Roadtrip with a Newborn and Toddler

rin2809

Active member
So, I have been convinced by my DH that, barring any health concerns, we are taking an 8 hour roadtrip to be with his ailing grandparents for Christmas this year. Normally not a huge deal, but I am due with our second son on Sunday, so at the oldest he will be 3 weeks and could be as young as a week and a half when we travel.

Thankfully, my 3 year old is an awesome roadtrip kid. We do this drive 3-4 times a year and he has always been a trooper. With Northern winter weather, we will probably get on the road at about 5 AM and I plan for lots and lots of breaks along the way.

My question is more about seating configurations. My Mother-in-Law is coming with us, which is great to help with the kids, but tightens up our seating significantly. We have a 1999 Ford Windstar with 3 doors and a bench middle seat, no side airbags etc. I am trying to figure out the best/safest configuration for installing seats.

My 3 year old is FF in a Nautilus and we have a Chicco Keyfit for the newborn. My initial thought would be to put the Nautilus center or outboard on the driver's side in the Rear and have my MIL and toddler in the back seat, then me and the baby in the middle seat. I toyed with putting the baby in the back, but not sure about being able to crawl back there with him two weeks after having a baby...

Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
 
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Nedra

Car-Seat.org Ambassador
I don't know anything about that particular vehicle, but the set-up you are considering sounds good to me. Just wanted to say that I am sorry you will have to take a road trip right after having a baby! I think the baby will be fine, but make sure you are taking care of yourself!


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bnsnyde

New member
At that age I think the baby will just sleep. Baby will be too young to "entertain." Pretty easy.

I guess at that age I did not like them in carseats for more than quick inevitable trips b/c I always read about how they can stop breathing so easily in the carseat position, etc. 1-3 weeks old is quite young.

But seeing ailing grandparents is essential, I get it! I saw my great-grandma at 9 months old and it was PRICELESS for me. I have the photos and I am SOOOO glad my mom dragged me there on a plane to another state. Take LOTS of photos.
 

Brigala

CPST Instructor
PERSONALLY - I would send DH and the 3 year old and stay home with the newborn.

This is not a trip I'd even entertain as a possibility that soon after giving birth. Although I understand the ailing grandparent thing which is why I'd be willing to divide up the family for it.

I would wait for baby's 6 week mark before even thinking about whether we could all go.
 

featherhead

Well-known member
When my oldest was about two weeks old (maybe only a week and a half) we drove almost 3 hours to a friends wedding. My bottom was sooooo sore. I can't imagine 8 hours.
 

lgenne

New member
Is flying in the budget? I would pay a lot to avoid that drive so soon after giving birth. Even if it's just you and the baby flying.
 

NVMBR02

New member
We did 12ish hours when dd1 was about 2 weeks old. The trip was fine, she was still sleeping all the time. We didn't have her passport yet so we couldn't fly (Italy to Germany) Flying with her at ~6 weeks was harder (it was about a 2.5hour flight). I'm assuming that a lot of it is dependent on how your labor goes and if you have any soreness afterwards.

I think your car seat set up is fine so most of it will depend on how you and baby are doing after booth. Good luck!!
 

allmyboyz

New member
I just travelled 12 hrs in two days with my 6 wk old, 2.5 yr old and 5 yr old and baby was great. I thought I was too until I finally arrived and every inch of my body was hurting for two days and I felt so exhausted. I felt like I had just given birth again. Point is I think baby will be fine just worried about you. So yes you get seat closest to back door and lots of breaks if you must do it.

Personally I would choose another weekend a little further on to make this trip if possible and just sit the holidays out. I get ailing family but barring immediate crisis I would just wait a couple weeks.
 

Keeanh

Well-known member
I drove 20 hours each way (2 10-hr days) when #6 was 4 weeks old. She slept a lot. Thankfully she took a bottle so the older kids could feed her while we were driving. If you start early and don't have a deadline for getting there, 8 hours can be broken up quite a bit.

How "ailing" are they? Is it important to the grandparents that you be there *for Christmas*? Or is this your husband's idea and they would be just as happy with a January visit?

ETA: With a bench middle seat, I would sit in the front and be comfortable. I would only sit in the back to get away from the airbag to pump & to feed. But if you have the option of spreading the 8 hours over, say 15 hours (eg. 7am - 10pm), you should be able to stop for feedings.
 

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