car seat struggle

Hi Ladies! I really hope you mommas can help me. Ky kids used to love car rides. We used to drive them around so they could fall asleep. But since last month, they hate their car seats. They fight so hard when we try to buckle them. And my son will throw a fit after 5-10 min driving. then his sis will join the screaming party. I am very good at ignoring their crying screaming. But I just cant take it anymore :help: . We go out alot now. They love going out but hate their carseats. They are fine if I dont buckle them. I am going to install 2 headrest DVD players in the car. I hope they will help but I am not so sure. Do any of you have any good tip/idea? please help!!

We will take a trip to chicago end of this month, then DC and michigan. I dont know how we can stand 2 screamming babies on the back!!!!

I have another question. Will they have car seat if they watch DVD in the car? I always have when I watch/read something.

TIA!TIA!

 

Do you give them a few toys to play with while in their seats? Some books? I think it is fairly common for babies to be unhappy with their carseats at various times. I know I've buckled in screaming and wiggling kids many times! :laughing:

Hang in there!

 

Mine have never been carsick from "reading" books or watching TV in the car, but I was often carsick as a kid (and reading in the backseat was the primary reason), so I expect it to happen someday. I wouldn't recommend letting them watch TV (even if they like it -- mine were not at all interested at that age) unless you want them to expect it every single time they get in the car. I just think it's a bad habit to start, except for long trips.

All kids (especially toddlers) go through phases where they hate the carseat and/or hate riding in the car. My sister helped teach me a quick wrestling move to force them to bend at the hips so I could buckle them in real quick before they had a chance to fight me off. I know the screaming is awful, but I doubt they will keep it up for a whole long trip.

 

Any chance their straps need to be adjusted? I recently had to move our boys' shoulder straps up notch, and that made a big difference in their fussiness while in the car.

Also, have you tried a CD of kids' music? You know, those really annoying songs like "the wheels on the bus" and "the itsy bitsy spider". They drive me crazy sometimes, but if the boys start fussing, we put it in, and it calms them down almost instantly. Before I had kids, I swore I wouldn't use those corny CD's, but now I am thankful for them!!

 

I agree with all of this. All 3 of mine have gone through this phase (one DD is still putting up a fight when she gets buckled in). It sucks while it's happening but eventually they get over it. I have a DVD player but ONLY use it for long trips otherwise it's a hard habit to break and they will expect it EVERY time (I feel like mine watch enough tv at home, lol).

Like another PP said we also have kids music CDs...they are incredibly annoying but keep them happy. I will sometimes get in the van on rare occasions when I am alone and forget to turn on the radio until I realize what exactly it is that I'm singing along to . I also swore I would never listen to them but they have become the soundtrack to my life as we spend lots of time in the car!

GL...this stage is tough but it too will pass!

 

Laurie Berkner does less annoying kids' music. It's folksy and the boys ADORE it.

 

Do they have a mirror? Mine were acting up for a while, and I put up a mirror, which really helped so they could see better. Also, I recommend you check the harnesses to make sure they fit right, since that can be uncomfortable for them. The other thing is to make sure they are more upright...they don't need to be at the newborn angle anymore. Talk with a car seat tech or check out www.car-seat.org for info on what would be the right angle for the age and the carseats. If they are more upright, it is more like sitting up, versus lying down, so it is more comfy for an older kiddo.

 

snack cups?

 

The DVD player will be one of the best investments you ever make. My girls calm down immediately when it's turned on, and they HATE to ride in the car. I don't feel at all bad about it because they only watch about 10 minutes of TV at home every day most days. Some days they get no TV at all at home. So TV in the car seems like a special treat to them. That's why it works so well.

 

We have a Laurie Berkner dvd and our boys LOVE it! DH and I also find it more bearable than some of the corny kids songs.

Our boys are still rear facing at 22 months and we have a portable DVD mounted between the 2 captain seats. It is a lifesaver for long trips, though considering most kid DVDs only run for 25 minutes it either cycles around and a couple of times and they get bored or we have to change the DVD which is a hassle. If a trip is going to be 45 minutes or more we play a dvd (I chose 45 minutes rather than an hour because that's how long it takes get to my parents house, lol). And while they sometimes reach to touch the player when we put them in their seats for short trips to daycare I always so "No video, short trip" and they don't keep messing with it nor do they whine for it to be turned on.

 

I bought the girls dvd players for the car when they were 8 months old. They also hate their carseats and scream in them. I don't think it really helped that much. And now that they are older, they refuse to fall asleep in the car if the players are on. I haven't used them in well over a month. I don't regret the purchase because I'm sure they will come in handy when they are a little older. For right now, though, I don't think it really helps.

 

I will check the straps and harnesses tomorrow. kid's music, snack cups, mirrors, small toys are good ideas. I will try them out. Im ordering Laurie Berkner and snack pods on amazon now lol. I got dvd players already. However, I havent install them yet. I will if we really need them for chicago trip. My kids dont watch much tv. They are too busy getting into things. And im sure if I pop in baby signing time DVDs, they will watch lol. But still i prefer less TV heheh. So DVD players will be the last thing I will try though. Thanks ladies!

 

You got some good ideas. Snacks, juice, toys, books, and of course the dvd player. We love Laurie Berkner too, we have about 4 cd's! I disagree that using the dvd player will get them used to using it, it's a simple matter of saying "No, this is a short trip, we don't need a movie" and after a few times, they'll understand the dvd is for longer trips. We've had one since my oldest was 18 months old, and it only gets used for longer trips, or if we are sitting waiting to pick someone up somewhere. Rarely I'll use it to convince 2 stubborn toddlers to get into their carseats, if they are overtired or I'm overtired

 

great ideas are already listed. I would say to make sure to be prepared for DVDs on the trip... I wish I'd bought 2 type of electronic device for the kids on our long plane trip last year!!! anyway, great that you already ordered some Laurie Berkner music and the snack cups! you will make it. our kids love "burgner"... not sure why they call her "burgner!" but we know what they want unless they are hungry and we think they want a burger!