My 16 Month Old Hates the Car Seat

I would have to say it might be the car seat, it may be uncoomfortable for her. And although you might not see any discomfort, doesnt mean it is not there. Or there is the possibility she gets sick in the car, not throwing up, but that feeling, and it is automatic, you put her in there and she knows what is going to happen.

maybe her seat is uncomfortable. Is there any way you can move her seat so it is the middle and she can see in to the front area?(If your back seat seats three)Maybe the seat belt is uncomfortable for her too. It's tough when she can't really communicate to tell you what's wrong, but i've found it''s usually more of a comfort issue, and feeling like they are far away from you. Try some of those gadgets to make the seat belt stay in the right place for her.

Have you tried getting a new car seat? Maybe the one you have her in is very uncomfortable for her. Also try checking to see if maybe there is something that might be pinching or poking her in the car seat,or if the belt straps may be rubbing on her the wrong way or if they are too tight.
It might also depend on the type of car seat your using. Are you still using the infant car seat that you had for her when she was just born? You might want to try maybe switching her to a booster seat. She might be telling you it's that time to switch. With my daughter I switched her seats about 4 times. I finally put her in her booster seat just alittle b4 she turned 2. Check with a specialist if you have any concerns about your child's safety if you do plan to go with a booster seat. Make sure she's ready for the change.
I hope this helps.

Hey C.,
I pulled this off a website when I was looking for a similar issue.. but with my 5 year old who wont keep her bottom on her seat.. she insists on sitting on her knees!
Hope you find it helpful.

S. Ashley
http://www.workathomeunited.com/S.

Question: My toddler throws a tantrum every time I try to put him in his car seat. Should I force him in or wait around and hope he'll comply?

Answer: That depends. Does waiting lead to your son complying? If so, then by all means do it. Making you wait is probably just his way of asserting himself and telling you that he wants to get in the seat himself, rather than having you put him in. If that's the case, it may help if he can actually get himself in and learn to do the straps up, too. You could make a game of hiding your eyes until he calls "ready" (and then check those fastenings).

Once they get into a head-to-head with a parent, though, toddlers often need some extra motivation to meet Mom or Dad halfway. Since most children like going places, the best way to get your toddler into his car seat may be to simply point out that nobody's going anywhere until he's securely strapped in. Of course, sitting in the car in your own driveway with the engine off is boring for you, too. But as long as you don't give up and let him use the adult seatbelt "just this once," it will work.

What's more, once he knows that you'll never, ever start the car until he's properly buckled up, he'll probably stop picking that particular fight — at which point you could reward his cooperation (however slow and reluctant!) by putting on a CD he loves or handing him glass-stickers to put on his window.

could she be getting car sick? my 2 year old does and it could be for a 10 min drive to the store or a 3 hour drive to visit family. check with the dr about motion sickness pills like dramamine or something herbal. it may help. the only other thing i can think of is to take her to the store and have her pick out a big girls car seat. or maybe some patches for her to decorate it with from the craft section. they are a little expensive depending on what she wants but maybe with her new chair being the princess thrown she will be more excited to get in the car. good luck. B. fl sahm boys 10 and 3 plus twin girls 2

Hi C.,
I have a 15 month old son who hates his car seat and even when we changed it with that of his sister, who is older than him, he still cries. well, what I decided to do was to let him cry. by the third time he cried less, and started to be interested in watching the DVD. I have still this problem if we are travelling a long way though.
I think the best way is to ignore the crying and be patient . so good luck C..

This may sound really stupid, but maybe the straps are TOO tight? They should definitely be snug, but maybe you aren't realizing how tight you are putting them? My daughter used to complain and then I realized i was really strapping her in VERY tight and it probably was hurting her a little. The 5 point harness buckle should be up at her armpits and snug enough that you can only fit 2 fingers underneath. I hope this helps.

I feel you pain, my 4 month old loves papa's truck becuse of the sound so I tried turning up the white noise and WOW it works, even sometimes turning on the radio to a deep song, or natural sounds, she is just fine. I hope this helps...

Hi! Just wanted to let you know,you are not alone, my fifteen month son just started to be very fussy in his seat (was fine before). I just try to ignore his fussing and focus on my driving and breathe(he has plenty of toys and a cup within reach). I know his straps are not too tight. He has become a very good walker and I think he just doesn't want to be confined. I am hoping that this is just a phase!!
J.:)

Bring it inside and let her get used to it in a different =environment.
Pam

Both of my kids also went through this phase, and I think it's part of the seperation anxiety phase. I tried holding their hand with one hand and driving with the other until they calmed down. Sometimes it worked; sometimes it didn't. If the whole family is going together, one parent can try sitting with her in the backseat. In the event that she can't be soothed, she needs to learn that a carseat is simply a non-negotiable. Even Dr. Sears, who is against letting babies cry, says that this is one instance when you just have to let them. Don't worry! My kids grew out of this phase, and so will little Emily. But, I know how frustrating it is to ride through town with a siren in the backseat!

I watched an episode of Supernanny that showed the same problem. She had them bring the carseats into the house and let the kids be around them. Want to sit in them. They didn't have any problems after that. Good luck.

Did you make sure the straps weren't too tight? They could be hurting her.