Baby Cries During Car Ride

I got a different car seat when my second started that at about 8 months. It made a world of difference. I let her test I don't know how many different seats, found one she liked, and she's happy about it to this day, a year later.

My son did the same thing in his infant carrier car seat when he was about that age. I got him a "big boy" convertible car seat and he absolutely loves it. He rarely cries in the car anymore. I think it's because he's more upright and can see the cars out of the window. You can also try adjusting his straps, they grow so fast sometimes it gets a little tight on their chubby legs.

This is tough and distracting too...but don't give up. Keep taking him on short trips and extend the time gradually. I found singing fun car songs and just constantly talking through her crying helped calm her. After a short amount of time she was used to it and now loves the car.

Hi Ann,

My son is now 5 years old. From the time he was born until he was 5 months old, he screamed in the car--literally from the moment we took him home form the hospital, there was not a moment when he did not scream hysterically. When other people told me their kid "cried" in the car, I would find that it was mere wimpering compared to my son's blood-curtling wails. People told us that if we drove long enough eh'd just fall asleep--once we tested this theory on an hour-long drive, and he screamed the whole way. We could not figure out what to do. It was incredibly stressful.

In desperation, we followed a friend's suggestion to visit a cranio-sacral chiropractor. Because my son was also waking up ALL NIGHT LONG (literally every 15 or 20 minutes--we were going insane), we tried it. After one visit, during which the chiropractor talked with us and gently touched our son's spine and head, the car screaming stopped. In fact, immediately after the appointment, we put him in the car to drive the 40 minutes home (he'd screamed the 40 minutes there, of course),and within 2 blocks he FELL ASLEEP. For the first time in his life. And he slept for 2 hours. Which he'd never done even in his crib or our bed! My husband and I didn't know what to do. And the car screaming was never an issue after that.

I don't know if your son has the same issue as ours did (whatever it was--some kind of misalignment that made sitting uncomfortable), but it is certainly worth trying. If you are not familiar with cranio-sacral work (I wasn't), it's an extremely gentle form of chiropractic work. It just looks like the doctor is touching the baby's back gently. Frankly the whole thing seemed weird to us, and we nicknamed the chiropractor "Doc Voodoo". But it worked, so we really don't care how odd it semed. We go for periodic checkups to Doc Voodoo and we adore him.

I don't know where you live, but our Doc Voodoo is Dr. Aaron Rosselle at the Upaya Center in Oakland on Grand Ave. If that's not convenient, look into cranio-sacral or "network" chiropractic for kids in your area.

Good luck!!
M.

Oh yes, A., you are not alone. When my daughter was a baby she cried everywhere we went - no one else I knew had a child that did this - I felt like I was going insane! These ladies gave some great suggestions and now that she is 6 I really believe she was getting carsick most of the time. Her crying began immediately (first ride home from PVH and every time afterward) and did not stop until we were out of the car.

She did grow out of it and I did turn around her carseat at 8 months - driving with a sreaming child, I rationalized was more dangerous than a forward facing one at a bit under the age. She was 20 pounds. Before I turned her around, we just walked everywhere and when people talked about going for a car ride to get their children to sleep, I just thought about something else or go out of that conversation - nothing was peaceful about car rides with my child!

I've been there - you are not alone - your child is not strange - I felt so alone- this is just an early parenting trial, nice hugh?! When she was 3, her favorite car ride music was Animal Boogie by Barefoot Books (I am now a local rep) - we still sing it today but I really do remember those early days - I'd say she really got better when I turned her around - I know this is not good advice but I hope you feel my compassion and empathy!

I also had an older child (2 years) at the time who would just look at me and ask, "Mommy, can you make her stop?" Crazy days!

Take care - may the force be with you!
K. von Raesfeld, Petaluma, CA

I feel for you. My son was the same way when he was an infant. Went on for 2-3 months. It was frustrating. The only thing that helped is when someone was back there. Of course, that's not possible a majority of the time since I also was a sahm, and his dad worked. We never really got anything to work, outside of the person in the back with him. Sometimes playing music would help...kind of loud too, to get his attention, then I could turn it down a bit. That was the only other thing that "helped." But it was never a "for sure" thing. I don't have much advice, just a pat on the back, because I've been there too. He will outgrow it. I know it doesn't make it easier, but just hang in there.

My friend had the same problem with her 5 month old son. A few months later he stopped crying in the car. Your son might just be going through a phase that he will get over eventually as he matures.

Yes. My baby used to cry everytime we put him in the car until we had to change to a new car seat (i guess he was older enought to like cars...). Usually somebody in the back with him helped to distract him but it was so hard to drive anywhere.

My baby hates being in the car seat so what worked for me was singing to her and playing music. I either make up my own silly songs, or play some children’s music for her. As long as I'm singing or her music is playing she is quiet. Its our little ritual now, if she is the car she expects to hear her music, she's even developed likes and dislikes..she likes 'itsy bitsy spider' and 'if your happy' but dislikes and begins to cry when 'home on the range' come up.

I started doing this when she was about 3 months old, she's now 9 months and still works wonderfully.

You can reinforce her like of her music selection by playing or singing the music when you are at home during happy play-time, this way when you play it in the car, your baby will associate it with happy play-time with mom.

If you are wondering what music I play for her, I play her the music I grew up on:
Walt Disney Records: Children's Favorite Songs Vol. 1,2,3&4
You can look it up on amazon there quite nice.

Hope this helps.
--A..

Hi, I just joined this group and noticed that you have received many emails with advice so hopefully you haven't already gotten this suggestion. I have two tips:

1. Try bringing the car seat into the house, set it on the floor and put your baby in it like you would in the car. See if baby cries. This will help determine if it's the car seat or the car itself. If it is the car seat, you can help your baby learn to sit in the seat a little bit at a time and work your way up to 20-30 minutes...or whatever a realistic car ride will be. Do fun things while baby is in the seat, play hand games, read stories, etc. Walk away from time to time with baby in the seat to help baby get used to being in the seat and not being able to see you.

2. I have 4 small children 9mo to 6yo and the only time my babies have ever cried in the car seat is if they are hungry or have to potty. I don't know if you've ever heard of infant potty training, but it may simply be that your baby has to pee or knows he'll be in the seat for a while and need to pee soon. Believe it or not, babies don't like to pee on themselves and will communicate this need to go...sometimes very loudly, especially a 3mo. If you'd like to know more about this please contact me. You can read an article I've written about it under "articles" @ www.BetterMothers.com or you can call me directly ###-###-####. I'd be happy to explain how to do it and even show you if you want. I live in Monterey too :)

Blessings,
Amy

Dear A.,

Yes, babies cry in the car, and if you have two children that are close in age, you will have two babies crying in the car. They have to stay in the child seats, and they will get used to it. Just go about your errands and fun times, and ignore the crying, you have tried what you thought would help and it didn't, so let him cry, it is good for his lungs as everyone says.

Plus, don't be embarrassed. O.K.? It is just a normal thing.

Turn on some good music and sing. They might like that. Sincerely, C. N.

Try a picture of yourself back there. Make it a good size and talk to him a lot while driving. I had the same problem with my son now 14 months. He grew out of it more or less by six months or so, though there are still times he wails if we are in the car too long. As your son gets older it will be easier to distract him with songs and talking. (And when he is old enough and big enough the forward facing seat helps a lot!)

Good luck!

Hi I just read your request and well, Do you know that some babies can get sick in the car?. Also until they are 6 months they will have lots of stomack pain. This becouse their stomack is still building. It could be that your baby gets pain in his stomack with the movment of the car and crying is his only way to express it. Probably the best will be not to put him in the car until he is much older. Or I will try the tummy becouse this will relax him.

For the first few weeks of my son's life he cried in the carseat too. I took him to Dr. Anderson at Kid Chiropractic; turns out his spine was out of alignment, and after she adjusted him just one time; he was fine in the car seat. Dr. Anderson is listed here on mamasource; her office is in Hollywood. She's worth the drive!

My 3 month old daughter does the same thing. I hate going anywhere with her in the car. What I do is feed her right before we go, take my time strapping her into her carseat and then running around to get in the car and start it as fast as possible one she is in place. She does better when the car is moving, which makes those long stoplights a real pain. I will jiggle her carseat when we stop and talk to her soothingly. I also try to ride with someone and sit in back with her whenever possible. If anyone one else has tried something that works I would love to know.

Hi A.,
My 6 month old did that around that time. It might be just a phase or it may be that you need to adjust his lap belt to a higher setting. That helped Megan but I remember asking her "friends" mommies and they were having similiar issues at that time. It didn't last long but I remember not wanting to drive anywhere!

Hang in there! With both my kids, I found they were much better in the car at 4 months - when they were good at holding on to toys and were more easily distracted since they wanted to practice using their hands. :-)

Mine does the SAME thing. After a while though he will fall asleep but when the car stops, he CRIES!! I just figure eventually he will get used to it

I have the same problem with my 2 month old. He is getting better thanks to his pacifier. I had a music toy and a mirror in front of his car seat but when I had his car sear safety check with the CHP they said the toys weren't safe. I just try to plan my trips around his nap time so I know he will fall asleep.

Hi A.,
My daughter Zoe, 11 months, also hates the carseat. I'm looking forward to her first birthday when we can turn the carseat to face forward...I'm hoping that will help.
As far as solutions, my husband and I have simply limited our car travel. We rely more on public transit, which does not bother our daughter, since she is not confined in those cases. Although it may seem like an inconvenience, it's been worth it to see her suffer less. We've decided to go on fun car trips once she outgrows her hatred of the car seat.

Hi A.-

I can DEFINITELY relate to your problem. my daughter is now 5 months and is substantially better. We found a battery-operated mobile that we hung from the car seat, which helps. We also put a piece of flannel over her lap that smelled like me (I slept with it and squirted a bit of breast milk on it for good measure). That also helped. We also mounded her lap with tons of toys, so that she had LOTS to look at- esp. before she was able to grab things really effectively. We also got a mirror. Perhaps most importantly, though, we decided we needed to stop avoiding the car. Instead, we tried to take lots of very short car rides- at least two a day. this seemed to help her realize that she was not going to be stuck in there forever and that she got to go somewhere interesting each time she got in the car. It really seemed to help her get used to it. And last, but certainly not least, she loves loud music. but not all music. two songs in particular. she can be screaming and if we blast either of those songs (they're very different), she calms down. it took a lot of trying different songs before we found those. we're sick of them, but it's better than screaming. but it always has to be really loud. all those things together, and she's pretty content in the car. we even took a road trip a few weeks ago. she cried for 45 min out of 4 hrs, but since that car ride she hasn't cried in the car once. hope that helps!

I wish I had advice for you. But I have been in your same situation for 17 months! Since the time we took our daughter home from the hospital, to now (she is 17 months), she has hated the car! I have tried everything from different toys, mirrors, music, rolling down the window to a convertible car seat, and we have even turned her around in the seat, still nothing has worked. I'm telling you this because sometimes there is no fix. What's helped me with the screaming is just to except that my daughter HATES the car, once I excepted it, which was only a month ago, it has been a little easier. I just tell myself everytime we get in the car, that yes, she is going to scream, and no, it won't last forever! I also try to minimize my trips as much as I can.

YES!! My daughter was the same way. She wouldn't take a pacifier and cried everytime she was in her carseat. In my case, it was just something she had to grow out of. AND, I think she got better when I stopped riding in back with her. It was like everytime she saw me she wanted me to pick her up but I couldn't and it would make her mad. She's three months and 3 weeks right now and she just in the last week has stopped screaming in the car. Good luck!!

Hi A.,

Ours cried too, until he got old enough to face forward, then no problems after that. We never found a solution, but kind of suspected it was some form of motion sickness.

You might want to try those baby motion-sickness wrist-bands -- they are soft terrycloth, and I think relieve motion sickness by gentle pressure on the wrist pressure points. I'm sure you can call DayOne or something and they will tell you where to get them locally.

Good Luck!

Both my boys had reflux and this may be part of the problem. The older one didn't have the major spitup so it went undiagnosed for a long time. They both hated riding in the car in the infant carrier because it folded them up too much in the middle. My youngest actually threw up projectile while in the carseat :< One thing I did was put a rolled-up cloth diaper to fill in the deepest portion of the "bucket" so that he'd be just a bit less cramped and made sure his diaper was a little loose for car rides. That and we basically kept him out of anything with a waistband if at all possible. That said... when we moved him to the Brittax Marathon (rear-facing of course) car rides became much easier. I remember all too well with the little screamer in the backseat and the toddler getting wound up as a result... my heart goes out to you... good luck!

The fire department told me it wasn't safe to put any hanging things near the baby and once i tool all his toys away exceot anything he could hold in his hand he actually cries less i think because now it's less stimulation - i lthink with the window and toys it was too much.

I have the same issue with my 3 mo. old. I just decided to de-sensitize him by taking him for a ride every day after his lunch feeding. A full tummy is key. The first trip had me stopping every 5 minutes to pop his paci back in, and the car ride was short and painful. Yesterday, just 4 days later, I was able to only stop once for his paci and take an hour long drive. Today I went grocery shopping with him by himself for the first time ever! I am determined to make it a habit so he can become comfortable being in the car, even if it is difficult at times. Give it a try!

How soft is the seat under the cover? My daughter loved her carseat as soon as we added some foam to the seat bottom. In the winter the plastic was too cold and in the summer it was too hot. Once we put in some foam it helped to make the seat more comfortable. Also try singing his favorite songs to him or put on a CD in the car that you also use at bedtime. He might be lonely and confussed and need something farmiliar. Another idea is to drape a shirt that smells like you on him like a blanket so he can smell you and he might feel better.

Hi A.,
My daughter had the same problem and it lasted until she was one and we were able to turn her car seat forward. I think she just hated feeling alone back there! We tried everything, and nothing worked. The only thing i could do was have my husband drive and i tried to keep her busy. but when i was by myself it wasn't easy! It will pass... just be patient..

My daughter did the same thing and we tried everything. We ended up getting her a nice Britax car seat and turned it around at about 8 months old. I know that is too early but we couldnt take it any more. She was better after that and I think she was getting car sick from riding backwards and the infant seat is not as soft and comfy as the Britax. She is now 2 1/2 and the car is sometimes the only way I can get her to nap. So he will grow out of it soon.

I had that same problem when my daughter was 10 weeks old. Try rolling the windows down in the back seat, or turn the a/c on high. I think she liked the sound. If you would like me to email you a link to all the solutions I got, let me know.
Best of luck, I know it's not fun!
C.

If your 2 1/2 year old didn't cry during car rides, you are SO LUCKY!!! I recommend Baby Einstein's Move & Go Music Mirror. It has lights, music, talking, & (most importantly) a remote control. My first son did well if he had a pacifier in his mouth, but my second son wouldn't take a pacifier, so this mirror was the only thing that would calm him down.

C. : )

i had the same thing ... my second child hated the car seat (well, still doesn't like it that much even at 18 mos) ... honestly, the only thing that kept the trips sane for me was her pacifier and travelling during times when she would fall asleep in the seat ... she never cried or fussed any other time - just in the car ... drove me bonkers! hope you find something that works ... =)

I know that this does not sound all the greatest, but see if it works. Some babies don't like the car rides because nobody is back there with them and they can't see anything that is going on. Try getting a DVD player, you could play baby movies... where there is just sound and different colors or barney is always great! I am not to crazy about Barney but I have to say my son learned a lot from him also. Well give it a try for at least a week and if you can play the movie in the house so he can get use to the movie that way when he hears and see's it in the car he knows what it is. Good Luck

Hi A.,

I totally understand your problem! My baby did the same thing for the first 4 months. I was stuck walking distance from the house the whole time. What I realized is that she doesn't like to be in the carseat even somewhat hungry. I had to feed her to the max and then she happily fell asleep or looked around. Toys keep her occupied too, but food and pacifier (in that order) is what saved me. And, of course, time :)

Good luck to you!
I.

Hi A.,
The only thing I can think of is that maybe his seat isn't a good fit. My daughter is 1 and she also did not care to be in the car. Once we changed her seat to bigger one, it immediately improved her disposition. The straps could also need to be adjusted. Good Luck!

My now 14 month old cried like this until we faced him forward in a new seat. The one or two things that helped were when I sat in the back with him and we had a cd that we listened to a lot at home, rocking and holding, and it seemed to help in the car. But basically there was a lot of crying and stress. We ended up walking as much as possible. I think carsickness might play a role. Good luck.

HI A.,
I know how frustrating it must be to have a baby who cries in the car... Thankfully because I'm deaf, once the babies were inthe car, they learned rather quickly, that once mommy started the car, don't even bother. (Of course, this is after theyv'e been secured, fed, diapered, changed into comfy clothes, etc.) I just wanted to comment on something... someone suggested rolling down the windows or puttingthe AC on High... I would NOT do that... wind on a baby's face, actuallyt akes their breath away... so if you want your baby to periodically stop breathing,t hen by all means do it.Just a thought, I felt urged to mention that.... it's not safe. I hope it settles down soon for you, and like all of us.. eventually it'll pass... just get some ear plugs and PLUG away! Dont let a child make the routine for you, they need to learn that life goes on, uncomfortably, or not... They won't be any less happy or traumatized for it. best of luck!
S.

I'm not sure I have any real advice, but wanted to let you know my daughter, who is now almost 9 years old, screamed every time we put her in her carseat for the first 6 months of her life! We tried all kinds of things too including someone sitting next to her. Like you, I got to a point where I didn't want to travel anywhere with her. All I can say is the moment we were able to place her forward sitting, is the moment the screaming/crying stopped. So, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there.

Our son always cried in the car, so I just got in the back and leaned over to nurse him - it was a great solution for us. Good luck!

My son does this also in one car. We have two different car seats and they really make a difference. Take your baby to somewhere like Goore's or Babies R Us and sit him in a car seat. Check as many styles as he is willing. You'll know if he likes it. Maybe you can mimic some of the features... different head support, cushioning, etc. Just ask first. Maybe you'll need a new car seat. Maybe yours is intalled wrong, or has too much/not enough tilt. Goore's will install a car seat for you and teach you how to do it properly and safely. Good luck, I know how frustrating this is!

Try haveing you or your husband sit in the back seatwith him.I know it only works if you're going somewhere together,but it worked for my daughter when my best friends went places with me,he would sit in the back seat with her.Or maybe your daughter can sit right next to him to keep him entertained.

Argh! I'm going through this right now with my almost 3 month old. It can be sooo stressful! We just adjusted the belts yesterday and that helped - I think they were pressing into her now that she's growing so much. We also put a "white noise" bear in with her. It helps sometimes. Other mommies I know have stuck a cheap electric toothbrush in the car seat (tucked behind the head rest) or used a "sleep sheep" which gives you different sound options. I also make sure her pacifier is attached to the strap closest to me so I can reach around and stick it back in at stop lights - which sometimes helps. I also find that if I drive so that I hit the gas a little harder when I start, and hit bumps as often as possible, it helps her relax. Not ideal for the car but anything to stop the screaming! Good luck - hopefully this stage will pass soon.

We have 5 kids. our oldest is 8 and our youngest is 5 weeks. All of them hated the car!!! They all cried!!! Just learn to tune it out. It sounds awful, but with our oldest, I took her out of her car seat every time she cried, and it made it worse. She learned that if she cries, Mommy pulls over and takes her out. With our other children, we let them cry (after making sure there was nothing wrong with them). It worked, it was a short lived phase. They had stopped by the time they were 4 or 5 months. Just remember to never sacrifice safety. Always keep them in their car seat when driving, keep their straps tight enough that you cant fit 2 fingers between the straps and their shoulders, and never turn them forward facing when they are too young.

I have the same problem. My daughter is 2 year old but still hates riding in a car. I found such a solution - i give her my cellphone to watch some kids' videos. She becomes interested in the cartoon and calm down in a seconds. A week ago i tried ChildrenTV Application for my Android phone. It is really great. Even I watch the kids movies in it:) There is age and language selection. It is really convenient for us. Here is a link http://www.appbrain.com/app/children-tv-videos-for-kids/c.... Hope my answer will be useful for somebody. Take care!

Have you had his ears checked? Or maybe he's car sick. My little cousin was very susceptible to motion sickness and would scream every time they went anywhere.