My 13 month old hates car seats!

Lise - posted on 03/08/2011

I was the carsick kid as a child. I still am if I can't see where I am going. If she is carsick the dvd player will make it worse. I know from experience. Luckily there are lots of things you can do if it is carsickness. The wristbands, static straps that go on the bottom of the car work, ginger, and for long trips gravol ( they also make a natural gravol). I have a SIL who had a daughter who didn't like her carseat so she would scream and fight. Her solution was to just let her out so she could move freely in the vehicle. I think that was the most irresponsible stupid thing I have ever seen someone do. Her daughter stopped crying but shes lucky nothing ever happened. Good luck and eventually it will get better.

Ana - posted on 03/12/2010

Try to play a portable DVD player with children's video or hang a mobile toy in front of her to keep her busy. Or better yet play nursery rhymes on your CD player and she'll love it. I bet you she'll never gonna ever want to leave that car seat anymore.

Amber - posted on 03/10/2010

The car seat fits her good! I got one of those that automatically adjust to her size. She has no problem playing in the carseat as long as we dnt start up the car and go. Lately i have been trying to leave the house around her nap time. Which she is even more crabby but after about 30 mins of crying she falls asleep! Also, yes she was a swing baby and loves playing on the swing and spining around. So i dont think it really is motion sickness because she loves both of those and giggles the whole time. Thank you for all of your suggestions!

D - posted on 03/10/2010

I totally disagree with Korine's statement to put a rolled up blanket behind your daughter. Do not do that! There should never be anything place between the baby and seat, not even a large bulky coat or those soft very bulky baby bags people use on baby carriers for infant seats. Reason being that it will compress during an accident and her harness will become too loose, not providing her with the best protection (possibly letting her slide through the straps or having too much room for her head to whip back and forth). Another point I'd like to make is please make sure the chest clip is at she armpit level, never lower.

But now that that is out of the way, I can feel your pain with your daughter screaming. I use to hate it when they would squirm and push their belly out and all sorts of things when trying to get them secured properly. You could try bringing the seat in and just leaving in on the floor for her to play with (my kids would love to strap themselves in or a baby doll). Or one day, let her play in the car with you while your cleaning it or whatever. See if she plays in her seat. Explain that she needs to be safe when driving and if she doesn't use the seat, she'll get hurt in an accident. Also when you know you're going out, you could give her a warning of 5 mins or so, just so she is aware what's going to happen. Not sure what to do in your case. Just keep it up, she'll be fine with it one day.

Lorena - posted on 03/10/2010

My daughter is the same. Ever since she was a baby she always hated the "Car Seat". The only way to go pass this stage is to ignore the screaming and crying. She will get use to it eventually. Also trying givng her her favorite toy/blanket and her bottle. I've done that and it works wonders. Good luck!!!

Korine - posted on 03/10/2010

Try a small blanket rolled and put it at the small of her back (nothing too big). We have to do this for our oldest daughter. It may take a little adjusting to get it right where she needs it. A lot of car seats don't give kids the back support that they need. You may also have her checked out at a chiropractic office. There may be something a little bit out of alignment. Good luck.

Bernie - posted on 03/10/2010

WAs she a swing baby? Or did she cry with that too. It is probably motion sickness, my niece had the nastiest scream when riding in the car. She didn't like to swing either.
We would only travel at nap time or make freguent stops to let her munch, walk/crawl for abit then back again.

Ntahli - posted on 03/10/2010

Maybe you have to adjust the car seat, she doesnt fits at all. If she still fits put her and ignore, Doctors say she will get used to it, even though the scream get into our nerves easily. Dont let her control you, you are her mother.

Amber - posted on 03/09/2010

Yea, she dont like the sun either but most of the time the sun is not the issue! No she is in a big gurl seat now front faceing and dosent like it! She didnt like the carrier either. I will try a few of your ideas and see what happens. Im guessing there is no real solution and i will just have to deal with it like i have been.

Dallas - posted on 03/09/2010

My daughter now 15 months old has never like her car seat from birth! She is in a forward facing one now and it's still the same. I used to see other mom's have there baby in the new born seats asleep in the store, yeah right not my kid! We have tried everything except a dvd player, but nothing works. I just repeatedly tell her NO, STOP, etc! It's just the way she is, but like a few posts up said "ignore it. let her scream, turn up the stereo and cruise on. She is 1 yr old. She doesn't get to call the shots. Eventually she'll accept the fact that you make the rules."

Diane - posted on 03/09/2010

My son Colin hated car seats too. He would wiggle his way out of it no matter how secure it was. Had to always keep an eye on him. I would suggest just keep trying new things and keep her assured that she has to be in the seat whenever you go anywhere. Hang in there.

Lacey - posted on 03/09/2010

is she still in an infant carrier?? My daughter was a lot happier once I put her in a big girl car seat where she could sit up. If baby is over 20 lbs you can also face her forward. My daughter also has issues in her seat because the sun gets in her eyes.

Renee - posted on 03/09/2010

My daughter was the same way and someone suggested the Fisher Price baby car thing. It's a steering wheel and gear shifter for babies to pretend they are driving. It talks and sings songs. She LOVES it. They have a plain one and a Sesame Street one. Good Luck!

Amanda - posted on 03/09/2010

try putting the carseat in your home and make a game of going bye bye in your home wheere she is more comfortable, start with the straps off then stage up to loose straps then tighten them until there is a comfort for you nd her, let her put her baby in the carseat and help you strap the baby in therefore she knows it is not a torture chamber that she is being put into. this helped with my son i hope it helps for you.

Jen - posted on 03/09/2010

my son went through it for a while at 11 months but i just sat next to him distracting him with books toys food n now his fine

Erin Darby - posted on 03/09/2010

Try a mirror on the back of the front seat's headrest for her to look at herself. She may just feel alone and isolated in the back seat, and seeing herself or "another baby" may help!

Veronica - posted on 03/09/2010

My son went thru this too for awhile. we eventually figured out that he doesn't like the sun in his face. I put him in the middle of the back seat and bought him a little pair of sun glasses.

Cheryl - posted on 03/09/2010

My son screamed in his "bucket-style" carseat from birth to age 4 months. I mean...screamed! Everytime we put him in it. It was not pleasant! When we bought a larger/different style car seat (still rear-facing) he only cried sometimes...now he's 9 months and he cries only when he is tired and within seconds, he falls asleep. I thought about car sickness etc as well. I honestly think he hates to be rear facing. My stroller converts to rear or forward and he seems happier when he's facing forward. I try to interact with him via the big mirror he has and it helps him to know I'm there. It's frustrating and I hope it gets better as he gets older.

Christy - posted on 03/08/2010

i actually went through this phase with my daughter and it was at about the same time as you're having your issue. i found that if i engaged her in conversation or sang to her or something she was a lot more content. it didn't work every trip but it did help for a majority of our outings. she's 19 months old now and while she still doesn't enjoy the car she at least doesn't fight being put into her car seat and will just sit there with an annoyed look on her face till we get where we're going (unless it's to the park or to her grandparent's houses, then she talks non-stop till we get there lol).

Amber - posted on 03/08/2010

Yes, she still cries throughout the car ride! Not sure if it is carsick or just the fact she is being restrained! I have been giveing her snacks that works until she is done eating.

Ali - posted on 03/06/2010

Hi Amber,

I am concerned for you. Is your little one still in pain when traveling by car?

A

Sneaky - posted on 03/03/2010

I think I saw this hint on Super Nanny, that you can try bringing her 'special seat' in from the car and she is allowed to sit in as a reward or when doing something special on the floor in the lounge room. . . .I know it seems odd, but it has actually worked for the two mums I know that had to try it :o) Good luck!

Amber - posted on 03/02/2010

Thanks amy! I didnt think of that! I will try a dvd player 2 see if that will help some!

Iridescent - posted on 02/28/2010

It's worth finding out if she's carsick; they make little wristbands (I can look them up, saw them but forget what they are) that help any age without meds with easing motion sickness. That said, ignore it to the best of your ability, try a portable DVD player perhaps, ANYTHING.

Kathy - posted on 02/28/2010

Looks like you've tried everything. As Sharon says, she doesn't get to call the shots. Even if she IS carsick, she still has to stay in her seat. Perhaps a snack, as others have suggested might help if it's carsickness.

Sharon - posted on 02/23/2010

ignore it. let her scream, turn up the stereo and cruise on.

She is 1 yr old. She doesn't get to call the shots. Eventually she'll accept the fact that you make the rules.

Amber - posted on 02/23/2010

She is front faceing has been that way for the past 2 months. Still hasent eased up any.

Abbie - posted on 02/23/2010

Front facing or rear? My son screamed while rear facing, once we changed him front in the middle seat, he loved it as he could see the cars and see things. Also we use kids music in the car, drives me nuts but keeps him happy.

Amber - posted on 02/23/2010

Yes i have tried the music. It dont seem 2 help. She will scream over the stereo lol! She is forward faceing with the new carseat we bought. Thank you ladies 4 ur help!

Amanda - posted on 02/23/2010

I am also a firm believer in extended rear facing, but I agree with Becky its carsickiness!! My son was the same way, he totally hated the car, would try to get out, it wasnt until he was older and could express he was sick did we figure out what his problem had been. To this day having a snack in the car always helps him with his car sickiness. I would suggest turning her around, and givin her a snack, because a mother listening to a child scream for 30 minutes is just as dangerous as a distracted driver.

Sarah - posted on 02/23/2010

Try singing to her when you guys go out. Or you can try to make a game out of it. Good Luck!

Becky - posted on 02/23/2010

I have heard that some babies who constantly scream in the car are actually doing it because they are carsick - they're not puking, but they're feeling nauseous. Is she still rear-facing, or is she already forward facing? I hate to recommend turning them around because I'm a big fan of extended rear-facing, but if she's getting carsick, that might help. For some reason, you seem to get less carsick if you face forward. I don't know if there's anything you can give them for nausea. You might want to ask your dr. about it, at least if you have any long trips coming up. I don't think I'd bother for running to the store, I'd just put up with it, but if you were going to be in the car for a few hours, I can see how that would drive you nuts!

Corena - posted on 02/23/2010

Does your car have a stereo? Maybe she is a music lover and you can put some of her favorite music on?

(I am sure you've probably tried that...)

Amber - posted on 02/23/2010

Well she has done this since she was about 8 months. We have tried 2 different car seats. I think its just she dont like the fact of being restricted cause she pulls on the buckles trying to get out. I do try ignoreing her but its really bad and eventually a
I start getting a headache. I thought eventually it would ease up some but if anything it has gotten worse.

Ali - posted on 02/23/2010

Hi Amber,

Has the riding in the child seat been a problem for a long time because my daycare provider said that all kids/babies go through that stage. Screaming must be hard to tolerate but can I suggest ignoring her...... I know, how difficult will that be..........

Let us know how you get through this difficult time please,

Ali

Corena - posted on 02/22/2010

It could be that specific car seat...maybe try a few different brands. Find a store that will let you try it in your car with her in it before you buy it.