Having a baby changes everything, and travel is very different after you have kids. I have 4 and we road trip all the time! There are a few things to consider when taking a road trip with a 2 month old.
Some babies love traveling by car, with an infant, be sure to have an adult sit next to the baby to make sure they are safe and comfortable. When traveling for more than 2 hours in the car with a 2 month old, be sure to stop and take the baby out of the car seat.
Traveling with a 2 month old is easier than traveling with an 18 month old in my experience!
Very small babies usually enjoy the motion and sounds of traveling in the car, they are soothed by the sounds of the road. They may sleep for much of the trip.
I really try to follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations of stopping every two hours and having all the kids get out of their car seats. This is super important for babies who can slump down in their seats and struggle to breathe.
This is called positional asphyxia, and it occurs when a person’s posture effects their ability to breathe. Babies, who cannot change their own position easily, are at a greater risk of positional asphyxia.
So always monitor babies in their car seats and get them out regularly.
How often should you stop on a road trip with a baby?
When traveling with babies, plan to stop every 2 hours and get them out of their carseats. Staying in one position for a long time is not good for anyone, and can be dangerous for babies. In a car seat it is very difficult for babies to change their posture. If they slump down it can make breathing difficult. Always monitor babies in their carseats.
Every two hours may seem like too much. If this is not possible for you, make sure that an adult is riding next to the baby who can monitor the baby to be sure their breathing is not becoming labored.
It is also best to change diapers every two hours, so a stop makes sense. Road trips with diapers are a bit tricky and you can get some great tips in this post.
I recommend that every family stop every few hours on a road trip!
Don’t miss the journey! Plan a stop every two hours and do not try to drive more than 8 hours in a single day.
When I was growing up, we took a 600 mile road trip every year, twice a year. We drove 10-12 hours one way and only stopped once. We stopped at a highway rest stop on the border of NY and NJ. We would go to the bathroom and get gas, then get back in the car.
I have driven past NYC dozens of times and I have never been.
Plan to stop, plan to see interesting things and enjoy the travel.
Those who travel frequently, like full time RVers, go by the 222 rule. Drive no more than 200 miles, arrive before 2pm and stay 2 nights.
This is a well loved rule for enjoyable, low stress travel and if you have the time, I totally recommend it.
I have quite a few resources to help you plan road trip stops. This post has a free printable worksheet that can give you a framework for planning and this post shows you my favorite Google Maps features that will make you feel like a local.
What should I pack for a baby on a road trip?
Packing! If packing could be a hobby, it would be mine. I love a good packing list!
When packing for a baby be sure to have plenty of extra clothes, diapers and formula. These are the essentials, and they should be easily accessible in the car. You may consider a white noise machine, extra pacifiers, baby blankets and a change of clothes for parents. If you are a breastfeeding mama, pack a manual pump and a bottle.
I like to have a pump so I can bottle feed in the car seat if the schedule mandates it. We still stop frequently, but sometimes the baby’s feeding schedule makes it easier to have the option to pump and feed while rolling down the road.
Babies will likely eat less when traveling and you will want to be able to pump off some milk so you don’t end up leaking all over your entire outfit in a Chipotle parking lot. Ask me how I know.
Pack an accessible change of clothes for mama as well. Babies are always wet! Spit up, leaky diapers and milk can make it challenging to stay clean when caring for a newborn.
When can a baby go on a road trip?
If you are concerned that your baby is too young to go on a road trip, please discuss that with your pediatrician. Every baby is different and their birth weight, gestational age, and current weight and health could make long stretches in the car seats a bad idea.
I am sure you have seen the car seat test given to some newborns before they are discharged. This pediatrician discusses the details and purpose of the test:
This test demonstrates the main concerns when bringing a baby on a road trip.
Your pediatrician is the only one who knows all the details and concerns with you and your baby.
Depending on the nature of your trip, you may also need to consider if a road trip is a good fit for your family.
Young babies need to eat and be changed very often. This is easier if you have a quiet place to attend to your baby. This can be a hotel room, a car, or an RV. Be sure that you have a plan for these things.
I am crazy and I bring my kids everywhere, it can be done, but you should plan ahead.
I like to always have a baby carrier, so there is always a safe, clean place for my baby. I also carry lots of clean blankets to cover the floor or diaper changing tables so there is a clean place to put the baby down.
I like this portable white noise machine as well. I just love gadgets and I love having everything I need in my baby bag.
Is it better to fly or drive with a newborn?
Travel with a newborn is best done when mom and dad are most comfortable. Traveling in your own car keeps you in control of your environment and allows you to keep everything you need in arm’s reach. Flying can be an option if you are a seasoned traveler and are very comfortable with air travel.
I think it is pretty obvious that I think road trips are awesome, I have a whole website about it. I love em.
Flying makes more sense in some situations. If you live close to an airport and you are traveling more than 200 miles then you may want to fly.
Remember that if you fly with a newborn you can carry them on your lap, but you will need to bring a car seat to use when traveling around your destination.
Renting cars with car seats is an option if your budget allows.
If you choose to have your newborn travel in their carseat, you will have to pay for a seat for them on the plane.
I think flying is more challenging because I do not do it very frequently and there are a lot of details to take into consideration.
If you fly frequently, have access to a car seat at your destination and live close to an airport, it could be a good fit for your family.
