Don’t do it!
My son was not used to all that car riding. When he was asleep it was fine but he wouldn’t stay asleep for long then would cry. He was not a happy camper and I felt terrible for putting him through that.
Sunday night he wouldn’t stop crying. We were going to drive home and my husband decided to stay another night. So we booked a hotel. (We were staying at his aunts apartment) Nothing I did would calm him down. I had already bathed him, he was fed but he was tired and when babies are overly tired they cry and cry and cry.
It truly is heartbreaking to watch, especially since it’s my fault,I did say yes to going. I rocked him, gave him his pacifier, covered his face with a blanket and nothing….so I decided to swaddle him. At first there was some hesitation on his part but I picked him up and started shushing loudly in his year along with rocking and IT WORKED! I read about the 5 S’s by Dr. Harvey Karp. (See below)
I was so relieved, my poor little guy fell asleep.
In conclusion, I would not take a 2 month old on an overnight trip. Maybe your child is different but I would not recommend it.
I will try again when he’s older and see how he behaves.
Dr. Karp’s “5 S’s System.” According to Dr. Karp, to sooth a crying infant, recreating the womb environment helps the baby feel more secure and calm. Dr. Karp recommends:
- Swaddling: Tight swaddling provides the continuous touching and support your baby is used to experiencing within the womb.
- Side/stomach position: The infant is placed on their left side to assist in digestion, or on their stomach to provide reassuring support. “But never use the stomach position for putting your baby to sleep,” cautions Karp. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is linked to stomach-down sleep positions. When a baby is in a stomach down position do not leave them even for a moment.
- Shushing sounds: These imitate the continual whooshing sound made by the blood flowing through arteries near the womb.
- Swinging: Newborns are used to the swinging motions within their mother’s womb, so entering the gravity driven world of the outside is like a sailor adapting to land after nine months at sea. “It’s disorienting and unnatural,” says Karp. Rocking, car rides, and other swinging movements all can help.
- Sucking: “Sucking has its effects deep within the nervous system,” notes Karp, “and triggers the calming reflex and releases natural chemicals within the brain.”
Until next time
