An upset baby in the car is one of the HIGHEST anxiety drivers for me! After a few long road trips and lots of 20-30 minute high anxiety drives, I’ve put together a list of what has helped us! Obviously every baby has different needs and there are so many different factors of what could upset a baby in the car, but I hope this list is helpful in some way! XOXO, J
Things that have helped us!
Photo Book: From a very young age, my boy has loved to look at photos of himself. Just recently, I put this photo book together for him with some cute pictures of him, and some of his friends and family, too! It has been AMAZING- he will spend a good chunk of time looking through the photos and I love it!
Interactive Toy: We have loved This Fisher Price Smart Stages Alphabet toy. I bought this for my boy when he was just over 1 but I feel like he is especially loving this toy lately!! It has helped him learn the alphabet, different noises, and some cute rhymes. Perfect for the car!
Books: I always keep 1 or 2 small books in the car with us and rotate through them when I feel like he’s getting tired of those particular ones.
Plush Toy: This darling Goodnight, Teddy book is so cute! It’s Teddy’s night time routine but you put him in the bath, help him brush his teeth, put him to bed, etc. So cute and fun for little hands! You could also pack this sweet picnic set that has different textures/noises for each piece!
Something Squishy: We’ve loved this fat brain toy for a VERY long time! My boy keeps finding new ways to love it. Or these Pop Bubble toys are always a win.
Noise: Something that makes noise! I’ve been keeping a maraca I got in Mexico in the car and sometimes that is the perfect entertainment for my boy. We also STILL use this colorful ferris wheel toy sometimes!
Lights: Right now, we have a light up ball in the car and my toddler has learned that if he hits it, it lights up! It has been fun for him to look at and enjoy.
Snacks! ALWAYS keep snacks with you! I have an emergency pack of these suckers in my center console, but I try to always grab a few snacks for our diaper bag when we leave the house. Some days it’s a pack of fruit snacks, and other days it’s perfectly sliced apples 😉 Either way, we always have something with us! THIS snack cup is our go to. And we take THIS snack spinner when we will be gone for longer periods of time!
Water. Nothing is worse than being stuck in the car and your little is thirsty!! Don’t forget to pack water. These are our all time favorite sippy cups!
Favorite Toy: As soon as my boy got into a “favorite toy” stage, I would let him bring that in the car with us. It’s phased between Lightning McQueen, Buzz Lightyear, Minions, and more. I have to say, once he hit this phase, car rides became a million times easier! His imagination keeps him busy!
Music: Never underestimate the power of their favorite songs!! I have officially hit it he point in my life where I have no idea what songs are cool anymore because every time we get in the car, it’s kid music! That or Marco Polo 😉 P.S. Our absolute favorite thing right now is the Cocomelon Story Time Podcast on Spotify. They come out with a new story every Monday and my little boy has LOVED listening to them (over and over and over 🤪) for the past two months!
