If you are lucky, then your children love to sleep when they are in the car. The steady vibration of the car as it drives down the road can be soothing to children. It's important to keep the child's sleeping schedule even when you are on a long trip. A nice peaceful atmosphere full of familiar surroundings can help your baby to sleep, which can make for a peaceful trip for the parents.
Step 1
Place a sunshade over the window closest to the baby. If you are going to be taking a long road trip, install another sunshade on the opposite side of the baby as well. Sunlight in a baby's eyes can prevent sleeping, and can make the baby grumpy when awake.
Step 2
Mimic the child's bedroom as much as possible. Familiar surroundings will help the baby to feel comfortable. Bring the child's favorite stuffed animal, a blanket and anything else that is easily portable.
Step 3
Plan your trip around the baby's sleeping schedule as much as possible. If there are specific times when the baby is always awake, plan on those times for eating, fueling the car and other pit stops. Leave as early or late as possible, to get as much driving time as possible during the baby's sleeping hours.
Step 4
Take extended breaks when possible. During these pit stops, stimulate the child as much as possible. Playing, crawling or walking are all good ways to tire the little one out.
Step 5
Play soothing music or your baby's favorite CD while you are driving. This can be comforting to your child, and it will help to drown out external noises, parents talking or other sounds that could wake your child.
Step 6
Read your baby a bedtime story. If you normally read to your child before bedtime, then do it when on trips as well. This helps to duplicate normal sleeping patterns.
Things You'll Need
- Sunshade
- Baby's bedroom items
- Baby's music CD
- Baby's favorite book
