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3mo suddenly fussing in carseat & buggy

1 reply

WestLondonMum4 · 26/08/2025 16:02

My LO is ~3mo adjusted (he was 6wks prem) and has suddenly started being extremely fussy in the car seat, and much more fussy in the buggy. He was fine with both when he was very little (sleepy preemie) and then got fed up with the buggy bassinet (mountain buggy one which is quite narrow), so we switched to parent facing reclined which initially worked quite well. Then last weekend suddenly neither the parent facing buggy nor the car seat were agreeing with him at all and he’s been very distressed.
I’ve taken him to a cranial osteopath who gave him the ok. He had a cold but it’s better now. He had some constipation but that seems to be better too. Not sure if the memory of being uncomfortable with constipation or cold has generated the fussiness or if this is an age/development phase and if there’s anything we can do about it or just soldier on and try to reduce both car/buggy time (which tbh is massively inconvenient as we have a toddler but the screaming really stresses me!)
Our car seat is a 360 maxi cosi one. Our buggy is parent facing mountain buggy swift with a sheepskin liner. I don’t think it’s due to temperature as he’s been fussy when it’s been warm and when it’s been cooler. The only thing that calms him is being picked up, having a bottle or sucking on a finger while in either seat, and sometimes just having my face near and holding his hand works, but not for long. I’m wondering about trying a pacifier but was worried about him needing this all the time eg at night. To caveat, I wouldn’t put it all down to hunger as it’s been very persistent even when he’s had a good feed before the journey. I’ve read about babies being more alert and interested in their surroundings at this age, and/or not liking feeling strapped in. Neither quite feels like the whole answer (but could be a contributing factor) as my son is very chill being strapped into the bouncer at home, also loves the carrier. Could be movement but we haven’t had any reflux or vomiting. Help! 🫣😄 any advice gratefully received!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
skkyelark · 27/08/2025 21:50

It's not been very long (although I know it feels it!), so it might just be a phase. That said, he's three months old – if he screams, it's because he has a need that isn't being met, even if said problem might soon be outgrown.

Can you use the carrier more for a bit? Do you have any toys for him to grab at in the buggy? (Trickier in the car seat, I realise.) If you did want to try a dummy, particularly in the car when the screaming can be dangerously distracting, I don't think that has to become an all the time thing – if you only ever offer it in the car, he's unlikely to look for it at other times at this age.

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