Last Updated on 14/09/2021 by Mandy
Roadtripping with your baby
Whether you are driving your own car, or hiring one, here are some tips to help reduce the stress of road tripping with a baby!
- Time the drive around their sleep. Try to ensure you have a sleeping child, rather than a cranky one. If you’re in the passenger’s seat, you’ll get a nice stretch when you need to manoeuvre your body to deal with your backseat passenger’s needs.
- Two words: Choose your playlist beforehand. If you don’t have one play the Wiggles (at least until they fall asleep).
- Pack an old favourite toy, as well as a new toy. They will love the comfort of their favourite toy but the new toy also keeps them entertained as you get to your final destination. Hot tip: Use chain links and hook the toy (safely) so you don’t spend most of the trip spinning around, pulling toys out of the car seat or footwell below.
- Food and drinks: Depending on the age of your baby and where they’re at with feeding stages, either pack a non-spill sippy cup with water (or drink bottle) and not-so-messy snacks. Consider sultanas, grapes, sandwiches, corn thins or rice cakes. Ok your car is going to get dirty but it’s worth it!
- Hire car: Don’t stress. Just hire your baby seats (child restraints), prams and even portacots from Hire for Baby. They make it easy and install everything in your hire car beforehand.
- Avoid long road trips (greater than 2 hours) if your baby has colic or is not well – it’s going to be painful for everyone. Also, consider time for stops.
- Playground spotter: If your little one is slippery slide-ready, use Google Maps as you go on your journey to find good playgrounds nearby to break up the long drive. Yes, this is a search option and it’s awesome.
We have found these great car organisers to help you on your trip: