My 4 Month Screams in His Carseat!

He may just be at that age! As afar as the car seat goes, do the straps seem to fit comfortably? Is it possible that he's getting too hot? He may just want to be more independent and dislike being confined. Try more tummy time, & other ways to prop him like a boppy or bumbo chair. Good luck!

I really do not have any magic tricks but my daughter, now 13 used to give us fits in the car seat. As she got older and could talk we discovered she was prone to motion sickness. Just a thought. I used to give her a dose of benedryl when we would go farther than 20 miles and it seemed to help. That is what the pharmacy reccommended when she was to young for motion sickness medicine. Thankfully she isn't as bad as she used to be. All the items you mentioned that he does not like anymore might just be giving him motion sickness.

It seems that both of my girls went through a time when they hated their car seat and not much you can do about that. You could make sure the straps are not too tight, and you could also get a mirror that attaches to the head rest on the seat, they are made so you can see him in the rear view mirror, but my daughter loved looking at herself in it. It could also be that he's teething and that's why he wants you to hold him more. When you put him in his bouncy seat can he see you-one of my favorite times of day was setting the girls in the bouncy seat on the kitchen floor and talk to them while I was making dinner. (It's not that easy anymore, they are 17 mos and 3 1/2)

Our daughter did this exact same thing at about 3 months old and it continued for about 1-2 months for no apparent reason. It would drive me absolutely insane until I reached my destination and I figured that when I was at a red light folks probably thought I was abusing my child in some way. There was nothing I could do and it just stopped. The things our kids put us through!!! GOOD LUCK!!

I would say check to make sure the straps aren't too tight. I had a friend who this happened too and she didn't notice that he had grown a bit and didn't notice that he was squished. There should be space for approx. one finger under the strap at the shoulder. good luck.

You have to leave him in that car seat. Even though it may hurt you to hear him cry, think of what might happen if he were not in it. Try putting up one of those mirrors where you can see him, and maybe he can see you too. Good luck!

Consult your physician first, then make sure he's comfortable, don't keep him in one place for long peroids of time, and then let him screem. If he gets his way when he screams then he'll continue, if he doesn't then he'll soon figure out all he's doing is making himself tired. lol

It sounds to me like he is cutting teeth. My daughter did this when she cut her teeth and the only thing I can reason is that when she was made to sit somewhere and her mind wasn't active is when she started to realize "hey, my mouth hurts." If it is his teeth of course all of the teeth pain management options can apply, but also try keeping his mind active while he's in his carseat. Get one of those toy bars that strap across it or maybe try a portable DVD player.

Happened to my active little boy around the same time (3 or 4 months old) I was lucky because it was a quick fix for us. We just took out the baby head stabalizer (poofy thing that kept head in place) in the carseat because it was getting too small for him and he hated feeling his head squished. It was ok because by then he had control of his neck and head so he was wanting to look around. As for setting him down in a infant seat, do you feel like you have sat down to play with him several times during the day or do you mostly drop him in the play yard with a toy or leaving him in an Exersaucer while you start dinner? If so, he may feel that being held is the only way to get your attention. Obviously, you have to set him down to get things done but he first needs to feel he's getting enough comfort and attention in other ways besides using mom as a taxi. :)

*make sure all basic needs are met (wet diaper, hunger, too cold, etc.)

*Play with him on the floor on his tummy several times a day. As he learns new skills on his tummy, (scooting and crawling, etc.) he'll be better about exploring and entertaining himself.

*bring out some new toys (he'll love shiny mixing bowls with a rubber spatula, measuring cups, etc.)

*have two or three toys in reach but not too many, he'll get overwhelmed.

*Try change of scenery, try letting him explore in your bedroom or play in the infant seat in a bathroom or in front of a mirror.

*if these don't work, set him down, play with him for a few moments to distract him, then casually get up and go do what you need to do but be in earshot and maybe play peekabo around the corner or sing to him. Come back to reassure him often if he cries but don't pick him up. You can eventually leave him longer and longer periods with this.

Hope this helps.

Mine was the same way. Do you have a sling or babycarrier? That might help. He's probably bored or just at a needy time. Try toys in the carseat. We just had to let her cry in the car and eventually she gave up. Theres not much you can do there because they have to be in the carseat. At home you could carry him around in a sling or carrier while you tend to your other child. Or find ways to entertain him, like tummy time with toys.

I would give him a sedative.

My second son did the same thing at the same time. We later learned that he had reflux, but not soon enough and he went through nearly four months of needing to be held constantly (I just didn't have the stomach for letting him scream more than twenty minutes or so, and even that was pure torture). He did grow out of it, though, and the car crying was the first to end. Hang in there and check to see if you see any other signs of reflux -- catching it early will definitely shorten the unhappy times!

I had one that did the same thing. He ended up having reflux. Check with your pediatrician.

Could it be a tummy ache/reflux, teeth or other medical problem? My son had reflux and hated his carseat because it caused him to crunch his belly and made his reflux worse.

For at home, you should consider a baby carrier, like a sling wrap or meitai. Then you could give him the closeness/holding that he wants while still being able to chase after your daughter. You can go to www.thebabywearer.com or www.attachedtobaby.com for more info and types of carriers. I'm pretty sure there is a babywearing group in Tulsa and in Little Rock, if you want to drive for a meeting.

First, think back and remember if he could have been injured. (My sister had a baby who fussed a lot and, looking back, they think she may have been hurting because of a car accident they'd been in - they'd all been checked out, but sometimes small injuries are missed) Also, it is possible he isn't feeling good. You should consult your dr.
Another tip - you needn't 'divide' your time between your kids. Four month olds take more time (at least a different kind of time) than 2 year olds. Share your time. Let your 2 year old be involved in baby's care. Talk to her about what you're doing and what baby might be thinking, feeling, etc, while you feed him, change diapers, etc. When she was a baby, she took more of your time, talk to her about that. . .
My first two kids were that close in age and I read to the older while I fed baby. I breast-fed her, so had free hand to hold book and turn pages, but the older child could be involved in that. (Sometimes we had a tea party during feeding time.)
Judy

Wow, my daughter is almost 4 months and that is exactly how she is!! She no longer wants to sit in her bouncy seat or swing and doesn't enjoy stroller rides as much anymore (in the carseat which attaches to the stroller), would rather be held too. It's also harder to get her to fall asleep for a nap or at night. She is also fussier than she used to be (except when she had her reflux/spitting up problem) AND she is drooling excessively. My guess is she may be starting to teeth, which would explain the drooling and fussiness. So maybe that is what could be going on with yours? I will mention that she still loooooooooves the Baby Bjorn front carrier, so I usually just walk around with her in that. Good luck, I'm in the same boat!

Oh, A., please try to find time each day to take 10 minutes to do relaxation techniques. These children who need so much attention are very trying. Maybe your son doesn't like the feeling of being restrained, so if you could loosen the straps some? Also, for a couple of months, make your trips in the car right after his naps when babies tend to be happiest. Remember that all children are different, he may be a "cryer" while your daughter may be a "helper" and the time you give her will be allowing her to help with the "cryer". IF you think a car DVD player would help in the car that also would be a good investment, he should be interested in Baby Enstein by now and the music is soothing to children vs the music on the radio. If you really can't afford these items, then look on craig's list or ebaby? You will be in my prayers.

Awh, poor little thing wants OUT ! But keep him in that seat !!!!!!!!!!!! A good observation you made that he behaves this way in other 'restraints'. It sounds more like he wants Mommy bouncing him around! Wish you could get in the bouncy seat/swing and let him see how much fun it is!! I'd love one myself. He'll get over it , but don't give in or you'll be carrying him the rest of your life ;-)) Walk with him in front. Dance around!
All the best____________

I would check that car seat thoroughly for sharp or painful spots. We always kept a sheepskin in my son's car seat because there is very little between the hard plastic and their soft little body. With the sheepskin we had to adjust the straps out a bit but he loved being in his carseat.

Inspect your carseat and make sure it is not hurting. MAybe the straps are too tight.
M

One thing that really worked for us is to create a "magic CD". From the time my son was born, I picked a children's CD that I could stand to listen to over and over and we played it non-stop when he was in the car. By around 3 months, if he cried in the car, we only had to put in the CD and he would stop suddenly! The CD I chose was Laurie Berkner "Victor Vito". It takes a few weeks to work, but it's SO worth it. Now, he's 2 and we don't need to listen to it really anymore. But, it's a great CD and we do sometimes. Some others I recommend are Dan Zanes and Dee Carstensen.

Hi A.

I too know what you are going through!! My oldest did that until she was close to a year!! To this day I have no idea as to why she did! I know that now being 9 she still hates to ride for any certain amount of time because she tells me she begins to feel sick(car sick I guess) and gets a headache! As Soon as she gets out she is fine and lets me know that she feels better!
My youngest did the same when she was about 5 months and it usually had to do with things like, needing to be burped, most of the time it was usually a stomach issue or the simple fact that they do want to be held!!!

Has he had a checkup lately? Could it be an ear infection? A sudden change in behavior is certainly something to bring up with your pediatrician.

this won't work for the car, but you could get a pouch sling, ring sling, or an asian style baby carrier (similar to a snuggli only made with fabric and prettier) and wear your baby while you're doing things with your 2 yr old.

check out thebabywearer.com for info about all the different styes of carriers out there.

My first child (now 8) did this from the time she was about 5 months old until she was 3. (no joke) They MUST ride in the carseat and they need to get use to it. I could see if you were in the car every day for 3 or 4 hours that would be an issue and is not healthy for a child. It just sounds like though that your travels so far are not extended. I would have to say devert the little ones attention if possible. Buy one of those carseat things that are brightly colored or makes noise. (sometimes this helps, not always for every child) Does he take a pacifier? Does he have a blanket that comforts him or a burp rag (that worked with my 2nd). Are you leaving the house too close to a feeding? Try planning your trips out during the day and feed him right before you leave. Maybe he is getting hungry or if you are going during his nap time it might be making him a little fussy by changing up his routine. Also he could have gas, mine had this terribly as well. You will have to be the one to try all of these things and weed out which one you think it is. There is not one solution because all babies are different just like each mom is different. Good luck!