Car Rides

slmayer1981

What do you do when you're driving alone and LO is screaming in the backseat? We went to visit my parents today (about an hr drive) and before I left I made sure she was fed and changed. The ride there wasn't bad because it was during nap time but the ride home was hell. She screamed most of the way. She screamed so hard she was coughing and choking. I pulled over twice to tend to her. Of course nothing was wrong, she just wanted to get out of the car seat (not an option). So in the future, should I just let her cry? Does anyone else pull over every time the baby cries?

Temp937723687505543

I don't pull over every time DS cries.  If he's hungry or needs to be changed, then I'll pull over and take of those needs.  Sometimes he just didn't want to be in his car seat and there was nothing to be done about it.  Thank goodness he got over that.

MrsT2008

RedheadBaker:

If it's feasible to pull over, I will, and put a pacifier in his mouth. 

If it's not, there's not much I can do.  

this.  i also try to feed her before any drive over 30 min, just to make sure she is full and it increases the chance of het falling asleep 

EveryNameIWantIsTaken

I always make sure she's fed or changed before we go anywhere so I know if this happens, nothing is really wrong other than she hates the car.  DS hated it too, and this time around the screaming isn't quite as cringe worthy.  Probably because I'm used to it by now.  I hate hearing her cry, but there's nothing I can do and like you said, getting out of the car seat is not an option.  I haven't once pulled over yet because I know her needs have been taken care of, or she can wait the two more minutes until we get home for whatever we need.  If we were on a long drive and she actually needed something, then yes I would pull over but that hasn't happened yet.

Linds1224

My son HATED the car/seat .. he'd cry bloody murder everytime we'd go out to the point where I'd break down and start crying myself. I tried music and found out that he loved Raffi Baby Beluga .. so it was on constant repeat everytime we were in the car. Maybe try music and see if she likes anything specific that will calm her down.. even a white noise sound that will lull her to sleep. Good luck .. I know how frusterating it is.

erbear

Both of my girls have been car seat screamers. Kate stopped doing it around 7 months; Caroline is still going strong at nearly a year. I just turn up the music and keep driving. I'm not going to take them out of their seats, and stopping every 3 seconds isn't going to solve the problem.

BeckyTheEngineer

So far DD2 has not done this, but DD1 (now 18 months) is generally not a fan of the car.  I wouldn't stop (except on long trips), but I would sing and talk to her.  On Top Of Spaghetti got us through many, many trips with greatly reduced crying.