I Think My Baby Is Claustrophobic!

Hi S.,
try to have her around and lay on the carseat at home for sometime. while plan with or feeding her, let her to be familiar with the carseat. or sometimes, the color and the smell of the cover may sensitive her. I remember my baby had that problem when she at that time.
H.

Try holding her in different positions, such as over the shoulder, or face down on your fore arm and rock slightly. my son was kind of like that but sometimes it just takes letting them cry it out. try some soothing music. if all else fails see if maybe she hurts somewhere. and go from there.

Hi S. -

Some people might think this is woo-woo, but my suggestion is that you read a fantastic little book called "Children's Past Lives" which addresses all the phobias of children and their origins. It has helped me have an even better connection to my son and every person that I know who reads it...LOVES it! Good luck to you.
- L.

S.,
My son was the same way. He wouldn't sit in anything without howling. He didn't like to be swaddled, no swing, no bouncer, carseat, nothing. This lasted from the time he was a newborn until he was about 6 months old. I think at some point he realized that if he cried, he stayed at home. Once he would sit in his carseat, like a NORMAL child, he got to get out of the house. Just my thoughts and experiences......hang in there and hopefully she will grow out of it, like my son did. However, to this day, he won't sit in a cart.
Good luck, J.

Oh my Gosh!!! This brings back some (horrible) memories. I refused to go anywhere because my son, who is now 3, was the EXACT same way!!! From the second we put him in the car to come home from the hospital. I tried everything. Toys, music, sitting with him, giving him a bottle in the car. EVERYTHING! The only thing that worked, was when he was able to face forward. Then, it was like Magic. He was fine. I wish I could give you some random cure all, magical solution. Believe me, I know you could probably use it right now. I wish you tons of luck, and let us know how things go.

she might be colicky or she might have gas. If no matter what u do if u hold her and she tries to put her legs up to her stomach it is a good sign that she is colicky. But you could also ask her docter and see what the docter suggests. it is hard to tell if you are not the one dealing with the baby but from what i hear i would say colick or gas maybe even and ear infection.

I never had that problem with my son, but I do have a suggestion for something to try. (This will work easier if you are using an infant carseat that you can unclip and bring inside). You might try bringing the carseat inside and putting your daughter in it while she naps. I think it will help her get used to the carseat. Baby's skin is very sensitive and if hers is extra sensitive, that may be part of the problem. It will likely be hard at first since she already doesn't like the thing, but babies will eventually fall asleep. Hope you find something that works.

Wow, sorry hun. You could try sitting the carseat in the living room with her and then when she gets used to the idea of it being there put her in it for playtime. If she sees the seat as a fun thing then it won't be so hard for her to make the transition to the car. It sounds like you have a very ambitious baby. If being restrained in any way bothers her then that means she wants to be free to move, in turn meaning that she wants to explore. This is a very good thing for her and will be the cause of much hair loss on your part as she gets older and into more amd more in her daily adventures. Ya got a smart one on your hands. Hope the advice helps please let me know. B.

TRY A VIBRATING BOUNCER OR A SWING BUT WHEN YOU PUT HER IN A SWING PLACE A BLANKET AROUND HER CAUSE SHE'LL BE A LIL SMALL AND THEN PUT THE SWING ON SLOW. SHE'LL FIRST LOOK LIKE SHE IS A LIL FRIGHTEN BUT SHE'LL GET USE TO THE SWING AND STOP CRYING. I PROMISE I DID THE SAME THING WITH MY GIRLS. AND NEPHEW. THIS REALLY WORKS. MY FAVORITE WAS THE SWING. I HAD MY BABIES ON IT TILL THEY WERE ABLE TO STOP AND HOLD THE SWING LEG THEN I TOOK THEM OUT AND THEY WENT INTO THE STROLLER OR THE DOOR BOUNCER.

I can't help but giggle when I read your response...my daughter was the SAME WAY!!! I thought she was the ONLY baby that didn't like to be swaddled! But you know, all children are quarky, just as adults are. Part of the difficult thing about being a parent is getting to know a new person, when they can't talk to communicate! :)

Take a deep breath, laugh at the fact your child has to do everything "different" (I know that helped for us...) and try to think "outside the box". There's nothing you can do about the car seat...for her own safety, she has to ride in it. Maybe try sining her songs or something (probably something you've already tried doing)...but that worked for us...I remember there was months we couldn't listen to the radio becuase my job was driving...and singing! But at least it kept her content.

So...good luck! And keep trying different solutions...you'll eventually find something that works...or even better...she'll grow out of it! :)

there are a lot of cheap toys you can buy that can attach to any carseat. maybe you could try one with lights and sounds, that might be enough to distract her or even make her happy. Mirrors are really good too, babies love looking in mirrors even if they don't realize they are looking at themselves.

Hello all I can say is she will outgrow it. My son was the same way for the first 6 months or so and they one day he was just ok. I know it is hard and fustrating but eventually time will make it better. I wish you luck.