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Carseat Battle

aeh72aeh72 member
in Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
Putting DS in his carseat has suddenly become a freakin' nightmare.  It started when we were on vacation so I'm not sure if it stemmed from 6+ hours in a car or if this new independence/willful? streak was coming anyway.  He's always whined off and on about being put in the seat but now, he will try to climb out of the seat before I can buckle him in and he thinks it is hi-la-ri-ous when he makes it over the seat into the empty spot in the seat next to his carseat.  It is amazing to me how much strength is in his little body - I'm worried I'm going to hurt him trying to keep him from climbing out.  I've tried distracting him with toys or pacifiers - all to moderate success - but he seems to be on to me and nothing has worked the past few times other than waiting it out and, frankly, holding him in as much as I can without hurting him.  I dread going places knowing I have to fight this battle.  Help!! I could really use some tips - or at least some moral support knowing that, like other phases, this too shall pass!  Thanks!
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Re: Carseat Battle

  • LEIGHLOVE09LEIGHLOVE09 member
    edited October 2013
    Our DD does it too! Not all the time but it's happened 3 times to me and once to my husband. It's horrible. Ours doesn't think it's funny she's screaming bloody murder to get out and will kick, turn over and slide down to the ground. It takes like 10 min at least for me to get her in when she's like this. I usually have to use a little force to hold her in place and buckle as fast as I can. I try to distract with toys too. A new toy will usually work but nothing old. I feel for you. I dread the days she battles me :(

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  • traveltheworldtraveltheworld member
    DS does this almost every time. I don't quite have the strength to keep him in without worrying that i'm hurting him, so usually DH does it. But when I'm alone with DS, there were time when I stood there and cried out of pure frustration - and I'm not a crier. I've tried everything, but he is stubborn. I always end up just waiting for 10 - 15 minutes until his guard is down, then I quickly buckle him. I find that if I can get the chest buckle on, he knows he has lost the battle and would stop struggling at that point.

    It has happened a tiny bit less over the past week, so maybe there is end in sight. Good luck! You are definitely not alone.
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  • bullybuttbullybutt member
    My DS went through this phase too.  It's not everytime, but it does happen and he IS strong!! He arches his back and twists to the side and is screaming for ANYONE to save him.  I have to hold him down or else, he will climb away and we have to do it all over again.  Once I get him buckled in, he fusses for a while, but then settles down.  The toy or book is a good distraction and will usually suffice to keep him in his seat.  Good luck!

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  • ebp913ebp913 member
    Another thing you could start doing now is talking to your LO about how important it is to be safe in the car and use their straps.  I started doing this with my DD when she was doing a similar thing and it's taken some time but she now gets in the car and says straps on and is ready to go.  Does the same thing in the stroller too.  Might not be an immediate solution but long term it could help. 
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  • aeh72aeh72 member

    Thanks everyone! I guess there's something to be said for just knowing you aren't alone! :)  Off to pack up my bag of tricks and goodies to pull from before I go pick up DS at daycare!

     
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  • henrytviiihenrytviii member
    I make sure the straps are loose and pulled off to the side and the bottom buckle part is lying properly toward the front of the car after we exit the seat.  Basically I make sure the seat is prepped and ready for a speed entry for our next trip.
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  • artichokenartichoken member
    oh man. I know that feeling. My 14 month old did that with his graco size for me70 (or whatever that stupid thing is called) The head foam broke so i just bit the bullet and got a new one. the chicco nextfit. OMG he NEVER EVER complains about getting in now! I did notice in the graco there was NO padding for his butt. at. all. no wonder he was super uncomfortable. the chicco has awesome amount of padding and he seems much more happier now. 


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  • MrsH11710MrsH11710 member

    I normally let DD roam around the car for a few minutes before putting her in her carseat. I let her climb in and out of her carseat and sit on the seat next to it. She will also look out the window and play with the buckles. She's usually calm after a few minutes and has gotten the need to explore out of her system and she's much easier to control while strapping her in.

    It doesn't work every time, but it's definitely worth a try!


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