3 month old HATES car seat - any experience or tips?

[snowchick1977]

Hi my 3 month old Dd hates being in the car seat. My son always fell fast asleep in the seat and always travelled well.

I've tried feeding, winding her prior to travel, waiting until she is sleepy or asleep and other things too, but she screams blue murder for the whole journey.

I dont think she is too hot or too cold either.

I have to travel about a lot, so I was just wondering if anyone had any solutions or tips to make things easier for her.

She rarely fall asleep, and, if she does, the second we stop she wakes up screaming.

Would she settle with a dummy? what about those.toys you can wrap aroubd the handle?

Might be the only solution is to grin and bear it.

Is it the car seat she hates or the travelling?
Try bringing the car seat indoors and putting her in it to play/nap for abit. She may be fine in a different environment, and that may break the cycle.
Is there anything about the position of the seat in the car that could be upetting her? can she see out, toys to play with, near her DS - any of these may be too much or too little. Can she see you?
Travel sickness?

Shes never sick, just screams.

Shes ok if she is in the seat indoors for a short period, providing I swing the seat, or bob it up and down.

She is in the back, she cant see me or ds.

Do you think I should put her into the front. I can do this as its a rear facing seat, but not ideal....actually not sure if I can becuase its an older vehicle and I cant turn the airbag off. So thats a no no then.

It got that bad when I was stuck in traffic the other week that she was foaming at the mouth and sweating when I was able to pull over (was on motorway)

I hate upsetting her.

Mine was like this, woke up one day at five months and didn't mind travelling anymore. Has travelled well ever since, maybe you haven't long before change.

have you got a mirror or something she could look at. we had a frog thing that hung on the seat with a mirror in it. it meant I could see DS and he had something to look at. it is so stressful when they cry in the car.

Could your DH or your sit in the back with her when you are both in the car

I hate to say this but..DS hated being in his car seat (in the car) & buggy pretty much from birth. We bought a mirror thingy, toys, you name it! We were so hopeful that things would change when he moved over to a front facing car seat.

He's 20 months old now and still hates the car. Even providing a constant supply of food is no guarantee and it makes longer journeys (anything over half an hour) a nightmare. Sorry I can't help but you do have my sympathies!