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Some babies like long journeys, and some babies don’t. If your child falls into the latter camp, you probably dread buckling them up in the car. They might cry and scream and even wiggle their way out of their car seat, and the whole time, you feel like the worst parent in the world whilst you’re trying to focus on the road. Honestly, it’s a recipe for disaster!
And if you’ve got a long trip coming up, maybe for a ‘staycation’ or to visit family on the other side of the country, the anxiety can make you want to cancel the trip entirely. But before you do that, you should check out the tips below.
A tired baby is a happy-in-the-car baby! As such, make sure you’re either travelling at times when they’re naturally sleepy or do some activities together that’ll waste some of their energy. You can then clip them into their seat, pop a nice cosy blanket on top, and get at least half of the journey done without feeling their distress.
New toys are super exciting! And they’re often a lot more exciting than the detested ‘long haul’ journey you’re about to go on. If you’re going to be in the car for a very long time, have something tactile and preferably noisy for your baby to use along the way. The more entertainment they get from just the one toy or puzzle, the more peaceful and less disruptive the journey is going to be as a whole.
When you break the journey into two, you can have a good rest during your stop-off. Not only does your baby get to spend time outside of the car, breathing in fresh air and even having something yummy to eat, but you get to look away from the road for a while as well! As such, this is a tip for both you and your child. Aim for the midpoint of the journey, if you can, and always try to stop at regular intervals if you’re going for upwards of 4 hours.
When you’re comfortable, feeling peaceful, and like you can get through the drive calmly, your baby is going to pick up on the ‘vibe’. As such, make sure you’ve brought along some items that’ll help you feel positive, too. Some car sickness tablets, maybe? Or perhaps just a bag of your favourite sweets to go in the front with you?
Sometimes, this means changing your car for one that suits your family better. However, a brand-new, top-of-the-range vehicle isn’t necessary. Instead, you can shop online at edmunds for a quality second-hand vehicle and still feel comfortable and capable in the driver’s seat. Make sure the car handles well, and your baby feels safe in the back too.
Your baby can be happy in the car – just wait and see!
This is a collaborative post.
Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
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