Crying in car, HELP!!

[tannedangel]

My DD will cry in the car, all the time, without fail. DF and I feel ATM that we cant go anywhere or do anything because of this.
We have tried everything, from timing it for sleep time, to timing it for after sleep time, to any distraction under the sun, giving her a bottle, giving ehr something special, giving her her blankie and cuddly toy, EVERYTHING, and nothing works
We take her out quite often, even if it is just a drive to try break this, but nothing makes a difference.
In the near future we will be needing to take frequent, long trips, and will need to bring her with us, and its looking to be a horror story if she is going to cry the whole way there and the whole way back,
HELP!

[~Trish~]

My DS1 was exactly the same, it was so stressful! I used to have to sit in the back of the car while DH drove. If I was driving I'd sing really loudly and he seemed to like hearing my voice.

You could try putting a mirror in front of her so she can see herself, apparently you can buy special ones from baby stores.

They do grow out of it! DS1 was around 6 months old, he coped heaps better once his car seat was turned around and he could see us.

Good luck

[tannedangel]

Annoying thing is she is facing us already, and if one of us sits inthe back seat with her its ok, as long as you dont make a wrong move.
i feel like Im constantly walking on eggshells with her coz anything can set her off, its like she is over emotional or something
I feel like im trapped in my own home because I am unable to go out, and the only time I can go out is if I take her out with me, or leave her with DF, which isnt much of a option ATM.

[~Trish~]

It's not fun, you poor thing. I wish I could give you the magic solution, I'm sure she WILL grow out of it.

Another trick I just though of - we used to play all the ring tones on our phones to DS LOL! It worked a treat and we've used it on DS2 and it makes them stop crying instantly.

[PinkPalace]

i cant see how old your DD is however we had a lot of long trips with DD (13 hrs to see family) and would drive this 2-3 times a year. So we had lots of car practice lol

What we end up doing is always have the same boring sleep CD inthe car - didnt matter if she was sleeping or not - it was calming and was always on.

Also had a bag that velcro'ed around the head rest of the front seat that sat in front of her . (we got it from super cheap). ANd she could reach it and pull out a varitey of books, toys etc . Even if it kept her occupied for 1/2 it was good enough (we would change the books regulary - luckily she loves book).

Also i would often turn my mirror (rear vision) so i can see her and she can see me. yes it means i couldnt see out the back window but with the pram and everything else int he boot i couldnt anyhow.

Also i always put shoes on her feet as she loves to take them off (ok 5 mins tops but it all add up in time).

Also we have a mobile that hangs from the handle above her door that you pull and it plays music. We ask her to help and pull it for DS to listen to and she loves to do this.

mmm still thinking of other tricks we use... will come back

[KimB]

Check to make sure that the seat belts aren't rubbing on her or pinching. I found that my DD was crying and when we checked it was the seat belt (harness things in the seat) that were causing it. She didn't like it pulled really tight between her legs as it pinched. We found a padded piece of fabric slipped over the clip helped enormously.

[tannedangel]

Hey
I asked the doc the other day when I was there about it, and he said it would either be position (like the way she is sitting) or reflux. DD doesnt have reflux so im going to check if maybe its her position.
PPL have suggested I try a different seat, I guess if it were absolutely necessary then I will.
Its not motion sickness, the Dr said if it were she would actually be sick and not cry.
I might take her to the chiro again incase maybe its her back and when she is in the seat its causing her some discomfort?
Also I dont think its the seatbelts, they have fabric covers on them, but Ill check again.

The other day I took DD to see my mum and she didnt cry in the car, at all. I dont know if she cries only coz DF is in the car or if it was just coincidence? I guess ill find out soon enough.