SCREAMING in the carseat...ack!

[jd11365]

I can't take it anymore. I'm avoiding going places in fear of having to listen to the constant screaming. Today my friend and I drove together and I felt so bad that she and her DS had to listen to Kayla scream at the top of her lungs for the 40 minute drive. My mom, DH, friends all say to go FF, but I bought the Marathon to stay RF as long as I could...and I know deep down it's safer. But I just can't take the screaming anymore. She had full blown snot-bubbles from working herself up so much today. BTW, we've tried toys, pacifier, music (which sometimes works)...but nothing is really successful. And if she sees me or I turn to hold her hand she gets even more mad...like I'm avoiding her on purpose. Suggestions?

Jamie
Mommy to Kayla
5-1-03

[houseof3boys]

Ooooh, the dreaded snot bubbles. Ryan gets those and it cracks me up.

I don't have much advice since Ryan seems fine in his RA and his Marathon. Don't turn her around though Jamie!!!! We actually have somewhat of a routine when I put him in the carseat. I sing a little Debbi song something like "we have to buckle buckle, then we snap snap..." then he gets a toy (a FP block) and another squishy toy for the other hand and then I say we are on our way what a good boy. Don't know if that means anything but so far he has never protested to being in the seat. Do you have one of those mirrors? I assume you do since you saw the snot bubbles and said if she sees you.

Hmmm, perhaps some more experienced mommies can help more but try to keep her rear facing. People drive like maniacs and I want little Kayla to be as safe as she can be!!!! I'll have Ryan send her some carseat happy vibes for you. :)

[Lynnie]

do you ever give her bottles ?? if so, they have this one kind with a really long extension that holds the nipple so a baby can drink from it by herself. i bought one to try with my son who always screamed - although i don't think i ever figured out how to use it, i will if my next one is a screamer. or if there are people in the car, they could give her a bottle. i did breast feed for the most part, but at moments like the one you are describing, i was very glad to have a bottle.

good luck !

[babymama]

We've had good luck with the Tiny Love On-the-Go mobile. I know the car seat safety people say not to put anything on or around the seat that didn't come with the seat, but I had to have some relief. DS gets distracted by watching the shiny bugs go round and round and listening to the music. He occassionally still has a meltdown. It's totally agonizing, and I find that I can't fully concentrate on driving bc I'm trying to help him (even though nothing seems to help). Haven't seen any snot bubbles yet, but I'm sure those will come. Have to say though, DS's meltdown's happen much less frequently since we've been using the Tiny Love mobile. Not sure if a mobile will hold your 11-mo-old's attention??? Maybe worth a try. You seem to have tried all the other things I would recommend.
hang in there! We'll send you good drive time vibes from here.

Mama to Santiago, born 11/16/03

I hear ya, Jamie! DS doesn't always scream for the whole trip, but I hate putting him in the carseat. And lord knows, if we are out too long or buckle him in too many times, he's a very loud protester back there! DH sooo wants to turn him FF at a year, and I keep saying "NO!" But I agree, it's very tempting. I mean, he gets toys, we sing to him, play music, whatever, but he's got a mind of his own lately, and if his plans didn't include being strapped into a seat, you're gonna hear about it!

Oh, I remember this. My son did this til he was about 4 months old. It stopped once he was out the infant seat and in the big car seat. I can really sympathize with you because I too avoided going anywhere that wasn't 15 minutes or less from my house. Thats about as long as I could stand it. I would ask anyone and everyone for their advice. So here is some helpful hints that others have shared with me: first, make sure there isn't anything in the seat that is bothering her. Like something poking through the cushion. Next try giving her a favoite securtity object to take with her in the car. You can also try one of those picture mats that goes on the seat in front of her. I hope that helps. I know just how you feel.
Camsmom
9/02

First off, I haven't read the other responses.

What angle degree is the seat at? At Kayla's age the seat can be more upright while RF. Maybe she's feeling too reclined.

Hope you get some relief soon. I just spent a 2 hour drive with my sister and her two boys and sang all the kids songs we knew for the 2 hours to keep my nephew happy! Baby Beluga does wonders to that kid!

Hi Jamie,

When I bought my new Marathon in to be installed to replace my infant seat (AJ was 15 months old) the Police installation guys told me that turning them or not was really my option. Once a child is year old apparently their cervical spines are less hyperflexible and they are less likely to have the type of injury if hit from the rear when foward facing than when they are under 12 months old. You don't have long to go so hang in there. I was also told that if I was really concerned about saftey in the event of an accident NOT TO PUT ANYTHING IN THE CAR THAT COULD BECOME A PROJECTILE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT!) That includes; mirrors, snap on toys, visors that suction to windows even baby on board signs that suction to windows. They told me the sun shades I had (which go over the top of the glass and get closed in the window) can break when they get hot in the sun and to get contact film from an auto parts store instead which can line the window and doesn't pose a risk. When I whent to put AJ's plastic ride on toy on the floor in the back of the car he gave me a look and said "we really recommend you put that kind of stuff in the trunk. If you were to get into an accident it could hurt your son and if you have it in the front seat it could hurt you". I sheepishly opened my crammed trunk and squeezed it in.

They even went as far as to tell me that in the winter not to put him in the seat with a heavy coat or bunting. I could use a fleece type liner but anything bulkier would get in the way of the seat functioning properly.

I was thinking maybe you could drive in to a seat inspection station near your house while your daughter is in the car and they can check her out. Ya never know, They told me I had the strap buckle way higher than I should have on AJ and I'm sure it wouldn't have been too comfortable for him. Have you tried music? When AJ was born it was a really cold January and I didn't take him out much for the first three months. When we finally got out he used to melt down in the car too. NEVER FELL ASLEEP! Still doesn't but at least he doesn't cry anymore. Good Luck. I hope this post doesn't come across as too preachy. It certainly isn't intended to be.

I have two VERY picky DDs that couldn't stand certain carseats. It didn't have to do with whether they were FF or RF, but more where the ridges and padding started and stopped. It was like they were super sensitive to any little bumps. They were both the same with strollers also!

With our first we had the F.P. Safe Embrace which we really loved because it had tubular steel, built in locking clips, and eps foam (pretty good 6 years ago), but once she hit about 13 mos. she started crying all the time in the seat. After stripping it of the padding and then buckling her in, we found a tiny ridge that went across her middle back. We took her that night and buckled her in a bunch of seats at the store to find one she would tolerate. She seemed to like the Cosco Alpha Omego, so we bought it and she was fine again and were able to keep her RF.

Our second DD didn't like the Cosco A.O., the F.P. safe embrace, the Centruy Next Step or any infant car seats. The one that seemed to work best for her is the Evenflo Triumph.

It's been a little expensive switching seats, we've had 3 infant seats and 6 convertable seats for two kids, but worth it to know they are safe AND happy. Good Luck! Stacey.

[jd11365]

Yeah, I think she may be reclined too far. I thought that when the CPS installed it in the first place. She didn't really look like she knew what she was doing, called in for backup and even had to call Britax to ask about the tether strap...not so comforting. I'll be taking it to another inspection site at the end of the month when they have a special car seat check...a different location from the place I originally took the seat. Toys don't work either...SHE makes them projectile objects in her fits of car seat rage...hope that doesn't translate when she becomes a driver! ;) My friend has actually agreed to drive with me again to tomorrow's gym class...poor soul... FWIW, giving her Kix or cheerios has been helpful, but I hate to give food as a way of making peace... I've also tried Debbie's idea of song/routine...which works to get her in, but lasts until we hit the first mile or so. Please let this be a phase! Thanks for your support and ideas!


Jamie
Mommy to Kayla
5-1-03