Car seat drama

pixiedustcan · February 2013

Our almost 7-month old HATES the car seat. From the moment we put her in there until we take her out she scream, cries, tries to wedge her body backwards in an effort to get out.

We changed her to the big girl rear facing seat at about 3-1/2 months hoping that would help the issue, it seems to have helped slightly in that we can distract her when she gets into her panic. But she still despises the car. She is fine the second you take her out. It is to crazy.

We can rarely drive alone with her because we have to pull over and calm her down every mile or so, a 10 minute drive will be 20 minutes. My husband and I or whoever we are with one of us is in the backseat to keep her clam. We use toys, the iPad, music, her lovey, anything we can think of.

My drive to my Mom's house where she is cared for while at work just went from 7 minutes to almost a half hour without the stopping to calm her, so needless to say the morning and afternoon rides home are wearing on me. I find myself having anexity over getting in the car because I hate seeing her so upset.

Anyone else have car seat drama?

We have mentioned it to the pedi since she was about 2-months old... no help. Friends all say their kids love the car and sleep the entire time. Huh?

kpearse99 · February 2013

We were going through this for a little bit about a month ago and I mentioned it to my pedi and they said to keep trying things for a few more weeks and if it were still bad or got worse to call back and we would re-evaluate. I tried some new positioning things, like raising the straps up and adding the strap cushions and we have been fine ever since. We are switching to he big boy carseat this week cause he's too heavy to carry in the infant carrier anymore!

I would call back to the pedi.... if you've tried everything and it's been going on for this long, maybe she gets car sick?? Or her ears bother her in the car? I'm not sure how you even discover those, but my Aunt had this with her youngest and when they switched to a bigger car, her DD was fine.

Have you tried her in a different car? Say if your's is a 4 door, have you tried an SUV or a van of some sorts? Does she react that way in all cars?? I would def. call the dr. again... HTH

pixiedustcan · February 2013

Yep. All cars. Maybe she gets car sick is something we mentioned but they said probably not. We have tried no coat, no hat, no shoes, no socks, loose straps.

We give her a bubba with some water if shes not due for her formula bubba when she works herself into a tizzy to settle her, that is about the only thing that soothes her. The iPad was working for a while.. but now she just throws everything while she flips, the toys, the iPad, blankets, binkie... some days I want to record her and show the pedi because it cannot be normal. You said ears, like ears popping? We have an SUV our primary family vehicle, my husband has a 4-door, she has been in as well as my sisters regualr sedans, my mother has a van, same thing. I wonder if I cracka few windows.. if her ears are popping if that helps? Car sick so tiny, how would you fix that? Do you think rear facing is the issue?

ASmallWonder · February 2013

pixiedustcan:
Yep. All cars. Maybe she gets car sick is something we mentioned but they said probably not. We have tried no coat, no hat, no shoes, no socks, loose straps.
We give her a bubba with some water if shes not due for her formula bubba when she works herself into a tizzy to settle her, that is about the only thing that soothes her. The iPad was working for a while.. but now she just throws everything while she flips, the toys, the iPad, blankets, binkie... some days I want to record her and show the pedi because it cannot be normal. You said ears, like ears popping? We have an SUV our primary family vehicle, my husband has a 4-door, she has been in as well as my sisters regualr sedans, my mother has a van, same thing. I wonder if I cracka few windows.. if her ears are popping if that helps? Car sick so tiny, how would you fix that? Do you think rear facing is the issue?

Unfortunately, even if rear facing is the issue, there's nothing to be done about it since she has to stay rear facing until at least 1 year and 20 pounds at a very minimum. Some kids just hate the car seat and it sucks but is something you just have to ignore :-/

missmodeste · February 2013

My almost 8 month old hates both her carseat AND the stroller.

I'm the mom pushing a double stroller with an empty seat and my DD in the ergo.

We've switched to a convertible to no avail. I also have to ride in the back for a more peaceful car ride.

Sigh, one day they will grow out of it. You are not alone!

FemShep · February 2013

My LO hated the car seat until she was 6 months old, so I sympathize. She seemed to get much better as the weather cooled off; make sure your LO isn't overheating. We also turn on static on the radio when she's particularly fussy, and that helps. We've tried moving to her convertible car seat (still rear-facing), and it doesn't matter; she's also equally fussy in both cars.

OP, my best advice to you is not to stop to comfort LO on short drives. Turning 7 minutes of agony into 30 minutes of agony doesn't seem helpful, and doesn't seem to give LO time to settle down. I know my LO will start off fussy and often calm down 5-10 minutes into the ride. The first few minutes are hell, but we simply can't stop every mile. Also, please make sure you're using your car seat correctly. Loose straps can cause life-threatening injuries, and as bad as it is to hear LO cry, serious injuries would be way worse.

Nicole7697 · February 2013

pixiedustcan:
Our almost 7-month old HATES the car seat. From the moment we put her in there until we take her out she scream, cries, tries to wedge her body backwards in an effort to get out.
We changed her to the big girl rear facing seat at about 3-1/2 months hoping that would help the issue, it seems to have helped slightly in that we can distract her when she gets into her panic. But she still despises the car. She is fine the second you take her out. It is to crazy.
We can rarely drive alone with her because we have to pull over and calm her down every mile or so, a 10 minute drive will be 20 minutes. My husband and I or whoever we are with one of us is in the backseat to keep her clam. We use toys, the iPad, music, her lovey, anything we can think of.
My drive to my Mom's house where she is cared for while at work just went from 7 minutes to almost a half hour without the stopping to calm her, so needless to say the morning and afternoon rides home are wearing on me. I find myself having anexity over getting in the car because I hate seeing her so upset.
Anyone else have car seat drama?
We have mentioned it to the pedi since she was about 2-months old... no help. Friends all say their kids love the car and sleep the entire time.

You're not alone!!!! He doesn't scream the entire time in the car but fusses a lot!! He cannot stand being in his car seat!! The only thing I've found to work is cracking the back windows so it kind of sounds like a noise machine or a fan. That helps him calm down sometimes! Oh, and if I'm singing lullabies to him! Yes, I've sang you are my sunshine, twinkle twinkly little star, rock a by baby lots and lots of times! Lol! I'm going to switch to a big boy car seat because he very heavy in his carrier! (He's 6 months, 20 lbs, 28 inches long) so maybe he's not comfortable!! Good luck to you!! I feel your pain!

kpearse99 · February 2013

pixiedustcan:

Yep. All cars. Maybe she gets car sick is something we mentioned but they said probably not. We have tried no coat, no hat, no shoes, no socks, loose straps.

We give her a bubba with some water if shes not due for her formula bubba when she works herself into a tizzy to settle her, that is about the only thing that soothes her. The iPad was working for a while.. but now she just throws everything while she flips, the toys, the iPad, blankets, binkie... some days I want to record her and show the pedi because it cannot be normal. You said ears, like ears popping? We have an SUV our primary family vehicle, my husband has a 4-door, she has been in as well as my sisters regualr sedans, my mother has a van, same thing. I wonder if I cracka few windows.. if her ears are popping if that helps? Car sick so tiny, how would you fix that? Do you think rear facing is the issue?

Maybe her ears need to pop, it can't hurt to try the windows cracked.... if anything maybe it would provide a distracting noise! I agree with what others were saying, and to not pull over. I know it's hard, and stressful... we went 40 minutes once with non-stop screaming and I was ready to scream myself.

Have you tried music? DS loves classical music, so I play that in the car and it helps.

And lastly, sadly sometimes kids just don't like the car until they are facing forward... and you know that can't happen until at least one year old.... I'm sorry you are going through this

pixiedustcan · February 2013

Thanks for all the feedback. I will just continue to hope she settles one day.

I have gotten tougher skin and go as long as I can without pulling over but when shes screaming until she gags I have to pull over sit with her and calm her down. Otherwise I get myself worked up and then it's just a ugly situation.

As for the straps, we never drive with loose straps to the one who commented on that, we sit in the driveway and try everything before we go. We have even brought the seat in the house and let her sit in it to get more comfortbale but that is a fail.

Babies, wish they could speak and just say hey Mom change this and I will be fine...

Thanks again!

MrsH11710 · February 2013

You are definitely not alone! DD has always hated the car seat (I think she hates to be strapped in in general, but the car seat is the worst). She will go through phases where she will tolerate a short trip, but those are few and far between. Sometimes I sing to her, getting louder as she starts to get crankier. Sometimes the music helps. And when there is 2+ people in the car then I always sit in back with her (and that only helps sometimes). All in all, she just hates the car seat.

About the car sickness...do you have a mirror on the head rest that allows you to see her? If so, I heard that this can cause car sickness. Maybe you can try to take it off for a couple of car trips and see if it helps.

pixiedustcan · February 2013

Yes, I have the mirror, more for me to see her but maybe I will try. She was like this long before we had that mirror, but I will try anything! Thanks.

binklesss · February 2013

The 2 things that have worked with my DD when she gets fussy (although not nearly as bad as yours...poor thing) are rap music (weird, because we never listen to it) or singing her favorite song (wheels on the bus).

Asquared · February 2013

my oldest did this for a terrible 2.5 years before we finally figured out she was chronically constipated- how's your dd's poop? If it's hard at all, ask your doc about an okay dose of miralax OR start giving her a couple ounces of straight pear juice a day to see if that helps. We also attached a projecting toy (normally attaches to the crib) on the headrest and that helped too.

If neither helps, I can just say I feel your pain and I know how horrible it feels- like you'll be trapped at home forever! It'll get better, but see if her poop could be part of the problem.

anonsouthernbell · February 2013

My son was the same way off and on until he was about 18 months or so and then he outgrew it. It is an awful thing to experience for sure. When he got a little older it helped for me to have a constantly rotating arsenal of toys and books specifically reserved for the car. I used to also speed up to be next to trucks, construction equipment as he enjoyed that - I'm sure the truck drivers thought I was nuts because I would promptly slow down when his window was next to them. He remained rear facing until a little over three. He just had to outgrow his aversion to the car. Or icons to think about it it coincided with our finally figuring out his food intolerance triggers (dairy & gluten), but honestly I think it was bc he had to outgrow it.

pixiedustcan · February 2013

Her popp is fine. She actually has a milk interlorance, which we used to think was the root of the issue when it finally went diagnosed but the change her diet never helped the matter. LOL but thank you!

brennarobbie · February 2013

FemShep:
My LO hated the car seat until she was 6 months old, so I sympathize. She seemed to get much better as the weather cooled off; make sure your LO isn't overheating. We also turn on static on the radio when she's particularly fussy, and that helps. We've tried moving to her convertible car seat (still rear-facing), and it doesn't matter; she's also equally fussy in both cars.
OP, my best advice to you is not to stop to comfort LO on short drives. Turning 7 minutes of agony into 30 minutes of agony doesn't seem helpful, and doesn't seem to give LO time to settle down. I know my LO will start off fussy and often calm down 5-10 minutes into the ride. The first few minutes are hell, but we simply can't stop every mile. Also, please make sure you're using your car seat correctly. Loose straps can cause life-threatening injuries, and as bad as it is to hear LO cry, serious injuries would be way worse.

All of this! We used to turn lullaby music up almost loud enough to drown him out, and he would stop.

We also were given one of those "sleep sheep" car seat sound machines, and that has been the charm! He loves it and goes to sleep most of the time with it!

I agree that you don't want to turn a 7 minute ride into a 30 minute ride if the baby's still going to be upset. Just get to where you have to go. Pray while you're driving - that always helps me when little man's upset. If you know that the baby is fed and dry, there's really nothing else you can do in the car. (

I really feel for you, girl - we went thru this for many many months. It's finally stopped. There is an end and you can make it!

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