What to Do When Baby Cries While Driving

By Elizabeth Pantley
Writer of Gentle Baby Care

Some babies autumn asleep virtually before you're out of the driveway, but others won't spend five happy minutes in their car seats. Usually, this is because your baby is used to more than freedom of motility and more physical attention than y'all can provide when she's belted into her seat.

RELATED: Download Our Ages & Stages Chart: Nativity to 5 Years Old

Hearing your baby cry while you are trying to drive is challenging. Even though it's difficult to deal with, remember that you and your baby's safety are nigh important. Parents sometimes take a crying babe out of the automobile seat, which is extremely dangerous and makes it even more hard for the baby to get used to riding in the car seat. Some parents make poor driving decisions when their babies are crying, which puts everyone in the car at hazard. Either pull over and calm your baby down, or focus on your driving. Don't attempt to exercise both.

The skilful news is that a few new ideas and a little time and maturity will assistance your baby become a happy traveler. (I know because three of my babies were car-seat-haters!)

The trip to car seat happiness

Any i (or more) of the following strategies may help solve your car seat dilemma. If the beginning one you try fails, choose another one, so another; somewhen, you'll hit upon the right solution for your baby.

Brand sure that your baby is good for you. If machine seat crying is something new, and your baby has been particularly fussy at dwelling, too, your baby may have an ear infection or other affliction. A visit to the doctor is in society.

Bring the car seat in the house and permit your baby sit and play in it.  Once it becomes more than familiar in the house, she may be happier to sit in that location in the car.

Keep a special box of soft, safe automobile toys that you'll use only in the automobile. If these are interesting enough, they may concord her attention. (Avoid hard toys because they could cause injury in a quick finish.)

Tape or hang toys for viewing. Y'all tin can practise this on the dorsum of the seat that your baby is facing or cord an array of lightweight toys from the ceiling using heavy tape and yarn. Place them simply at arm'due south reach and then that your babe can bat at them from her seat. (Don't employ difficult toys that could hurt your baby if they come loose in a quick stop.)

Make a car mobile. Link a long row of plastic infant chains from one side of the backseat to the other. Prune soft, lightweight new toys onto the chain for each trip. Make sure they are secure and keep on eye on these so that they don't become loose while you are driving.

Hang a fabricated-for-infant poster on the back of the seat that faces your baby.  These are usually black, white, crimson and bold chief colors; some even have pockets and then you lot can modify the pictures. (Remember to exercise this, since changing the scenery is very helpful.)

Experiment with different types of music in the car. Some babies savor lullabies or music tapes fabricated especially for young children; others surprise you past calming down every bit soon equally you lot play ane of your favorites. Some babies enjoy hearing Mom or Dad sing, more than anything else! (For some reason, a rousing chorus of "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer" has always been a skillful choice for us, even out of flavour!)

Attempt "white racket" in the car. You can buy CDs of soothing nature sounds or you can make a recording of your vacuum cleaner!

Exercise with short, pleasant trips when your infant is in a skillful mood. It helps if someone can sit near her and continue her entertained. A few good experiences may assist set a new pattern.

Effort a pacifier or teething toy. When your babe has something to suck or chew on he may be happier. Simply make sure it doesn't present a choking hazard, and go along to minor, soft toys.

Hang a mirror. That way your infant can see you (and you tin can come across your baby) while you are driving. Baby stores offer specialty mirrors made peculiarly for this purpose. When in her seat, she may call up that you're not in that location, and just seeing your face will assistance her feel ameliorate.

Put upward a sunshade in the window.  This can be helpful if you suspect that the sunshine in your babe's face may be a problem. Utilise the window-stick-on types, and avoid any with difficult pieces that could become dislodged in a quick stop.

Try to consolidate trips. Trip-chaining is effective, especially if you avoid being in the machine for long periods of fourth dimension, and you don't have many ins-and-outs.

Make sure your baby hasn't outgrown her car seat.  If her legs are bars, or her belts are too tight, she my discover her seat to be uncomfortable.

Endeavor opening a window.Fresh air and a dainty breeze can exist soothing.

If all else fails . . . have the bus!

This article is an excerpt from Gentle Baby Care by Elizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Colina, 2003)

RELATED: Download Our Ages & Stages Chart: Nascence to 5 Years Old

What to Do When Baby Cries While Driving

Source: https://childdevelopmentinfo.com/ages-stages/baby-infant-development-parenting/car-seat-crying/

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