Car rides

Hey! May 2024 toddler here and it’s still difficult. We can go around 45 mins with someone in the back and 30 mins when it’s just me. He’s always hated the car seat. I’ve just accepted it and made adjustments. I did however do the following things: Get into the car everyday, even if it was just to drive around the block or to get a coffee. Made sure his seat fit correctly and sized up as early (and safely) as i possibly could - this helped a lot as I think the newborn/baby car seats are quite uncomfortable. Tried to engage with him as much as I could : talking, singing. Don’t ever let your emotions get the better of you as I’m sure they can sense it. Acceptance. Some babies and toddlers will just not like it and there are no toys in the world that will help. When I accepted it and made adjustments accordingly it became a lot easier. Hunger/or tired. Never ever drive if they are either! One day I will be able to take a long road trip with my toddler, not quite yet but soon 🙌

Had the same issue until we bought our baby an aquarium. It’s the - Baby Einstein Sea Dreams Soother Musical Crib Toy and Sound Machine. It’s for the brain but we attached it to the headrest of the car seat.

Oh yeah, a friend said her daughter cried the first year and then they adjusted the car seat. She had acid reflux so when they adjusted to sit up more she stopped crying.

*crib not brain 😳

Are you using an infant seat? My daughter hated her infant seat so we switched her to a convertible after just a couple of weeks and she was much happier.

@Gina This is great, she loves baby Einstein. Thank you so much!!

@Makayla yes it is infant, but it’s supposed to last her a few years. Didn’t know you could switch them so early :o

@Emma thank you for the words of wisdom and encouragement. I can definitely get stressed about it. It’s just torture to hear her cry 😩

@Kourtney some convertible car seats can be used as young as newborn. Check the minimum weight requirements. Since my daughter hated the infant seat, we have had my son in a convertible seat since day one! He came home from the hospital in it. We use the Nuna Rava which is rated for 5-50lbs rear facing.

Some babies like mine hate carseats (and strollers). It’s a thing that improves with age, but some take a long time to get there. I try to keep rides short but I go out everyday, so she at least has a neutral/positive experience each time. What works for us is: 1) normal baby book 2) crinkly baby book 3) talking baby book. We have one that makes animal noises 4) captain calamari toy 5) crinkle ball 6) teethers 7) easy to hold balls 8) Britax convex mirror 9) music playlist from her music classes, because she is used to zoning out to these I know it’s a lot lol but this is what’s needed for my baby not to have a meltdown in the carseat.

We have a mirror, that he can see himself and I can then see him in my rear view mirror. It works great as a little distraction. I also always give him a toy or two that also act as teethers that attach to his car seat side or shirt. We always make sure there is extra time to get settled in the car. He tends to be less fussy when I give him extra attention before I leave.

@Gina I have this same setup in my car!! Haha! Great minds :) For us it worked well until the new wore off.