Car seat...Crying baby...HELP!!

Jodie - posted on 06/01/2009

Hey thankyou everybody for your advice it is really helpful...especially the advice about the feed and sleep. i do feed her before she goes to sleep and this may b the reason she wont go to sleep because i always rock her and feed her to sleep. Also the mirror in the car i do have one of them and it does keep her occupied for a little bit. Also i have just brought a shade for the rear window and this doesnt help. And yes i have thought thst she does get car sick and i may actually thake her to the doctors and get it checked. I travel on Friday so i will let you all know how we go. Thankyou so much for your help. Jodie

Christelle - posted on 05/24/2009

Shades a great idea - the static ones work great. My kids started to tear it off later as they got older, but then I discovered the best thing since disposable nappies...WINDOWSOX - it slips snugly over the car window and you get it in sizes specifically for you model car. Provides shade, keep the car cool, add extra security as you can't easily see inside, and you can still rol the window down. Find it on the internet, just google "Windowsox". The brand name might be changing now, got an email about changing to "Vehiclesox" - the latest you can also slip over the back window in some way. For us in hot sunny climates it is a Godsend.

(I'm not an agent...just onto my third pair!)

Candace - posted on 05/24/2009

The advice about window shades is a good idea. Get the kind that are just a static cling sheet. The kind with the bar and the shade that pulls down can fall and hit her while you're driving and can became very dangerous projectiles if (God forbid) you are in an accident. Let us know if any of this works! Good luck!

Priscilla - posted on 05/23/2009

I recommend to put a mirror in the back so she can see herself, stopping a few times, taking her out of her car seat, feeding her, and walk her around. Maybe even when you put her back in her car seat, walk her around some more, then buckle her up and ride. Also you can get toys that strap on to the handle of the car seat and hang down in front of her. It'll give her something to focus on and look at. I'm only suggesting these things because that's what worked for us................ and we've traveled SO MANY times since my son was born. He's 7 months now. These few things worked for us and he now loves to ride. He's always quite and usually falls asleep. He lets us know when he's tired and needs to stop for a break from that car seat; and we don't mind at all. I rather stop for a break than stress him....... not to mention stress can cause an infant to have colic, and you know that last for weeks or even months........ NOT SO PLEASANT!!!!! Anyhow, I hope I was helpful and that you find something that works for you. Have a safe and fun trip.

Melissa - posted on 05/23/2009

that was such a hard stage for me...hearing not crying but screaming basically the whole car ride, the most being about 40-50minutes. i know the straps weren't too tight, i think he just didn't like being strapped in. eventually, the crying/screaming lessened and then stopped. that took about 3 or 4 months. just know that eventually, this stage will pass. :)

Amelia - posted on 05/23/2009

Hi! I know it's hard to hear your baby crying. But maybe if you put him in the seat in the house and sit in front of him and talk to him maybe he'll be more comfortable. Try music and toys. That might help. But be calm because he still new and he has to learn detactment just like you.

Christelle - posted on 05/22/2009

Hi all - I know my front-facing advise is illegal in the US, think UK and Europe as well? Here in RSA I don't think it's even law to put your child in a car seat, just advised at this stage unfortunately. Still, I believe that with a 5pt harnass in an approved carseat/capsule, the baby is safe enough. Willing to take that chance and be able to concentrate on driving. I'm horrified to see parents and grandparents driving around with their kids standing up on the front seat etc - that's the reality here..

Sandra - posted on 05/22/2009

Hi Jodie
I would check the strap maybe they are to tight you should be able to put two fingers in no more or less. Also make sure the position of seat is the right way. I would also talk with your doctor because that abit long for her to cry. Do you have a place that checks car seat out? Because a lot of the time they are placed in wrong. Make sure she isn't to hot also. He doesn't need to wear a jacket and this time of year lightly dress the better you can always place receiving blanket on her legs if she get cold.
If this all fails try placing on her car seat one of those music things made for car seat then she can listen to music and some have toys on them. If this fail buy your self a tape of white noise and play it until she is calm.
If all this fails maybe ask your doctor about baby gravel or grip water because some children get car sick . This doesn't mean they throw up. Their are many other systems.She might even have gas try her in the house in the seat see what she does. Or one of those baby rocker seats if your have one.
But other wise I have no other suggestion. I hope some of this help.
Please do not give any medication with out talking with doctor first. She is only 10 weeks old. I am just a mom of two boys not sure if any of this will help. But I hope some of it does. Also Make sure no sun is in her eyes.Their are shades for back windows.
Sandra

Candace - posted on 05/22/2009

Have you talked to your pediatrician about it? They might also have some advice. I would have someone sit in the back with her so she has some one to look at and play with. If she will take a bottle try feeding while the car is in motion. If all else fails try some baby motrin for her and some patience-she can't scream the whole four hour (I hope). My 1 year old just switched to a seat that doesn't recline as much as his old on and he doesn't like it but two weeks later he's fussing less. If she isn't in the car a lot maybe she just needs to get use to it. Best of Luck!

Stefanie - posted on 05/22/2009

Quoting Christelle:

My son also actively disliked it, would scream for 30 min without end. As he was a very big baby (4.6 kg at birth) I switched him from 'n rear-facing baby-seat to a front facing baby-cum-toddler seat that was also a bit more upright, and immediately the problem was solved. He probably either didn't like facing backwards or got carsick. My sis has a little mirror-thingey she hangs from the headest of the backseat, so her baby can look at himself. Don't know how well that works, he's only 6wks now!

Unless your child is 20lbs and 1yr of age it is against the law to have them front facing. Just an FYI...it may make him happy but it's dangerous!

Jennifer - posted on 05/22/2009

Probably not the best advise but when our daughter reached 20 lbs we turned the car seat around and the 10 months of crying stopped then and there. I guess she hated facing backwards. I know they don't recommend it but I couldn't go 5 minutes without totall screaming.

Christelle - posted on 05/22/2009

My son also actively disliked it, would scream for 30 min without end. As he was a very big baby (4.6 kg at birth) I switched him from 'n rear-facing baby-seat to a front facing baby-cum-toddler seat that was also a bit more upright, and immediately the problem was solved. He probably either didn't like facing backwards or got carsick. My sis has a little mirror-thingey she hangs from the headest of the backseat, so her baby can look at himself. Don't know how well that works, he's only 6wks now!

Stefanie - posted on 05/22/2009

My boys hated riding in the car! Screaming and crying the whole way...it didn't matter if it was just to the grocery store or a longer trip. I generally don't agree with the Ferber method but in the car it was all that would work. If my husband was with us I would let my son fuss for 5 min and then get in the back seat to settle him. Once he was calmed down I would go into the front seat again. If he started to cry again I would wait 10 min. Music on the radio would help me to concentrate on letting him cry. Back and forth I would go, increasing the time in between visits each time. If I was by myself, I would turn the radio up and sing, loudly, to him...it made me feel a little better too! He eventually realized he was going to sit safely in his seat whether he liked it or not. He's 9 mo now and doing awesome! He just plays or sleeps in the car. I hope this helps!

Stephanie - posted on 05/22/2009

my son was the same way i recommend trying to get a sheepskin cover for the car seat that she can sit on babies love them and my son loves his it makes the seat so comfortable for them and they are able to relax and sleep also i have found that some babies like the static noise from the radio just switch to a station that has static and no music and i have seen that work well too. i don't know if you can get a car seat sheep skin cover here in the states but you could probably have one shipped from NZ and shipping is usually free on most websites but try the static thing and see if it helps.

Bronwen - posted on 05/22/2009

I know it might be a bit of a pain, but for a while i sat in the back with my little one and played with her a bit and tried to entertain her for a while then moved back to my seat for a while and then when she got a little restless again i would move back..... as she got older i would just hold her hand a little and she would then fall asleep.... something like that might help. Also it might be something to consider... some children do get a bit car sick.... it might be worth trying a natural remedy to help them calm down a bit???!!! Good Luck! If all else fails... we tried ear plugs and that does work a bit... ha ha ha

Katie - posted on 05/22/2009

My baby did the same thing, we thought she might be uncomfortable so we got strap covers for her carseat and a more comfortable head support (came in a little set from Wal-mart) - seemed to help a little. But I found that, because she would only sleep when I fed her to sleep or when she was being held, when she got in the car she'd get sleepy from the noise and motion and want to be fed so she could sleep - but wouldn't take a bottle. So, I worked on making sure she was awake after feedings before I put her to sleep so she'd get used to falling asleep without being held/fed. Took ALOT of work (and I still feed her to sleep when I'm too exhausted for the struggle - which is most of the time, haha!), but it worked for us. Now she 'sings' herself to sleep when she gets in the car - but still gets cranky if it's a long drive and she can't sleep, so we try to travel at nap time. I'm sure you'll find something that works for you - good luck, have a great trip! :o)