1 month old cries in car seat - how to manage long trip?

[~Mama Bug~]

My 1 month old used to sleep in the car seat without any problems. Now he screams unless the car is going 15mph or more. I've readjusted straps, angle of seat, everything I can think of that might be upsetting him. Anyone have any ideas? We have an hour and a half car trip coming up and I really don't want to have to buy earplugs!

[deckchariot]

Could it be the time of day you're traveling?  Maybe he's not tired, too tired?  Not all bubs will sleep in their car seats.  In terms of what to do for a long trip - does he have toys (soft or rattling) that he can play with?  Can someone sit next to him (I'm assuming he's in the back) to help entertain him? 

If he's sleeping fine at home but doesn't like his car seat, it may just be a phase.  I'll go ahead and move your post over to the Activity boards where you might get some better ideas on how to help him like his carseat, since that seems to be the bigger issue, not so much sleeping.

hth
michelle

[~inbalance~]

My DS2 screamed in the car pretty much until 4mos.  For long rides, if DH was driving, I would just sit in the back.  It helped him feel better if he could see me.  He did outgrow the screaming, thank goodness!

[~Mama Bug~]

He does ok if he's put into the seat during his A time. Then he'll actually fall asleep. But if he wakes up while in the seat, instead of going back to sleep he starts screaming, regardless of whether car is moving/paci/etc.  We thought about having someone sit in back with him, only trouble is toddler's huge car seat is back there too. Makes space limited. We'll try it on a couple trips around town though. 

[~inbalance~]

We have a toddler and limited space too.  I just squeeze in between.  It's not comfy for me, but it's better than all the screaming! 

[Mom_to_L&S]

We are dealing with the same issue here, not much you can do, I'm afraid  

What does help a lot during his A-times in the carseat is this : http://www.tinylove.com/toy.aspx?toyId=69
We got it in a second-hand store and he loves it. He'll still cry when he's not comfy (reflux) or when he has dozed off and then wakes again, but this toy improved at least somewhat overall! He doesn't kick it yet but loves having something to look at that's not dangling right in his face like those tie-on toys, kwim?

Good luck!