1 year old car seat struggles

[Idontwanttoknow84]

Hi,

So my 1 year old has never been a lover of the car but is now putting up a huge fight every time I try and put him in the car seat. I have a school aged child and live too far from school to walk so this is happening multiple times a day and I'm just exhausted. Has anyone got any tips on how to navigate this please? He is so strong now and it can take me 10mins or more just to get him in the seat. For what it's worth he hates highchair, prams etc - basically anything that restricts him. I try and minimise these as much as I can.

Thanks :)

Is he still in his baby carrier seat or the one after that? Often they improve dramatically with the next seat as it's a lot more comfortable for them. If he's already on that seat, can you get him to climb in (with help) and find his straps so that it's more active?

Hi thank you so much for your reply! Unfortunately we have tried both car seats and he is the same in both. His head flops forward in the next size car seat if he falls asleep so we are inclined to keep him in the first seat until 15months (it's a cybex meant to last until 2 years so fit shouldn't be an issue).
He has just turned one so isn't able to climb in himself yet and I just don't think he understands so I can't really explain to him in any meaningful way. He is very strong and hates being contained so it is just such a struggle.

Are you trying to get him in the infant carrier before or after putting it in the car? Before may be easier, more room to manoeuvre, if he isn't too heavy to lift in that way.

If he's going stiff like a board to stop you getting him into the seat, a quick tickle of the ribs or tummy can make them soft and curl a bit to get into a car seat or buggy.

It may also help to have the straps loosened off enough that it's easy to get the clip done despite flailing arms and legs, and then tighten afterwards.

Extending it doesn't help either of you, so I'd just be saying 'I know you don't want to go in the car seat, but you need to be safe.' and then just do the karate chop technique so it's as quick as possible.

Oh that's definitely tricky when he's a young one. Yes I think you just have to bundle him in while acknowledging he doesn't want to and you're sorry he's finding it hard. And then give him a favourite toy once he's in. Definitely loosen straps right off, put in, fasten ignoring his general flailing and once it's fastened gently reposition and hold his tummy down to tighten initially and then head back for the final tighten.

Thanks all. I think consensus is just to get him in quickly even if he is struggling. He is so quick sometimes and just turns himself around but I think I just need to be more prepared. Does anyone know at what age they become more accepting? Hr is quite a stubborn little one so I fear I'm going to have years of this and it's going to get harder the stronger and bigger he gets.