Screaming baby in Carseat.

Kelly - posted on 02/13/2010

We had the same problem with our first. Initially there was some improvement through the use of a pacifier (luckily our son would take his) and a baby Cd with calming music. The big turn around however came after we purchased a mirror to attach to the back seat. The initial purpose of the mirror was so that we could keep an eye on him whilst he was rear facing however he loved being able to look at himself and we didn't have any more problems till he reached the toddler down right refusal to even get in the car stage.

Baby Maker - posted on 02/13/2010

We sing to our new babies. Turn the radio off and sing loud but not screaming lullabies, nursery rhymes. Over and over and over until they have calmed. If baby will not stop crying I will then stop the car and breastfeed and if hubby is in the car he sits in the back with them.

Sue - posted on 02/12/2010

Wow. Well, I wish you luck. Its really hard when you have no other choice and no sibling to ride next to her and stick a pacifier in her mouth. I have one that has been carsick since tiny...she tells me that now that shes 14 and it makes perfect sense! She HATES to ride in the car. Unless we are going someplace that she can weigh the benefits, she always stays home and camps out. For longer trips you may have to use dramamine on her (when shes older of course). I guess Im not much help, but I can sure sympathize! I had a 15 month old and a newborn, so when one yelled the other one screamed. It was pure bliss ...when the radio was loud enough to drown it out that is...lol.

Geralyn - posted on 02/12/2010

My son went through that phase. And repeated the phase several times over the last year and a half. My husband and I agreed when it first occurred that we would stop the vehicle when it could be done safely and not drive with a screaming child. It can be very unnerving....



What worked for us - I would take him out of the car seat and hold/console him. It may take about 5 to 15 minutes, of holding and talking to him, but then he would get into the car seat without a tear. I would say perhaps less than 5% of the time, I may have to do a second round, but it worked. What we had noticed was that if he was crying, initially it was about being in the carseat, but within minutes, he would have himself so worked up that it was no longer just about the car seat. Holding/cuddling him worked like a charm. Those early weeks were my first lessons in learning that it was more important to sooth him and be a little late to our destination - to live in the moment with my son.

Sidney - posted on 02/12/2010

I would check with my pediatrician the angle of the car seat may be causing back pain. She also may be experiencing a little carsickness. You might try putting a towel or receiving blanket in your freezer then roll it into a burrito roll and put it behind your baby's neck in the car seat. If the towel is too cold just put a thinner towel or blanket between the baby and the frozen towel. If it is nausea the cold on her neck will help. If it is a back pain issue I would talk to the doc and see what they recommend.

Mary - posted on 02/12/2010

Both my boys would do this, scream, cry, and then eventually throw up. I found that if I put in some classical music and turned it up louder than normal, (they had to be able to hear it over their screaming.) they would simmer down a bit. I would then turn it down so that it became a soothing thing for them. Later on, when there was a issue, I would turn on the classical music and they would settle right down.

Erin - posted on 02/12/2010

My daughter hated the car seat until we put her in the next stage this way she could see out. It got to the point that I was only able to go out with someone in the backseat to help putting the soother or feeding her or just distrating her. It was so hard to go or do anything unless someone sat in the backseat. The only thing I can suggest is keep trying to put the baby in the carseat when u are at home and see if that works then they might get more used to it that way. Good luvk I now how u feel though.

Nikki - posted on 02/12/2010

haha Brett Dennan " the one who loves you the most" and Ingrid Michaelson "the way I am" are what we call his off switch he could be screaming at the top pf his lungs and the second we put either of those songs on he's quiet instantly , its insane

Kristy - posted on 02/12/2010

We had the same problem with my first child. It's weird but believe it or not playing Michael Bubles "Mrs Jones" was the ONLY thing that would calm her. We even made a video of her going from screaming hysterically to totally calm and gooing cause no one believed us!! We have a dual screen dvd in our car and my husband has put the second screen on the back seat headrest so our 3 1/2 mnth old has something to watch while he's in a rear facing seat. That helps keep him occupied!! It's frustrating when you're driving to hear your child screaming in the back so good luck. Hope you find something that works for you.

Stephanie - posted on 02/12/2010

does she watch any kind of tv. my daughter had that problem a little bit but the i got her a portable dvd play and hooked it on the seat so she could see it. and it gave her something to watch and it kept her attention on something long enough for me t get where i need to get.

Emma - posted on 02/12/2010

Dress her lightly. My son does the same thing, but now he does it after being in the car for about 20 mins+. I became one of the mothers that now lightly dresses her child to go out, because I know that he overheats easily and when he ends up crying like that for so long it just makes him cry more because then he is sweaty and uncomfortable.



I live outside of Vancouver, BC, Canada so thankfully our winters are not that cold. So I can take him out with just a t-shirt/onsie and sweater (pants of course), no blanket, nothing extra to help with wind prevention. I crack the back window a centimetre, crack my window about an inch and let the cool air flow over him. That way if we end up being stuck in the car longer and he starts to cry I know that he won't overheat as much as he can with being all bundled up.



Sing songs, not only to yourself but to your daughter, it will help you both with some soothing lullaby's or your fave song. Maybe one of the mirrors you can attach to the back so she can see herself and you can see her as well (will help put your mind at ease). Once you stop, take her out of the seat. Walk around for 5 or so minutes, wait for her to calm down. Then put her back, or in her stroller or bring her back inside. On longer trips take breaks, so you can tend to her, nurse her whatever. Good luck, this will happen and it will get easier with time.

Nikki - posted on 02/12/2010

do you bundle her up before putting her into the carseat, that could be the reason. I always make sure my son is lightly dressed and use a blanket. Have you tried music i find that usually settles my son if he gets upset... at 8 months he still hates when i fasten him in , but once we start driving he calms down

Lauren - posted on 02/12/2010

My baby hates it too. He sometimes will go a little while without crying, but for the most part he cries unless somebody is in the backseat with him. I have tried toys, the pacifier, singing to him, which works a little. I am hoping he will maybe be better at it when he gets to face the front. But he is 9 months now and he still hates riding back there. I listen to my MP3 player...so then I can't hear him so much.

Chris - posted on 02/12/2010

My son HATED the carseat, too. I think it was a combo of being strapped in and riding backwards. Our lives changed when we finally got to turn him facing forward. If you can afford it you *might* look into trying a different brand of seat. We had a Graco at first with much screaming, but he did better in the Britax we got him at 6 mos. I think it's more comfy and a little more upright. If all else fails and you know your child is going to scream no matter what, I'd say crank the radio and drown the hollering out! :)

Laura - posted on 02/12/2010

i used to turn the music up a lil too..

Laura - posted on 02/12/2010

my younger son was the same way.. but i didnt let it stop me from gong out.. he got over it and now hes 16 mos and if its around a naptime he will go right out sometimes not but ewll how old is she?

Melanie - posted on 02/12/2010

is there any chance that the carseat belt is too tight? where she's maybe slightly uncomfortable? just a thought.

Michelle - posted on 02/12/2010

Never had the problem myself. But the pacifier is a good option or using positive reinforcement techniques might work. Basically you put them in the car for a short time and they are rewarded at the end of it and then increase the time. They may only last 30 secs or a minute for a while. I know it is hard and I now agree after 3 children myself that mothers are the worst drivers. How could we not be.

Melissa - posted on 02/12/2010

She takes a pacifier, but in the carseat if I try to give it to her, she just screams louder. It is very odd. I have never known a baby that hated the carseat and being in the car so much.

Renee - posted on 02/12/2010

Wow - my daughter did that too briefly. I took it as she wanted to be held and couldn't see me from the seat since it faced backward. She did stop after a little while. I know it's hair raising trying to drive with a screaming baby in the back seat. What I tried to do was make sure (if possible) to feed her and give her time to poo before I took her in the car. Then she was not hungry and clean diaper and then she was more likely to sleep. Eventually she was fine. What about a pacifier? My daughter hated those too but it's worth a try. Good luck to you.