I'm Crazy... but... (Travel, Reflux, Feeding... bunch of help needed)

I need your help / advice...

Looks like I'll need to drive to Canberra next Wednesday alone with my 3 year old and 8 week old.

3 year old has a DVD player and that will almost be enough to keep him entertained (I hope)

8 week old hates the car, I think it's cause of his reflux and the capsule squishing his tummy, but I don't have the money to purchase a new car seat until the 14th.

Will formula keep him settled for longer? Or will Breastmilk do the same?

Anyone recommend going Pacific Motorway v's New England Highway?

Anyone recommend any easy stops along the way?

What time of the day should I start my 15+ hour drive?

My husband needs me to do this... I'm so scared bub is going to scream the whole way

How does your bub sleep over night? If he sleeps reasonably, I'd go very early morning, or late after noon, or (from my experience) you won't get anywhere.
I wouldn't switch to formula, but I'd have bottles handy (EBM or FF sachets) so maybe DS could give him some of a bottle while you're finding a place to stop...
Does your LO take a dummy? If so have it handy.

I did 2 long trips when my DD was 5 & 6 weeks old with reflux. It was stop-start with her crying non stop unless it was her usual sleeping hours, so about 8pm on.
I'd break your drip up into 2 days as well. You're going to need the break!


I've been both roads & I think the Pacific Hwy is better. The Pacific Hwy from Ballina to Kempsey is the only part that hasn't been fully upgraded yet. (We're slowly getting there!!!) There are more service centres & easy stop ins down this way. Inland it averages to around an hour between towns, here there's a little town every 20 - 30 kms with rest area's etc. Though there are still road works in places.

He sleeps pretty well during the night, normally from about 8-9 till 2.30ish then waking anywhere from 5.30 till 8. Is awake for a bit then and has shorter naps until about lunch time when he sleeps again for a decent amount. Just worried he won't go to sleep once in the car.

He needs to be convinced sometime to take the dummy so DS won't be able to give it to him.

I like the idea of more stops available on the pacific motorway. Safer.

i would definitely go the pacific highway rather than going inland - there are loads of places for you to stop - whether it be a fast food place, service station or a rest stop.

Not sure if there is a difference in time though?

With the dummy - could you "practice" with your 3 year old over the next week - he might have some luck and be able to help you there....

Are you planning on breaking the trip up into 2 days and staying somewhere over night? if so, Port Macquarie or Forster would be about half way - and could be good spots to stop - lots of different options $$ wise to stay at...
Sorry - cant help you on the feeding, but as one of the pp said - i would perhaps take a back up supply of formula, just in case - saves the stress and worry if you know you have something there! (thats just me though - not sure your views on BF/FF etc)

good luck :)

No Google maps show's both highways the same in time to travel :)

On my two car trips today my little man didn't scream as much so that was a bonus, just when the car stopped did he get upset again and didn't take him as long to settle... so things might not be as bad as I first though... although knowing my luck....

I was hoping to try and do it without stopping over night but will have my iPhone with me so I can book in somewhere if need be, the reason for this is if both boys sleep better over night then it's best to travel then, however if I need to pull over for a nap I will.

I've got some formula sticks just in case but might give him a formula feed sometime before now and then to ensure that he drinks it... fussing over it mid travel doesn't seem like much fun...

We hire our car so I've talked to the car hire company to get a bigger car for the trip, unfortunately the one they first suggested isn't available next week but they have a Chrysler Voyager which I'm hoping to pick up this weekend so I can drive it a bit before we take off.

So I'm thinking the current plan is to leave here Tuesday early evening.... or first fed on Wednesday

we travelled singleton to gold coast when dd was 4 months, we left at 1030pm straight after i gave her a dream feed (a 200ml bottle of ebm) which kept her going till 6.30am and we were there at 7 so luckily we only had to stop for dh's rest breaks. i had it easy as dh drove so i could sleep and pump due to missing feeds, you obviously dont have that luxury, but maybe a big feed before you go and leave as you say in the evening, then when your little one wakes, you might have had a good few hours driving and are ready to stop yourself so you could stop and take your little one for a feed and sleep with you and then take off again once your rested and he has had another big feed and do the same again the next day or night? dd also has reflux and i didnt find it was really affected, till 6.30am when she woke up gagging, coughing and spewing so we did get quite a few hours out of her before it became an issue. Dont put too much stress on yourself to do it in one day, its hard enough with children, let alone by yourself.

Sounds like you have a plan, and yay for him not being too upset in the car - travel safe - and make sure you take enough breaks :)

Now freaking out about toilet breaks!! Lol

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Now freaking out about toilet breaks!! Lol

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Wide neck bottle and a funnel :rofl:

You'll be right. With the dummies, I know you're not meant to, but have two and tie them to th capsule so you can find them easily when they get dispatched.

You don't wrap, do you? When we had to drive 6 hours with our 6 week old DD, we put her comfort blanket over her and tucked her in - over the top of the harness ITMS.

Can't help on the highway. I hate them both.

Sounds like a plan. I'm a little worried about you driving at night. Make sure you stay safe??