Travel to Williamsburg, VA

it's a vacation...napping is expected to be thrown off, as well as, night time sleep. again, it's a vacation. if you keep to your regular routine, then you may miss a lot of what is to be seen.
car driving. it'll take more than the thought time...you have to allow for stopping to eat, bathroom breaks and traffic. the bathroom breaks and eating time are a good time to take the baby out of the car and tire him/her out.
also, when you travel, don't do it exactly at nap time. that way the baby will be entertained in the car for a bit, eat, changed and then nap.
we used to do this all the time with ours who are now 14 and 9 years old.

I've done a lot of long car trips and flights with my kids. Plan for longer than you think it will take - when you stop, your son will need more of a break than you will. I wouldn't leave right before nap time for a 6 hour drive, and I wouldn't drive after bedtime (but this is because my kids would make the drive MISERABLE and my almost 2 year old wouldn't sleep at bedtime, he would just cry). I would leave about an hour before nap time, just enough time to lose interest in the drive, fall asleep, and then the drive will be almost half over! (I've done this by myself with a 10 month old while 6 months pregnant!). I bought 3 or 4 NEW toys for the big trip I did by myself. Etch-a-sketch or aquadoodle is good. Hand them out one at a time. The nice thing about being rearfacing is that the toys don't fall off a lap as easily! Snacks of course are good, DVD player is a life saver (this is my only exception to being anti-TV), even to just mix things up for 10 minutes. And music - any will do at 10 months, but we particularly love the Laurie Berkner Band (kids love, parents don't feel homocidal after listening to same CD 400 times) and the Dino 5 "baby loves hip hop" (if that's your thing). Even kids books on CD work (we tried adult books but we couldn't hear them over our son screaming).

Plan to arrive at least 2 hours before bedtime so your son can become familiar with the surroundings and relax for bedtime, and then stick to your nap schedule the next day. Try to keep everything else normal - traveling upsets routines, and babies really thrive on routines. For us, right now, 6 hours is the maximum we can drive in one day, with both our kids. We have to plan to be gone at least 3 days, to make the drive back tolerable for them too. So no more weekend getaways more than 4 hours away....for now.

Good luck! Try to have fun!

You have to plan to leave so you DO NOT hit DC with at rush hour......... it will not be good. Also look at a map... sorry I do not have mine here in the house..... take the exit off the inner loop that will cut across instead of taking yoy all the way around the loop....... I think it is 250. I have taken this drive way too many times to my sisters in NC ..... I cannot stress enough to get out of NYC before rush hour here and then you will miss rush hour there.... then it will be pretty smooth driving. The rest areas once you get into VA are much cleaner and there is always some grass to maybe sit down for a bit and just be out of the car. DVD player is also a good thing......... it will be about a 9 hour trip.....
Enjoy!!!!!

Hi Anatasia,
I feel your concern. When my son was 8 months I had to take a trip to Atlanta, GA. I was worried as you are on how it would affect is sleeping patterns, if he would get restless, how would I nurse him etc. So my husband and I purchase a travel TV for the car. It comes with two TV that you attach with velcro around the headrest of the driver and passenger seat. The DVD part is a little smaller than 8x10 paper and goes into the lighter of the car. I brough all his favorite shows, einstien, dora etc and that kept him occupied. Whenever we stopped for gas and food I would nurse him, walk him around for some air and sights and he was fine.

Hope that works for you.

We are headed to Wiliamsburg, VA, too! We go every TG to visit with my husband's family. Our son just turned 3, but we have been traveling to VA, from CT, since he was one ( a 12 hour trip!!). I was really anxious the first time, but it really isn't that bad. All of the suggestions made by the other moms are on target! Frequent stops, diaper changes, snacks, sippy cups, etc. I also bring little toys, books, etc. Also, if you have one, (or you can get one), a DVD player really helps!!!!! There is always a bit of crankiness, especially towards the end of the drive, but really, we are all a bit cranky after a 12 hour car ride! :-) It passes quickly! Good luck and enjoy your visit. (Oh....also, I agree with the mom who said avoid DC if at all possible. We go around it, no matter what time of day. It can be a traffic nightmare!) Maybe we'll see you on the highway! :-) K.

I have 2 children (2years and 3month old), we have gone on long car trips before and they have gone well. Here is my advice. Pack a cooler filled with premade bottles and backup liquids and snacks. I usually pack gram crackers, cut up grapes in baggies, vegabible puffs or whatever snacks he likes. Bring extra outfits, because when they sit for a long while, the diapers tend to leak thru. Pack two bag to have in the back seat that are easy to get to. 1.)Pack a small bag with bibs, diapers, wipes and extra clothes and a changing pad to use in reststops. 2.)Pack another bad with small toys that he likes, perhaps buy something new for him to play with. I found that my son like to look at books on a drive, so I would hand him a new one each time he started to get restless. Also bring a favorite blanket or something that will comfort him.
Be prepared to have someone sit in the back with him, if he gets very irritable, entertainment is key on a long drive.
As others recommended a portable dvd is a good idea, if youre not against no tv under 3.
I would also advise leaving either right before nap time, right before bed time or super early in the morning. I would try to stop as little as possible and just get the driving done! Have fun.

We took our baby to Maine at 9 and 10 months, which is about 6 hours as well. We left at bedtime so she was drowsy at the beginning of the trip, and slept most of the way. Luckily for us, she transfered well upon arrival. I can't imagine strapping her into a carseat, awake, for that long!

hi, just got back from a week vacation with the kids, the baby is 10 months and we drove about the same time. well, first, i would really try to plan the time you leave. try to feed him and then go early in the morning, and hope he doesnt fall right asleep. maybe even sit in the back an hour to play, then move to the front and let him eventually sleep. when he sleeps, do not stop no matter what. its just too risky for him waking up.

then she woke up, and we wouldnt say anything at first. she would play, then want out. i would suggest when its time to eat, to stop somewhere, feed him, then maybe sit a little bit. if we put her right back in after eating, it was tough. but if we sat at the rest stop awhile, she went back in no problem. then hopefully, he will play a bit, and might even take another nap.

so we fed, played the carseat, slept, fed, walked around, play in the carseat again. then got cranky awhile and would cry on and off. stopped again, fed again. then eventually went back to sleep. it was fine the majority of the trip, but later on, it was more difficult. just bring lots of toys and only give one when he def doesnt like whatever he has.

dont worry about naps, it will be too stressful and he isnt going to sleep exactly the same, esp being in the car. you will be fine as long as you expect their to be some difficulties and dont stress about schedules. its not in your control. good luck

Travel can be inconvenient with a 10 month old, but it's completely doable! I have a son the same age, and I actually take at least one road trip a month to VA to see my family. Here's what I do:

1. Leave right before his morning nap, so he's sleepy.

2. Give him a sippy cup (or bottle) of milk/formula to drink in the carseat. (And have extras on hand!)

3. Give him his "lovey" (my son has a teddy bear) to hold in the carseat. This really helps my son nap in the car.

4. Have plenty of snacks on hand, and have someone in the back during snack time to talk to him and watch him (so he doesn't choke).

5. Get out of the car every 2 hours. If possible, have a sitdown meal with him. We hit the Big Boy or Waffle House- totally gross, but it gives him a chance to throw food and stretch his muscles!

6. DON'T skimp on changing diapers! When my son sits in it on car rides for longer than 3 hours, he usually ends up with a terrible diaper rash. So suck it up, and make sure to change him at least once on each trip. (Super fun at rest stops...)

Hope this helps! Don't be afraid to take your time, and stop when your son is starting to lose it. Those rest stops make for good people watching for babies. :)

We have a 7 month old, and have driven to Pittsburgh (6 hours ) 3 times. I sat in the back seat, my husband drove, and I just entertained the whole time she wasn't sleeping. We really tried to coincide it with when she was tired and would at least nap once. She fussed here and there, and was tired after the trip, but it was no big deal in the end.

You just make frequent stops on the way when the child is awake and keep driving while the child is sleeping. Avoid playground during your stops; otherwise, you will have a very hard time getting a crying child back into the car.

leave early in the morning. as you approach rest stops or city exits take note of how he is doing. if he looks as if he could sleep more, keep moving. if he is awake stop and stretch your legs. please do not stress yourself about getting there on time. give your self time to relax and get him out of the car seat. they, too, get tired lying on their backs and he is at that age where their limbs need to be used-crawling, standing, etc. so of course, he'll get restless.

you will be fine. keep a positive mindset. turn that 6 hour road trip into 9 fun hours.

best wishes and God's blessings upon you and yours.