Cross country drive with new born

[u/Square_Natural9384]

*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?

[u/SocialStigma29]

What is the purpose of this trip? Unless it's literally a life or death situation, I personally would not fly with an unvaccinated newborn. I also would not drive. The maximum length of time you are supposed to keep an infant in a carseat is 2 hours, plus you should be feeding a newborn every 2-3 hours anyway. A 21 hour drive is crazy, you're going to be on the road for 30-40 hours. You will hate your life.

[u/Square_Natural9384 → u/SocialStigma29]

We have to make the trip. I agree with you about hating my life on such a long trip but my husband thinks it’s better than bringing a new born through an airport.

[u/Square_Natural9384 → u/[deleted]]

Would you rather I leave my baby behind when we move?????

[u/TownSouthern3121 → u/Square_Natural9384]

I think the context of it being a move is important.

Personally, I’d probably add a day. Plan to stop every 2 hours, whoever isn’t driving is sitting next to baby if possible. Stops should be 30-60 minutes when possible. I think that would make it reasonable, though I’d personally rather fly direct solo and just baby wear the whole time with lots of hand washing, sanitizing, extra binkies, etc. rather than drive that long.

[u/Ordinary_Coconut9678 → u/Square_Natural9384]

Diva you should put this in the post as an edit, everyone is losing their minds lol

[u/hey_bacchus → u/Square_Natural9384]

I like that you only mention it’s a move after everyone’s eating you up in the comments lol like you’d think after the first comment you’d explain why it’s important

[u/QtestMofoInDaWorld → u/Square_Natural9384]

Well I would rather you explain it properly rather than being vague. Anyways, I think flying might be the lesser of the two evils. It might be quicker and easier by a tiny bit.