1 . Make Sure You ’ re Well Rested . Just because you feel fine right before leaving , doesn ’ t mean you ’ ll stay alert an hour into the drive . Driving for a long stretch with a baby in tow can be mentally draining . Make sure you ’ ve had enough sleep before hitting the road .
2 . Leave At the Right Time . Does your baby sleep well in the car ? Leave an hour or two before naptime . Does he hate car rides ? Leave soon after he ’ s awoken from a nap or a good night ’ s sleep . Or consider starting your road trip around your baby ’ s bedtime . Don ’ t forget to factor in heavy traffic times .
3 . Break Up Your Trip . Going on a road trip doesn ’ t mean you have to be stuck in the car for five straight hours . A five-hour road trip broken up into two two-and-a-half-hour segments with a fun lunch or activity in between creates a much different experience . Mapping out several stops and kid-friendly restaurants in advance makes the sudden onset of a tantrum less stressful and can even make travel more efficient . If your baby is sleeping or tolerating the drive well , you can keep going until the next stop . A large blanket that your baby can crawl and roll around in will help maximize break time .
4 . Make the Car Seat Safe and Comfortable . Research shows that 7 out of 10 car seats are not properly installed . Review your instruction manual carefully before leaving . DMV also has some helpful tips ( http :// www . dmv . org / how-to-guides / install-child-seat . php ). For added comfort , consider inserting a car seat head and body support pillow for those younger babies who look like they ’ re swimming in their car seats .
5 . Have Window Shades . If the sun is glaring into your baby ’ s eyes , it won ’ t be long before he starts squirming , crying or screaming . Window shades are a good line of defense but keep an extra blanket nearby for reinforcement .
6 . Sit Next to Your Baby . Your baby will want some company , especially if he ’ s rear facing . And the closer you are , the sooner you can attend to his needs and preempt a meltdown .
11