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Bringing up a baby has its challenges at every stage. Most of your days are spent in a dizzying, random routine that includes an unending list of chores such as feeding the baby, changing nappies, cleaning, washing etc., but your routine, of course, doesn’t revolve around just being indoors.
You have to go out for school runs, groceries, and other such errands. In such a scenario, what happens if you find your baby crying every single time you make him/her sit all strapped and secured in the car seat? Do you think you can even concentrate on the road when your little one is howling that loud?
It’s a huge distraction as well as a terrible source of stress. Moreover, you may not have a clue why your child might be behaving erratically, and this can make any road-trip, however small it might be, no less than a nightmare.
There are a number of reasons why your child might cry on being put inside the car. The most common ones include:
- Separation anxiety, because they are used to being near you.
- Reflux issues that might get aggravated when seated in a car.
- Discomfort due to limited movement.
You cannot perpetually keep your baby indoors just because he/she cries in the car seat. Instead, you could try the following tips that have been proven to keep them relatively calmer during their car-trips.
1. Comfort Check
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Babies grow at a fast pace. So, ensure that you check their height and weight measurements every few days, especially when the height-weight limit is nearing.
Ensure that the straps are fitting comfortably, instead of being too tight or loose. If your baby does not need the new-born inserts, remove them. Make sure that their head and neck are rested comfortably.
2. Keep The Baby Occupied
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While you may enjoy peaceful long-drives, your baby may not be sufficiently amused by the same. To keep the baby occupied, keep a few of his/her favorite toys in the car. At the same time, don’t forget to rotate the stock so that he/she remains engaged without getting bored!
3. Music To Their Ears
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There must be a song or a music score that pleases your baby and makes them happy. Make sure that you have it on your playlist, and in case he/she gets cranky, play it!
There is no set genre of music that is proven to work for calming down babies, but anything soothing enough with a regular beat and rhythm should work just fine.
4. Adjust The Temperature
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Keep track of the direction of air vents in the car as well as the temperature and air circulation concerning your baby’s position. Your baby may feel cold or hot, depending on the position of the vents.
Also, do not forget to check the baby’s clothing, as too many or too few layers can make them uncomfortable.
5. A Familiar Glance
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If you keep a little mirror hanging in the front with its angle properly adjusted, the baby may see his/her reflection and yours too, and as your eyes meet on and off, it will give the child a sense of emotional comfort as well as amusement.
6. Break The Barrier
A good way to establish a non-threatening relation between your child and the car seat is to let him/her play with it inside the house.
When your child plays and explores the seat’s buckles, straps, and belts, it leads to the development of a positive familiarity, and they may not throw a fit while being “fit” into it later!
If your baby, who is otherwise comfortable with car trips, suddenly appears unsettled, take note of the symptoms.
The cause may be a health-related discomfort like teething, reflux problems or an ear infection that could be making the child feel worse.
8. Understand Your Child
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It’s only a phase, and it too shall pass. Try to understand that it is not easy for your child either. As they grow up, the crying and crankiness tend to ease a lot.
You have to relax, try different methods, and figure out what comforts your child. So, be patient and understanding till he/she outgrows this stage.
Your baby’s problem with the car seat might be a difficult thing to handle, but if you take a cue from the above suggestions, you should be able to work around your baby’s needs and keep them happy on your trips without much of an issue!
