Car seat = end of the world

krispy83 · August 2013

So in the past few weeks, DS has started FREAKING OUT when we put him in his car seat to go anywhere. Screaming, arching his back, it's honestly like he's being tortured. Does anyone else's LO do this? How do you manage it? I hate having to basically muscle him into the seat, but I don't really have any other choice. Toys, books and other distractions don't work. There have been times where I've stood in the grocery store parking lot for 5-10 minutes waiting for him to settle down and then just kinda forcing him into the seat (which, again, I hate to do, but it's not like I have other options!) Any tips for making this less unpleasant?

eyenigh · August 2013

It doesn't happen every time for us but it definitely happens pretty regularly now. I think it's because he's always so busy and on-the-go that the carseat really cramps his style now, you know? He hates having to stop having a good time! I try and work him up to it by getting him in the car, letting him climb onto the seat, sometimes I pull out a book and put him on my lap to read it to him and as soon as I'm done, I do a quick lift into the seat before he can fight me too much. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I also do a lot of muscling, too, when I have to but I'm always very calm about it and explain to him that we have to do this so he's safe. I know none of that is actually getting through but at least it helps maintain some semblance of calm. Once he's in the seat, he's pretty much fine. Sometimes it's almost hard not to laugh because I can't believe some of the moves he does to avoid the seat. One time he arched back and kicked off the seat so hard, he smacked into my husband's head, who was sitting in the seat in front of him. (Both were fine!)

cmsdouglas · August 2013

Every once in a while. Basically I just muscle her in and go. She usually calms down pretty quickly. Hopefully it's just a phase that passes quickly!

krispy83 · August 2013

@eyenigh, that is a really good point! I didn't think about the fact that once he's strapped in there, he can't do his normal running, climbing and exploring. The carseat definitely cramps his style! It's just so weird because he gets all excited to go "bye-bye", runs to the car, then all hell breaks loose when I try to actually put him in! I'll try to extend the transition a little by letting him play for a couple of minutes before strapping him in, that's a good idea! Thanks!

nunzchucks · August 2013

Or maybe this is the issue: https://crappypictures.com/toddler-hallucination-theory-car-seats/

lindslalala · August 2013

This happens pretty often with DS as well. I basically end up manhandling him into the seat. I'm sure it looks terrible to people passing by, but what other choice do we really have? Sometimes if I give him a couple of his big blocks he's distracted enough putting them together and taking them apart that he doesn't throw a fit over the car seat. It's hit or miss though.

[Deleted User] · August 2013

LilNunz1 said:

Or maybe this is the issue: https://crappypictures.com/toddler-hallucination-theory-car-seats/

HAHA! I am going to imagine this next time it happens to me. (OP, yes DS does the same thing. And I do the same thing.

).

krispy83 · August 2013

LilNunz1 said:

Or maybe this is the issue: https://crappypictures.com/toddler-hallucination-theory-car-seats/

HAHAHAHA oh my gosh, that is priceless. And a perfect explanation.

takmjs · August 2013

I've heard from another mom to tickle your kid's belly when they're doing the arch-your-back thing. It makes their back relax and sit in the seat correctly. Our daughter doesn't fight the car seat yet, but I'm sure that's coming. (She fights a lot of other things with the back arching.)

nunzchucks · August 2013

takmjs said:
I've heard from another mom to tickle your kid's belly when they're doing the arch-your-back thing. It makes their back relax and sit in the seat correctly. Our daughter doesn't fight the car seat yet, but I'm sure that's coming. (She fights a lot of other things with the back arching.)

Wow! Great tip!

krispy83 · August 2013

takmjs said:

I've heard from another mom to tickle your kid's belly when they're doing the arch-your-back thing. It makes their back relax and sit in the seat correctly. Our daughter doesn't fight the car seat yet, but I'm sure that's coming. (She fights a lot of other things with the back arching.)

Wow, that is great to know! Thanks!!!

eyenigh · August 2013

takmjs said:

I've heard from another mom to tickle your kid's belly when they're doing the arch-your-back thing. It makes their back relax and sit in the seat correctly. Our daughter doesn't fight the car seat yet, but I'm sure that's coming. (She fights a lot of other things with the back arching.)

I have tried that before and, though it worked, it also makes him kind of scrunch up and he slammed his head on the car seat wing on the way down. Just keep that in mind if you try the tickle method.

krispy83 · August 2013

eyenigh said:

takmjs said:

I've heard from another mom to tickle your kid's belly when they're doing the arch-your-back thing. It makes their back relax and sit in the seat correctly. Our daughter doesn't fight the car seat yet, but I'm sure that's coming. (She fights a lot of other things with the back arching.)

I have tried that before and, though it worked, it also makes him kind of scrunch up and he slammed his head on the car seat wing on the way down. Just keep that in mind if you try the tickle method.

I tried it this afternoon with no success.. evidently he was too annoyed to be tickled. But I'll keep trying it. Thanks for the warning!

eyenigh · August 2013

In the last few days, I've had a bit of success with encouraging him to get into the seat himself. I made a huge deal out of what a big boy he was and he was pretty impressed with himself. He hasn't been 100% consistent about wanting to do it himself every time but when he does, it's a happier experience for all of us.

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