Rear Facing Car Seat – Don’t know what to do ☹

[bananainpjs]

My 12 month has recently started nursery. He used to be okay in the car unless it was a long journey.

I have started back at work 3 days a week, so have to make a 45 minute to his nursery in the morning (its near my workplace). It started off okay and he would never cry and was happy. But lately he’s started hating it, where he would cry so much, he would start shaking. I put music on etc, but I think he’s bored of the CD. I give him toys which he isn’t interested in either.

When he gets to nursery, he’s happy and isn’t least bit bothered when I leave. So, I know it’s not because he’s going to nursery.

I am really tempted to change his car seat to forward facing so he can see me at least. I have a mirror facing him so i can see him but he plays with it with his feet (hes tall) so it starts moving out of position.

He’s tall for his age and weighs about 38 lbs, which is above average.
Am I being silly though? What else would you suggest?

It's much safer to be rear facing, I'm keeping my 13 month rear facing for as long as possible. 90 min in the car for 3 days us a lot, how about changing to a nursery nearer your home? Or on the way?

They go through phases of crying in their car seats. I don't think facing forward would make that much difference. It would just become something else that makes it a difficult journey. I personally would be inclined to use a nursery closer to home rather than doing such a long trip every day (I have a longer commute than that but our nursery is 5 minutes from home, which I think is much easier).

Realistically though, your greatest risk for having an accident is on the drive you make regularly. I wouldn't risk your child's safety just to prevent him crying. It is likely a phase and will pass eventually.

We had this with my 13 month old. He got to a point he'd scream & cry & there was no calming him. Hes now forward facing & travels so much better.

These parents who say it’s not worth turning the car seat round haven’t had a screamer as bad as some of us! I think you’re more at risk of having an accident if you’re distracted by your baby screaming so would you turning it round, especially as you say he’s big for his age.

My baby started crying and screaming something rotten in the car normally if he was also tired and hungry. H also started shaking it was awful, I am glad I didn't have to drive him and every day (I took him to childcare in his pushchair). It was an awful phase but should pass eventually.

I don't see how turning him round would help as if he can see you he might be annoyed that you're not stopping. It's much safer to keep him rear facing and it sounds like you're clutching at straws because you want to fix the issue unfortunately unless you don't drive him I'm not sure it's fixable. Is there a particular reason you chose a nursery close to work and not your home? It might be best to move him closer to home if not

You can get mirrors for the car so he can see you and still rear face. Also stuff to hang over the seat for him to look at. Try that before potentially compromising his safety.