My Baby Doesn't like Her Car Seat

Updated on October 05, 2008
B.W. asks from Bargersville, IN
13 answers

I have an almost three month old little girl. She hates riding in her car seat. Everytime we go somewhere she almost cries the entire time in the car. I have tried losening the straps a little in case they were too tight and taking off her car seat cover while in the car or in a restuarant. Nothing really works. I hardly ever leave her in it while she is awake because she gets so irritated and cries. Does anyone have any suggestions?

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So What Happened?

Still working on it. I put some rings on it yesterday and am going to try to put some things for her to look at in the car besides the seat, like a mirror or something. Thanks for all your tips...really gave me some good ideas.

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R.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

I assume there's not a little pin or staple getting her, but that's one of the first things I think about.

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M.E.

answers from Lexington on

Have you tried dangling a portable mobile or some rings or something from the handle for her to look at? or give a toy to play with while she is the car? it will keep her occupied and distracted...at least for a while. also try playing a CD of kids songs and sing along with to her. these have worked very well for my little girl.

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A.W.

answers from Lafayette on

Yeah...first of all leave her in it even if she's awake...if you get in a wreck and she's not in that car seat it can cost her her life. You may know how well you drive, but you don't know how well anybody else on the road drives. Second...you have a 3 year old right? Sit the 3 year old next to the 3 month old and let the 3 year old amuse her with some little toy. If that don't work, do what people do when their car makes funny noises that they don't want to hear...turn the radio up...or you can learn the art of block...my kids can scream in my face and I only hear them if I choose to. Either way the fact is that if you don't keep her in the car seat when she's in the car, she'll never get used to being in it and you'll always have problems. Eventually she will get used to it and the crying will stop.

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A.F.

answers from Indianapolis on

It could be possible that it HURTS her to be in it. You know how, if your back hurts, it's very painful to sit in certain positions. Try adding a little extra padding for her by folding a recieving blanket to fit behind her back and under her bottom. You may have to loosen her straps a little, but not too much. Just in case the blanket comes out from under her, you don't want her to be too lose. I don't want for you to get worried that she may be in pain, but if the problem persists, you may want to ask her doctor if they have any ideas. I doubt it's anything too serious, she may just not like to be around other people that much and knows that that car seat takes her around crouds. Good luck!

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J.C.

answers from Louisville on

One of my twins went through the same thing. We went though 4 car seats . then when we went to the store for the final car seat, we held on to her and fitted her by trying her in diffrent seats at the store. since they are all diffrent, the fits are diffrent. We found the one that fits here better. Also, your child just might not like the motion of the car. Alot of infants are having baby car sickness. May not vomit, but the motion of the vehicle is upsetting. maybe a portable DVD player with a music Cd or something colorful and musical like baby einstiens.etc.. Although 3 months is young for T.V the colors and music might help with the fussyness and if she is infact not just liking the ride, give her something else to grasp her attention.

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A.C.

answers from Lexington on

My 12 month old never liked being in her car seat. We did the same things you tried, but to no avail. She never slept for more than 45 minutes. Sadly, she still doesn't sleep (20 minutes tops, even during nap times). But we put our portable dvd player in the car and show her Baby Einstein dvds for trips over ten minutes. She no longer fusses in the car, even when she is not watching videos. But the only down side is she starts pounding the dvd player if she sees it, trying to turn it on everytime we put her in her carseat! We just hide it under blankets if we don't want her watching it. I hope this helps.

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N.D.

answers from Lafayette on

I know that all children are different, but my daughter also hates her carseat. She is 13 months old and nothing that we have done has helped. We are now on our 3rd car seat thinking that maybe it was the seat that she didnt like, that has not helped. I have bought the toys, sat in back with her myself, shown her movies~and nothing! My doctor says that it is just something that has to pass. Of course my daughter used to sleep in her seat until about 3 months, but now she doesnt sleep at all either. I think some children are just difficult. I know how you feel though, my daughter will scream for a whole 1 1/2 trip~both ways!! I have just taken my doctors advice~ dont cater to their crying in the car, the child has to learn that they have to be in the car seat. I know this is hard and it breaks my heart, but our situation is getting much better. My daughter now only cries in the car at night. Good Luck!

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S.M.

answers from Indianapolis on

I want to strongly advise you not to put any padding behind her in the seat. I belong to a breastfeeding support group and we had a lady from AAA come in to discuss car seat safety. That is a big no-no! Anyway, my daughter did the same thing. You just need to give it some time and it will pass. It's almost a phase they go through. She hated it as well and screamed, but I gave it some time--about a month--and she gave up on the whole crying fit. She will eventually get used to the idea of having to be in there. Let me ask this... how long do you keep her strapped in there? If for long periods of time, I advise against that for now, simply b/c it may be too long for her to sit still in the seat strapped in. Keep your trips short, I know it's self-sacrificing, but try not to keep her in there too long and soon she shouldn't mind being in it so much.

I also agree with Holly about the positioning of the car seat. This may make it more comfortable for her.

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A.S.

answers from Charleston on

I think one way to get her more used to the seat is to actually keep her in it. Make it something fun. While in your house instead of putting her in the bouncy seat-put her in her carseat...continue to interact with her sing, clap, etc. This may take several times to work...but my daughter hated her seat at first also...and this worked. Good luck!

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D.E.

answers from Wheeling on

I know all kids are diffrent so I can only hope this will work if you haven't already tried it, but I hung toys from the handle so they would have something to look at and at 3 months she can play with it.. Good luck to ya
D. E

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H.M.

answers from Indianapolis on

Double check the angle and positioning with a certified car seat inspector. Our first son also hated his seat, until we readjusted the position in our car. We found the little gage on the seat (you know, it's supposed to tell if it's at the correct 45-degree ange) was only a guestimate, and the seat just needed to be adjusted a little more for him to be comfortable!

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T.B.

answers from Muncie on

B.,

Okay, so you aren't going to like this answer....but my daughter was like this until she turned old enough for us to turn her forward facing....screaming, crying....it was a horrible year....

So just hang in there...only ting that worked was a little toy that "dangled" from the top of her car seat over her head.... it would work for a little while...like for 5 or 10 minutes but then screaming again. And her biggest brother sometimes could get her to stop but only for a few minutes.

Good Luck!

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A.D.

answers from Louisville on

What kind of car seat is it? If it's one of the lil ones I'd try one of the convertable ones. I have a big on for my son and he loves it. But she might not like the fact she can't see out and the bigger ones sit higher. Just make sure it's for her weight. I have other ideas if u'd like to message me.... I hope this helps a lil....

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