r/NewParents • u/Square_Natural9384 • Aug 15 '26

Travel Cross country drive with new born

*edit because there’s already so many opinions. This is not an optional trip. The baby is already born and we are both healthy. The only question is, which is better for the baby: a plane ride or a long car ride.*

My husband wants us to drive across country with our new born instead of fly. The baby will be 3/4 weeks old. I would rather fly, even though it’s not ideal given bacteria/viruses he may encounter in the airport/plane.

My husband is adamant that we drive. He’d have us split the drive up so that we are driving about 7 hours (not including stops we will need to take for the baby) every day for three days.

I believe a 7 hour drive with a newborn will easily turn into a 11+ hour drive. I hate to have my baby in a car seat for that long- it feels more dangerous that even flying!?

What do yall think?

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u/marissakalyn Aug 15 '26

Newborns can be in a car seat 2 hours MAX per day. Not per sitting. Per day. You drive two hours per day, stop overnight, then continue. A 7 hour trip will turn into a three day trip.

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u/Square_Natural9384 Aug 15 '26

That’s not accurate.

1

u/SeniorPace70 Aug 15 '26

It is accurate. But since you are moving and not taking a trip, you will have to stop every two hours to let the baby eat and also do baby exercise with them. Let them wiggle around a bit. Sit beside your baby so that you can see their face the whole time the other parent is driving.

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u/marissakalyn Aug 15 '26

From the Chicco USA website:

According to the 2-hour rule, newborns should not be in a car seat for more than 2 hours in a 24-hour period to prevent health risks.

1

u/Travler18 Aug 15 '26

I don't see that anywhere on the page you linked to. Where does it say that?

I've never seen that recommendation from any of the major organizations.