When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

Today is so beautiful out and I really don't want to stay home.

Julia is almost 7 weeks and i've drove to my parents house about 20 minutes away alone in the car with her once. Luckily she was asleep and didn't cry.

A part of me is so nervous to drive my myself with her - god forbid i get into an accident or she starts wailing the whole way there and i can't see her.

Just wondering how old your newborn was before you put her/him in the car and drove off? Maybe it will give me some courage - I really want to plan to do something today.

Re: When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

I drove with the baby right away - just locally (within 20 minutes or so).

Re: When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

I had a c-section so I couldn't drive for like 6 weeks, I finally started to take Julia for short drives to like my moms house at like 8 weeks. I would say take her out, even for a short drive somewhere it would be good for the both of you!

Re: When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

I also drove right away--to my parents house and inlaws which was roughly 20 minutes and 40 minutes away.

I highly recommend the mirror that you put on the back seat so you can see your baby. It makes me feel so much more secure!

Re: When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

Re: When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

I highly recommend the mirror that you put on the back seat so you can see your baby. It makes me feel so much more secure!
I never heard of this. I am going to look into it when i go to Babies R Us - it will help put my mind at ease!!

Thanks Ladies!

Re: When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

Re: When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

I started driving right away locally I had one of those mirrors they are great to have and def. put mind at ease

Re: When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

I couldn't drive for six weeks (C-section), but after that, I immediately started taking him out in the car with me.

Re: When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

I took DS to his 2 week pediatrician appointment by myself. Since then I've only taken him out one other time by myself. I would love to take him out more, but I don't know where to take him and it's still hard for me to schedule things around his feedings since I don't really feel comfortable BF in public.

Re: When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

I just started driving with my DD at 8 weeks old- definitely nerve wracking the 1st time but it gets easier and better each time.

Re: When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

I had a c/s too, but never heard of the 6 weeks thing...I was told two weeks

Anyway, the first time I drove with her was to the doctor's visit to get off the steri-strips which was when she was about 3 weeks. I was freaking out! Not so much about getting into an accident, but what if she were to be screaming the whole way--she always screamed with my DH driving. Well, she was fine! Get on out there!!!

The mirror suggestion is good. I never did end up getting one, but I like the idea.

Re: When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

I think I drove her at 4 weeks.

I have a mirror, I love it.

Re: When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

Posted by Eireann

I had a c/s too, but never heard of the 6 weeks thing...I was told two weeks

Anyway, the first time I drove with her was to the doctor's visit to get off the steri-strips which was when she was about 3 weeks. I was freaking out! Not so much about getting into an accident, but what if she were to be screaming the whole way--she always screamed with my DH driving. Well, she was fine! Get on out there!!!

The mirror suggestion is good. I never did end up getting one, but I like the idea.

Message edited 4/11/2006 9:42:22 PM.

Re: When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

I had a c/s too and waited only 2 wks - that was b/c of the meds I was taking

The mirror was a HUGE help for that first year, until they turn around in the carseat.

Re: When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

I had a c-section and at my two week check-up, I was given the ok to drive. I think I first drove alone with my son when he was 3 weeks old. It was scary in case he started crying, but other than that it was fine.

Re: When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

My son is almost 5 mos old and I have yet to drive with him by myself There's always someone around to come along with us.

Message edited 4/11/2006 8:43:43 PM.

Re: When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

I had a c-section & I drove 15 days after I gave birth

Re: When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

I drove alone maybe two weeks after he was born.

I have one of those mirrors, which is comforting to an extent. My advice is to plan your driving around her feedings. I made the mistake once of leaving come close to Nate's feeding and he let me know it was time. I was so frazzled by his crying that I got off the highway to feed him. I keep the diaper bag up front with me and I always have extra pacifers in case it falls out. After a few times, you won't be nervous.

Re: When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

Another c-section here and was told to wait 3 weeks. I was lucky that DH was home those 3 weeks with me. I think the first time I drove alone was when I got the ok from my OB at 3 weeks.

Re: When did you start driving alone with your newborn in the car?

When he was about 10 days old and Dh had to go back to work and our family stopped visiting.