Today's first time parenting tip - Plan ahead if you're taking a trip longer than an hour or so with your baby

Unless you've got a very well-behaved infant, car rides can quickly turn from a pleasant, relaxing ride into a screaming journey into Hades. Some babies fall asleep in the car and will stay that way until you get them out. Some don't like being restrained. Regardless, you should be prepared. Here are some tips you can use next time you've got to drive somewhere.

• Try to travel at night. If you leave right after your baby goes to bed, chances are they'll sleep the whole way. Of course, this doesn't work if you're not spending the night


• Leave extra time to get where you're going. You never know if you have to stop to feed him or change a diaper.
  
• Bring a toy, their favorite blanket and a book. This was you've got a variety of attention getters if they do get fussy


• Bring music and your singing voice. Our son usually calms down when he hears music or our singing


• A bottle of breastmilk, formula or juice. Most of the time, when our son gets fussy, it's because he's hungry.


• A change of diapers. Somehow, the smell of bowel movements does not make a ride with a screaming baby any more enjoyable.


• A change of clothes in case he spills his food or he has a diaper blowout


• Dress your baby to be comfortable at room temperature. If you're going to be in the car for a while, don't have him all bundled up as if it's 0 degrees out. Take off a layer once he gets into the car.

See all the first time parenting tips