Keep them busy. Any interactive toys that keep your baby engaged and occupied can help. Of course, the specific toys you use will depend on the baby's age, but try a few things and see what sticks. If all else fails, try putting one adult in the backseat next to the baby to keep them entertained throughout the drive.
Baby is overstimulated.
Too much noise, movement or visual stimulation — which they might get when hopping around in a jumper or strapped into the backseat of a moving car — might be too intense for sensitive babies, making them upset and cry.
But infants aren't as fragile as parents sometimes fear. And by age 3 months or so, babies are pretty good candidates for travel, as long as the trip is low-key.
Reasons Children and Babies Cry in the Car
Body temperature (too hot or too cold) The child is not feeling well. They are bored. They don't like being confined.
As many parents know, babies often love to sleep in the car. The droning sounds of the engine remind your little one of the womb—and may help send them into slumberland. And the jiggly movements seems to keep babies stimulated enough to promote breathing.
It is important for you and your baby to get out of the car every few hours and take a stretch to avoid restlessness. Try to take a break every 2 to 3 hours for a day trip and every 4 to 6 hours at night to change diapers or soiled clothes, or to feed your baby.
American Academy of Pediatrics spokeswoman Dina DiMaggio, a doctor at Pediatric Associates of NYC and at NYU Langone Health, recommends stopping every two to three hours for feeding, diaper changing and taking a break from the car seat. Dirty diapers or meltdowns might require more frequent stops, so patience is key.
Your baby should not be in a car seat for longer than two hours at a time. Research has shown a link between travelling in car seats for long periods and breathing difficulties in young babies. If you are driving for a long period of time, it is important that you take regular breaks (at least every two hours).
How soon can a new-born travel long distances by car? For a new-born baby, it is advised to limit car journeys to 30 minutes at a time.
However, infant healthcare professionals, safety experts and most car manufacturers recommend that babies should not be in a car seat for longer than 2 hours at a time and they should be taken out frequently. If your trip involves driving for long periods of time, you should stop for regular breaks.
Feeding Baby in a Car Seat
Don't feed baby while the car is moving. Bottles become projectiles in the event of a crash. Motion sickness is something to consider as well as choking hazards while a vehicle is in motion. Don't feed babies solid items of food that could be choking hazards, like grapes, in the car.
It usually varies depending on the development and size of your baby, but most experts and experienced parents (including me) agree that around 6 months of age, you can start taking longer rides (more than 2 hours).
Whether it's breastmilk or formula, you want to pack a cooler to bottle feed your baby on the road. Make sure you pack enough bottled water and formula powder (if you use formula). To help with space, I recommend pouring a small amount of water into the baby bottles and adding the formula when needed.
And, after the 4 month mark, most babies are able to tolerate car trip discomfort with more finesse; but if your baby seems to freak out as if they are left alone in a cold wet dungeon everytime their trapped in their backseat container, here are some tips to get you by when you want to be brave and venture out with ...
Even for a short trip, it's never safe for one of you to hold your baby in your arms while the other drives. Your baby could be pulled from your arms and thrown against the dashboard by a quick stop. Consider buying, renting, or borrowing a car seat before your baby's born, when you have time to choose carefully.
Some parents make poor driving decisions when their babies are crying, which puts everyone in the car at risk. Either pull over and calm your baby down, or focus on your driving. Don't try to do both. The good news is that a few new ideas and a little time and maturity will help your baby become a happy traveler.
Next, the motion and vibration of the car is relaxing to most babies. There is nothing new to hear, see, or feel so it calms most babies enough to fall asleep. Lastly, for some babies, the noise of a car is like white noise and it drowns outside noises making sleep more inviting.