Crying question

Jamison'smama wrote: Okay, Jack is 6 weeks, he hates the car soooo much and sobs and sobs the entire way anywhere. THe problem is, we live 45 minutes away from most places we go so it is a problem. At home, I never let him cry for more than a couple of minutes--I get to him as soon as I can each time. In the car, I can pull over, get him out, feed him, hold him, he is happy as can be but as soon as he gets back in the carseat---sobbing begins. Nothing has worked, music, a lighted mirror, NOTHING.

What can I do here, if I don't believe in CIO but I don't pick him up for 30 minutes when he is in the car crying I feel like I am going against my basic parenting philosophy.

Aren't kids supposed to love the car? Jamison loved it and would sleep! Not this child--he'll wake up when I put him in there.

Suggestions?

Josie83 replied: You have probably done this, but just wondering if it might be the car seat or what he is wearing when he's in the car seat that's bothering him. Or could he be too hot or cold? other than that, I have no idea Maybe he will get used to it in time, could it be that he doesn't like not being able to see or hear you? xx

Kaitlin'smom replied: humm I was thinking the car seat might be bothering him, like some little thing poking or rubbing the wrong way. Does he ever sit in a bouncy seat ro swing. i am wondering if the position bothers him. Have you sat in the back with him when the family goes out? What about putting somethign of yours like a t-shirt or something that smealls like you. I know you said you tried music, but what types ar eyou using...was there anything that you can remember you listen to also while PG? I am just throwing out ideas hear.

Jamison'smama replied:
I don't think there is anything in the seat that could bother him although I might try taking out the fleece liner thing that is in there that we use for warmth and just try blankets. I think it is being confined---but I'm not sure. Something that smells like me is a good idea--I will wear a burpcloth under my shirt for a while and lay that in there with him--good idea. I have tried music, talk radio, Jama's videos etc. I haven't sat with him, DH did once but we just recently (last week) got a car where we could fit a third person in the backseat. I will try that also but usually it is just the kids and I on the journey of tears.

jcc64 replied:
OK, that made me laugh....

I second (or third) the carseat thing. I would try another one, maybe borrow a friend's? Corey was no car lover, until we hooked her up with a more comfy seat. She really never liked the infant one (a Graco Snugride, I think). We upgraded to a Britax Roundabout, and she morphed into a real joy-rider. Good luck.

kit_kats_mom replied: k used to HATE riding in the car when she was in the infant carrier. I bought a "white sounds" cd and played it really loud in the car and she usually calmed down after a few minutes. It had heartbeat, windshield wipers, waterfall and vaccum sounds. she loved it.

ediep replied: Have you tried bringing the carseat in the house and put him in? at the very least, I'll bet that will tell you if its the seat he hates or being in the car that he hates.

Good Luck!!!!

Kaitlin'smom replied:
good point

coasterqueen replied: Sorry no advice for you here. Kylie was the same way but if we had to travel distances like that then both DH and I would go so one could sit in the back with her. I know not probably something you can do...it really put a crimp in anything we did that's for sure.

MommyToAshley replied: Ashley didn't mind the carseat except when it was dark out. If she were in the carseat when it was dark, she would scream. I think she was scared of the flashes of light from the street lights and car lights as we passed them. Eventually she outgrew it. So, maybe there is something in the backseat of the car that is scarey to him? Something dangling or a mirror that would reflect light? Or, could the sun be getting in his eyes? I am sure you already thought of this, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

loveydad replied: Man Peter was like that for a while too. FInally he got over it. You're not going against your parents philosophy for doing it because - guess what, isn't one of your more important philosophies that you should keep him safe? He's safest in his carseat even if he does cry.

Sorry no advice but i've been there too. Tracy used tto and I put him in her carseat inside with baby einstien or something on. She was content then.

texasp3 replied: Here's something you might consider... we see a chiropractor for our whole family - including Gabriel (she specializes in prenatal and pediatric treatments- VERY different from standard adult treatments!).

She told me to check the foam padding on my infant carrier - that almost all of the manufacturers stop the padding about 2/3 to 3/4 of the way down the seat back. Unfortunately, this creates a drop off for baby's spine - uneven support that can be very uncomfortable. In fact, Gabriel did HATE his infant carrier and scream when he was in it until I checked on this and found the padding did stop about 3/4 of the way down the seat back. I simply added similar padding so that he had even support, and he stopped hating his car seat. I did the same thing for his swing and he went from hating it to loving it as well.

I'm not saying that's going to work for ya'll... some babies just HATE cars for some reason.

loveydad replied: I never thought of that! That is a great idea!