Episode 112: First Road Trip With Baby? 10 Tips For Road Tripping With 6 Month Old

Planning a road trip with a newborn and wondering if it’s a good idea? Last summer, we planned our first family road trip. My mom, Baby K, and I packed our bags and we drove five hours to Saranac Lake in upstate New York. We had a chance to visit The Wild Center, a natural history museum exploring wildlife and nature in the Adirondacks. As a new mom, I was anxious about our first road trip with a baby. While I wasn’t sure what to expect, I was up for the challenge. In this episode, I share ten helpful tips for planning a road trip with a six-month-old baby. To beat the overwhelm, my biggest takeaways for baby car travel — be prepared, remain patient, and be flexible. 

Listen to the episode here:

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora | Podlink

5 Hour Road Trip With a Baby Guide

10 Tips for enjoying a road trip with a baby.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why you should pack your bags days before a road trip.
• Overpacking is normal; you’ll need all the things.
• Dressing your baby in comfortable road trip attire the night before.
• Feed and burp your baby before a road trip.
• Have someone sit with the baby.
• What to pack when road-tripping with a baby.
• How to handle stressful situations.
• Why you shouldn’t care if people judge you.
• Drive while your baby sleeps.
• How often to stop on a road trip with baby.

Watch the episode here:

Resources Mentioned

Chase has updated the welcome offer on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. 

Now you can earn 80,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening an account. That’s an additional 20,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points from the previous offer.

Disclaimer: This offer is accurate as of the publishing date of this episode; however, the offers mentioned may have expired.

Read Next: Best travel podcasts for road trips

Pack Days Before Trip

Waiting until the last minute is overwhelming, and you’re more likely to forget something. I recommend packing 2-3 days before your trip, so you’re less stressed. Stay organized by making a baby road trip packing list. When creating your baby essentials packing list, think of what to pack for meals, baths, sleeping, and playing.

Overpacking is Normal

Preparing for your first road trip with baby, you’ll likely overpack. Even so, you might still forget something important at home.

Dress Your Baby For the Occasion

If you choose to head out early in the morning, change your baby to comfy road trip clothing the night before, so you don’t disturb them while sleeping. 

Feed Baby Before Heading Out 

This may only sometimes work but do your best to feed and burp your baby before getting into the car.

Ride in the Backseat

Have someone sit with them as a companion. While mom drove, I sat in the back to attend to Baby K’s needs.

Have Baby Essentials Handy

Have bottles, milk, diapers, wipes, paper towels, pacifiers, and toys handy – not in the trunk of your car. You’re going to need them all. 

Babies Have Tantrums

Long road trips with a baby are uncomfortable for them and us. Do your best to comfort them.

Take Breaks

You know your baby best.

Get that pacifier and sway them back and forth.

Roll down the window. Do what you have to do!

Ignore the Judgement

Don’t mind people looking at you — maybe they’re judging you, but who cares — you are doing your best.

Drive When Baby Sleeps

Know your baby’s sleeping pattern and plan your driving schedule accordingly. Leaving early means avoiding traffic.

Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy

Traveling With Kids as a Single Parent With Daniella Gibbs – Episode 15

12 Ways To Save on Summer Travel – Episode 106

What To Pack For Road Trips – Episode 101

Connect With Danielle Desir Corbett

Follow The Thought Card Podcast on your favorite podcast player.

Instagram: @thedanielledesir

Twitter: @thethoughtcard

What tips would you add? Share your road trip with baby tips in the comments below.