Super fussy in car WWYD??

laurblum

So, LO is a pretty easy baby for the most part but the car is such a trouble spot for us. If absolutely all needs are completely met she does ok, but definitely doesn't like being alone in the back seat. And since she's rear facing she can't look around. I have a mirror in front of her but that only works for minutes at best. If there is even the slightest thing she could fuss about the car makes it a catastrophe. The other day I was alone with her on the highway and she basically made herself have a panic attack. When I finally got her out of the car seat she had soaked through her onesie with sweat. The thing literally felt like it came out of the washing machine. Tonight she started to have a tantrum but luckily I was in the back seat with her. We hit a traffic jam and all I could do was pull a cartoon up on my phone and let her watch. She calmed down completely. I'm wondering if it would help me to get one of those iPad holders so she could watch baby Einstein or something when she gets upset. I would try not to use it every time, but if she really likes it it could help me especially when I'm alone driving. What would you guys do? I don't want to addict her to tv or make her think we always need stimulation, but I also can't be stressed out every time we drive. Sometimes I have to pull over 3 or 4 times on 20min drives to calm her or put her pacifier back in.

gutsysneakers

Suggestions:

1) white noise
2) piano music
3) mirror that lights up and plays songs

Good luck. I've had a few instances where I'm alone in the car. It's the worst when she is meltdown mode.

thefussybunch

DD hates her car seat. And since it's a travel system, she hates her stroller as well. We just bought a convertable car seat this weekend to see if it helps. I think my DD dislikes the recline and being strapped in.

I'm going to buy a portable DVD player as well. We have a mirror with lights and music, but it's short lived. I'm willing to try anything at this point as the meltdowns are horrible.

Katzalia

I drove across town to an appt with a LC with LO totally hangry. The only thing that worked was singing to her. I can't stay on key to save my life, but she seems to really like hearing my voice. Talking to her? No help at all.

Junebug060609

I'd really recommend avoiding things that strap on and hang in the car. Potential projectiles in an accident.

For my son, switching him to a convertible seat really helped. He liked being able to see things.

bossyferg

We had the same problem with DD and it really sucked but she outgrew it around 1 yr old. To make our trips a bit more manageable she needed to be on the cool side because she was a hot baby and would sweat so I would layer up driving and she would be in a tshirt and she was comfortable. The vents to heat/cool as well in the backseat so I would have to keep the air on full blast in the warm months and heat low in winter.
She was also distracted for short periods of tome by my singing but after 2 hours my throat would hurt so I recommend downloading some kids nursery rhymes or cd.
I would also try to time trips in the car with her nap time so that she would fall asleep. Having a full belly sometimes helps as well if they don't get carsick. Hope you find a solution soon. Its is such a terrible feeling when your child is screaming and stuck in the vehicle unable to take them and hold them. GL

caballo718

Ugh feel your pain. DS seems to have a meltdown in the car all the time. He's ok when someone is in the back with him. We are driving down to Outer Banks this weekend. It's going to be a llongggggg 9 hours. I'll be downloading lots of baby apps on the iPad.

usernewname

I find putting him in the car awake and alert is much better when tired. Less meltdowns. When he's tired he just gets mad because of red lights and such. He likes to look around and stare at one spot in the car.

bridetobe9132013

I honestly just let her cry when she cried in the car because I didnt want to get in the habit of stopping on the side of the road. If I knew she was hungry I would stop and feed her. It made me so sad to hear it. She is better now. She is content if we are moving but cries when we stop. She wants me to run red lights and stop signs

leahdipert

My little guy is usually good in the car but Saturday he had a melt down. So we tried cracking the window open and boom he was asleep. Worth a try.

boymum2014

My son is the exact same way. I bought extra 'stroller' toys that go on his car seat handle-but long dangly ones he can reach & it keeps him much more entertained.