5mo hates the car - any end in sight?

[Likeaburstcouch]

DS 5 months has hated the car since about 8 weeks. We have tried:

• new car seat (he's 8kg so still rear facing, but not as scrunched up as the first bucket-style car seat)
• different toys to try and distract him
• mirror on the headrest so he can see driver
• me sitting next to him (this has marginal benefit - only delays the inevitable screaming, and means DD3 has to sit in the front in her carseat as I can't fit in between the two seats)
• white noise / lullabies/ nursery rhymes
• driving when he's due a nap
• driving when he's just woken up
• driving when he's just had a feed
• driving 20m+ after a feed
• driving early in the morning

When we first changed his seat we had 3 successful journeys, but then everything reverted and its just as bad as before.

I'm starting to think it's reflux because he didn't tend to tolerate lying flat in the pram for long (this has never been an issue because i just take the sling everywhere) and he is quite sicky.

Can anyone share any experiences?

Hi @Likeaburstcouch
I've noticed when i sing my DD doesn't cry. No radio just my voice. I usually start with the 'Wheels On The Bus'. I also do this when she cries if i'm changing her clothes or nappy. Hopefully this works for you xx

We had exactly the same problem and tried all of those things which didn’t help. I ended up not going anywhere in the car and only walking. Then one day at about 6 months old it just stopped and now she’s happy as Larry in the car. I also think it was reflux because it coincided with her starting solids and being less sicky in general. We have a 5 hour car journey coming up so fingers crossed for that!

I have a calming playlist on Spotify which really helps my DC to calm down in the car