Carseat NIGHTMARE

UMichGirl · June 2013

DS is almost 1 year old. He HATES HATES HATES being put in his carseat. He does have reflux but is on meds and his GI nurse was actually talking about weaning him off this summer anyway. He clings to me as soon as he realizes that's what I'm going to do and literally screams and cries and writhes around in his carseat the whole time we are driving. I am going INSANE. I feel like I'm home bound because it's easier and less stressful than wrestling him in the seat and listening to him go crazy. This happens whether we are on a five minute drive or a two hour drive. We've tried toys, music, rolling his window down, white noise, all sounds off, ignoring him, sitting next to him...it DOES NOT MATTER. I am so frustrated and don't know what to do. Today's 15 minute drive to and from the store launched him into meltdown mode until he went down for his nap. I'm at a loss. We've tried a different carseat too that friends let us borrow. It was better for a bit..but now we're back to screaming. Help!

27JB · June 2013

It could maybe be that his back is out of whack! Have you heard of the chiropractor for babies? I have heard similar stories about babies, specifically with carseats, and having a chiro adjustment making a big difference!! I took my baby when she has a few months just to be checked out..might be worth researching at least! Good luck!!

Caseyk1127 · June 2013

DS was like that until we faced forward. The pedi think maybe he was getting car sick backwards.

DD did it until I moved her out of the infant seat and into a convertible seat. The fabric on the infant seat was just too warm or her. Noe I even have to point her overhead AC vent right at her and its only in the 80's here right now.

gimmietimmies · June 2013

Can you join car seats for the Littles in Facebook? There are lots of reflux mommas on there that may know how to help. He may need a more upright angle if your car seat allows for it.

BlueJewelM · June 2013

Meh, I'll get flamed but we went through the screaming until throwing up phase with DS around 18 months and flipped him forward facing and it miraculously stopped.

I would have liked to keep him RF until 2 but got tired of cleaning up vomit in the car seat's crevices and washing the cover.

...cue the "I'd rather my baby throw up all over than die in an accident" brigade...

But yes, please look for any other tips and advice before thinking about flipping him around. I was comfortable doing it around 18 months...but near the year mark would make me nervous. GL!

designer303 · June 2013

BlueJewelM:

Meh, I'll get flamed but we went through the screaming until throwing up phase with DS around 18 months and flipped him forward facing and it miraculously stopped.

I would have liked to keep him RF until 2 but got tired of cleaning up vomit in the car seat's crevices and washing the cover.

...cue the "I'd rather my baby throw up all over than die in an accident" brigade...

But yes, please look for any other tips and advice before thinking about flipping him around. I was comfortable doing it around 18 months...but near the year mark would make me nervous. GL!

No flaming here- we ended up doing the same- so I guess we can go down together. FF made a world of difference for us and PA state law is only one and DS has been well over the weight requirement for about 6 months.

ebp913 · June 2013

gimmietimmies:
Can you join car seats for the Littles in Facebook? There are lots of reflux mommas on there that may know how to help. He may need a more upright angle if your car seat allows for it.

This and what seats have you tried?

julesg86 · June 2013

Unfortunately I don't have any good advice, but to say that you are not alone. My daughter has/had severe reflux and also screams her head off in the car. However, I don't think hers has to do with reflux, but rather that she hates, hates, hates to be tied down under the seatbelt. We even did a trial with the seat forward facing and it didn't make a difference whatsoever.

Every once in awhile I will give her a big whole wheat cracker to nibble on and that keeps her occupied for 2 min.

I am in the same boat though, I just would rather stay home, because it it so incredibly stressful to get in the car with her. I have been driven to tears before because of her screaming in the car. Best of luck to you and please let me know if you find any tips that really work.

UMichGirl · June 2013

ebp913:
gimmietimmies:
Can you join car seats for the Littles in Facebook? There are lots of reflux mommas on there that may know how to help. He may need a more upright angle if your car seat allows for it.
This and what seats have you tried?

We started with the Britax Advocate, and now are using the Evenflo Symphony.

UMichGirl · June 2013

julesg86:
Unfortunately I don't have any good advice, but to say that you are not alone. My daughter has/had severe reflux and also screams her head off in the car. However, I don't think hers has to do with reflux, but rather that she hates, hates, hates to be tied down under the seatbelt. We even did a trial with the seat forward facing and it didn't make a difference whatsoever.
Every once in awhile I will give her a big whole wheat cracker to nibble on and that keeps her occupied for 2 min.
I am in the same boat though, I just would rather stay home, because it it so incredibly stressful to get in the car with her. I have been driven to tears before because of her screaming in the car. Best of luck to you and please let me know if you find any tips that really work.

I'm glad to know I'm not alone but at the same time, that really sucks!! :-( If you don't mind me asking, what medication/dosage is your daughter on for reflux? DS is somewhere in the mid-20 pound range (his 1 year appt isn't until the first week of July) and he takes 1.5 prevacid tabs per day...a full one in the morning and half of one in the evening. I should also add to this post that DS is incredibly fussy on a daily basis anyway. Every day DH and I are trying to figure out what's wrong with him NOW...he cries multiple times throughout the day, big real tears, and is just super sensitive and fussy. But going to put him in the carseat? All hell breaks loose! :-(

julesg86 · June 2013

She is on Prevacid 20 mg, 1x/day. Although we are going to start weening her off of it soon. She is 21 lbs. I am so sorry about the fussiness! We have days like that and it's just incredibly difficult and stressful. I hope it gets better soon!!!

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