My seven week old daughter seems to hate the car. When we ride in the van together, she copes, or seems to be content because I sit in the seat next to her. But during the week, when my husband and sons are at school/work and its just she and I in the car, she will scream non-stop from the beginning to the end of the trip. Because of this, I rarely leave the house during the week. We live in the country, so it's a 20 minute drive to the store, or to visit family/friends. When we do leave the house, I have to stop the car at least once during the drive to calm her down. She screams to the point that she's sweaty, sounds like she's choking, and I can't cope with the crying. I pull over in a parking lot or something, take her out of her carseat and hold her until she calms down, most of the time we nurse until she falls asleep....
I don't believe that you can spoil a baby that is so young. I believe that she needs to know I am there.
Short of never leaving the house, any advice
2007-02-09 04:15:32 · 6 answers · asked by salemgirl1972 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
oh, i'm so sorry. and they say car rides are supposed to make babies fall asleep :)
maybe try putting something that smells like you near her? just make sure it can't fall on her face on a bumpy ride.
2007-02-09 04:32:10 · answer #1 · answered by SB 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"I don't believe that you can spoil a baby that is so young. I believe that she needs to know I am there."
You're not spoiling her - but you are teaching her how to control you. For both of your sakes, remember that you need to be the person in control. What you're describing is that she can outlast you, and get what she wants in the end - no matter how much that's a problem for you. That's not a healthy pattern for either of you. Take a deep breath and break the pattern.
Don't avoid your trips. As a matter of fact - go more often. Take shorter rides for a bit. You don't always have to drive into town. Take a 5 minute ride to anywhere you choose. Have a destination so it doesn't look like you turned back because she was fussing. At the destination, take your daughter out of the car seat and walk around for a bit. No nursing - just walking around because you're done with the journey. Then back in the car and return home. Show her in your tone, demeanor and actions that she needn't be upset.
When you take longer rides, try to avoid stopping. If you absolutely must - stop and sit near her in the back briefly, but do not remove her from her safety seat. Again, show her by your demeanor, tone and actions that her tantrum isn't warranted. Reassure her - briefly - and continue on your way. Speak to her calmly from the front seat. Discontinue stopping to nurse. You don't mean to, but you are teaching her to soothe her feelings with food. Another bad pattern.
This will take some time, and a lot of backbone on your part. Be kind, but firm. Loving, but sure of yourself. Children want to know that we're in control of ourselves so we can help them.
Good luck!
2007-02-09 04:50:21 · answer #2 · answered by Basia 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh lordy, your post takes me back. My first was like that---and I honestly think it was because she was my first and the only one in the back seat. They just get nervous that they can't see you (or someone.) My 2nd and third were always fine because they had their siblings with them. Do you have a mirror that she can look into? Babiesrus sells them---they attach to the back seat so that when they are rear facing they can see themselves (and you can see their reflection in your mirror as well.) Music helps too.... Baby tapes helped a ton, or I would sing to her the whole ride sometimes. It is soooo hard and stressful to drive with them crying---hang in there though....even if nothing does help when she turns a year old and can be turned facing right in the carseat it will be so much better. That seems like an eternity I know, but really---it'll go faster than you think! Hang in there!
2007-02-09 04:23:19 · answer #3 · answered by josie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Arg, that stinks. I would try leaving the house right before her nap, that way she can sleep in the car. Put her to sleep in the car seat. It's a silly question but could the straps be too tight or pinching her? You are right, you can't spoil a baby that young, but reality needs to play a part too, you need to get out of the house! I think she will get used to the ca if she learns to sleep in the chair. Good luck.
2007-02-09 05:06:33 · answer #4 · answered by Honeypai 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Memory lane.......we have twins, one did this, the other was fine. The solution in the end was baby einstien. Yep sounds bad, TV for a little one, but it kept me sane, and from being in an accident. If you have a DVD player already in your vehicle, great. If not invest. For some reason, these movies mesmerize children. From 2 months old to this day, the music and imagry captivate them. They were both colicy, and it was the one thing I could count on for ten minutes of peace. Im not one to plant my children in front of any screen just for peace and quiet, but when your out of ideas......................?
2007-02-09 07:11:39 · answer #5 · answered by heather 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ahhhhh i remember those awful days.... my daughter did the same thing until she was one and we were able to turn her seat around. unfortunately out of everything we tried we ended up taking her in the car when she was sleepy and wanted a nap! they do have some music toys, and maybe try a dvd player above her carseat? i really feel for you i went thru the same thing!! good luck
2007-02-09 04:21:22 · answer #6 · answered by Carrie H 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋