4 Month Old Hates the Car

My baby did great until the 4 month mark too. I would try to constantly give him the paci and it would sometimes work. Then I was giving him gas drops before the car ride because I thought maybe he had gas. It worked, but I also started pulling the sun shield down so he can't see out the window. That's all I do now, and no crying now. I think he was getting motion sickness. (He would stop crying when we would stop the car at a light for example.) He never threw up but I think the motion upset his stomach. I got sick in the car as a child so I don't think its so far fetched. Try blocking his view so he can't see the motion outside the car.

Play kids music, give a lovey or try to drive during naps?
Good luck! It'll be easier when u turn baby around to face you.

Also, I bought a mirror w toys on it attached to headrest so my baby looks at himself while I drive and pulls the toys. Its really a mirror for tummy time but works great in car. Has 2 strings on top for tying into crib.

Hi

I would also make sure the back of the window is covered with a glare protector...it will keep things cooler back there. You could also try redirecting the fan vents so the blow cooler air closer to him or attach a battery operated fan to something closer to him. Do you have some hanging toys for him to look at back there. Not sure if he is in a n infant seat or a regular rear facing seat, but you may want to try a different seat that he is allowed it.

Good luck!

I used to have a mirror on the back of the seat facing the baby and that really helped. It was one of those mirrors that attached somehow to the back of the seat, facing the baby. It had a remote control on it that played music and lights on it lit up. The baby could see herself in the mirror, and I could see the baby's face in the mirror when I looked through the rearview. Baby Einstein Lights and Melodies Mirror is just like it, look up baby car mirror on Amazon.

My daughter had GERD and issues with her stomach. The pediatrician told us that some babies get car sick facing backwards. We visited family who live on a private road and the driveway is super long so we turned her around and drove up and down the driveway...not a peep! Turned her backwards again and she howled.
We did a lot of trial and error stuff... not too full of milk before a drive, a good burping, mirror, and the toy thing that hung from the seat were the magic trick for us.
I was counting the days to turn her forward. Good luck!!

They'll also sweat a lot more if they are crying and screaming.

Just be patient. My daughter hated the car seat when she was an infant. I had to deal with the screaming until she was big enough to face forward. She also hated the stroller. We had such fun times!!!! But just to be sure, check that the straps aren't pinching him in some way. Good luck and turn on the radio when the screaming starts:)

Maybe you can cool the car off before he is put in it and put a cloth diaper or receiving blanket on the car seat under him to absorb some heat. Also make sure the straps arent too tight and change the tilt if you can. It might be too far back or too upright. And if you move him out of the center make sure no sun is shining on him.

It is probably riding backwards that is bothering him. Some babies do much better facing forward so they can see what's going on. I am not sure what the age requirement is that you can move the car seats direction. Does he cry as soon as you put him in or once the car starts moving. That may help you to figure out if the seat is uncomfortable or the ride is what he doesn't like. Good luck it will get better in time.

Hi G.,

When my son was born, we also had a Greco for him and he too, would sweat. I needed to place a thin cotton towel (burp rag, thin hospital blanket, etc) under him to keep him from sweating in there.

Good luck.

-J.

I have a 6 mo. old who also hates riding in her car seat. This is a new one for her (the other children all had a different infant seat) and it is also a Graco. When we take her out she is sweating as well. Eventhough she is still small enough to fit in the infant car seat we are going to switch her to her toddler car seat (rear-facing) to see if that makes a difference. I also have other children in the car (7 yr., 4 1/2 yr., and 2 1/2 yr.) who get very frustrated when she screams in the car. Maybe the seat is too uncomfortable for them.

I tried another car seat from a friend.. and he loved it much better than the one I had.. so I had to go out and buy a new one.. not happy about buying another one.. but it lasted until he was 3.. so it was a good thing.. and he loved it.. it was roomier.. and had the 5 point straps system.. he was much happier in the car.. also he hated being turned backwards in the car.. he wanted to be facing forward.. it worked.. maybe you can buy one try it out.. if it doesn't work.. bring it back.. good luck