

Answer 5

buy a portable dvd player . buy barnie and any other cartoon dvd that should work or leap frog if it's not to old for him/her.

Answer 6

Wow, that's a long drive. Frankly, I would think that doing it seven months pregnant might be the greater challenge, but I've never been pregnant and don't really know!

If your one year old is mobile s/he probably won't like being in the carseat for long periods of time. Sounds like a long, slow trip, because I think you'll be stopping a lot. It will be more stressful if you don't allow yourself enough time.

Have familiar, favorite toys, books, and music AND brand new toys, books, and music. Plenty of both.

Answer 7

Me and my sister used to travel with are parents and stuff...and we were 8  years apart...

Take some breaks and give the one year old somethings to keep her occupied

Coloring Books and Crayons..

Maybe let her watch some Dvds that goes for a while bring a couple...

Stop and let her pick out somthing at your gas station if she is good in the car...

And things like that... aLSO leave early or late at night so then she will sleep most of the way.

Answer 8

Go and buy a DVD that does have a lot of music. I would look into the baby Einstein videos they have lots of music. I would also leave early in the morning or late at night that way your little one can sleep most of the way. Good luck.

Answer 9

Leave right around bedtime and get a babysitter the day before u leave and sleeepppp. then drive at night