Car Seat Crying-By Elizabeth Pantley, Author of Gentle Baby Care available at www.pantley.com/elizabeth

Some babies fall asleep almost before you’re out of the driveway,
but others won’t spend five happy minutes in their car seats.
Usually, this is because your baby is used to more freedom of
movement and more physical attention than you can provide when
she’s belted into her seat.

Hearing your baby cry while you are trying to drive is challenging.
Even though it’s difficult to deal with, remember that you and your
baby’s safety are most important.

Parents sometimes take a crying baby out of the car seat, which is extremely dangerous and makes it even more difficult for the baby to get used to riding in the car
seat. Some parents make poor driving decisions when their babies
are crying, which puts everyone in danger. Either pull over and
calm your baby down, or focus on your driving. Don’t try to do both.

The good news is that a few new ideas and a little time and
maturity will help your baby become a happy traveler. (I know,
because three of my babies were car-seat-haters!)

The trip to car seat happiness
Any one (or more) of the following strategies may help solve your
car seat dilemma. If the first one you try fails, choose another one,
then another; eventually, you’ll hit upon the right solution for your
baby.

Make sure that your baby is healthy
If car seat crying is something new, and your baby has been
particularly fussy at home, too, your baby may have an ear infection
or other illness. A visit to the doctor is in order.

Bring the car seat in the house and let your baby sit and play in it.
Once it becomes more familiar in the house, she may be happier to
sit there in the car.

Keep a special box of soft, safe car toys that you’ll use only in the
car. If these are interesting enough, they may hold her attention.
(Avoid hard toys because they could cause injury in a quick stop.)

Tape or hang toys for viewing
You can do this on the back of the seat that your baby is facing or
string an array of lightweight toys from the ceiling using heavy tape
and yarn. Place them just at arm’s reach so that your baby can bat
at them from her seat. (Don’t use hard toys that could hurt your
baby if they come loose in a quick stop.)

Make a car mobile
Link a long row of plastic baby chains from one side of the
backseat to the other. Clip soft, lightweight new toys onto the chain
for each trip. Make sure they are secure and keep on eye on these
so that they don’t become loose while you are driving.
Hang a made-for-baby poster on the back of the seat that faces
your baby.

“These are usually black, white, red and bold primary colors; some
even have pockets so you can change the pictures. (Remember to
do this, since changing the scenery is very helpful.)

Experiment with different types of music in the car
Some babies enjoy lullabies or music tapes made especially for
young children; others surprise you by calming down as soon as
you play one of your favorites. Some babies enjoy hearing Mom or
Dad sing, more than anything else! (For some reason, a rousing
chorus of “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer” has always been a
good choice for us, even out of season!)

Try “white noise” in the car
You can purchase CDs of soothing nature sounds or you can make
a recording of your vacuum cleaner!

Practice with short, pleasant trips when your baby is in a good mood.
It helps if someone can sit near her and keep her entertained. A
few good experiences may help set a new pattern.

Try a pacifier or teething toy
When your baby has something to suck or chew on he may be
happier. Just make sure it doesn’t present a choking hazard, and
keep to small, soft toys.

Hang a mirror
That way your baby can see you (and you can see your baby) while
you are driving. Baby stores offer specialty mirrors made especially
for this purpose. When in her seat, she may think that you’re not
there, and just seeing your face will help her feel better.

Put up a sunshade in the window
This can be helpful if you suspect that sunshine in your baby’s face
may be a problem. Use the window-stick-on types, and avoid any
with hard pieces that could become dislodged in a quick stop.

Try to consolidate trips
Trip-chaining is effective, especially if you avoid being in the car for
long periods of time, and you don’t have many ins-and-outs.

Make sure your baby hasn’t outgrown her car seat.
If her legs are confined, or her belts are too tight, she my find her
seat to be uncomfortable.

Try opening a window
Fresh air and a nice breeze can be soothing.

If all else fails . . . take the bus!

This article is an excerpt from Gentle Baby Care by Elizabeth
Pantley. (McGraw-Hill, 2003)

http://www.pantley.com/files/CarSeatCrying.pdf