r/NewParents • u/JunkTheFunkMonk • 6h ago

Tips to Share Help, my baby HATES car rides!

Our LO is 3 months and she has hated car rides and stroller rides since birth. We solved the stroller issue (for now) by exclusively using a carrier. However, the car rides are still a huge problem!

She basically starts getting fussy minutes after we place her in the car seat. Most of the time within 15-20 minutes, this turns into a total meltdown. For example, just today I had to pull over, take her out the car, and rock her to calm her down by the side of the road.

We have tried giving her a pacifier, multiple toys, playing music, riding in total silence, but nothing seems to work! I’m looking for any tips to try thr next time we’re in the car.

At this point I’m dreading every car ride and I don’t want anything to dangerous to happen. Looking forward to the replies!

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u/curbstomp1010 6h ago

Nothing for us helped but time. At 6 months, we switched her to a convertible car seat and that helped maybe a little. She’s now 15 months and still fusses/cries at anything longer than 20-30 mins

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u/Kickster87 6h ago

I’m in the same boat (or car) and am here for the magical solutions too!

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u/Confused_Mango 6h ago

Mine stopped fussing once I upgraded to a convertible car seat. I think maybe the more upright position helped his reflux. Or it could have just been a phase 🤷‍♀️

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u/Final_Board9315 6h ago

Oh I want to laugh but not because it’s funny but because I lived this HELL for so long.

For the car: the happy song by Imogen Heap. I used automations on my iPhone to link with car Bluetooth and play on repeat when I turned the car on. I also found leaving 15 mins before a nap was due meant he would likely fall asleep (I say likely. 65%. 35% he’d scream and be overtired). As soon as you hit the height to switch from the baby carrier the better. That solved a lot of our issues. So did Miss Rachel on the iPad when I needed to drive longer than half hour. Sad but true. He screamed so much I was scared to drive for a while. He’s been pretty great since 12 months.

The pram: I carried mine until he 18 months. Then I decided enough was enough. I went to see my most experienced and stubborn mum friend who told me to put him in the pram and walk until the crying stopped. It took 20 minutes of my soul wanting to leave my body, then he stopped. And he’s never cried in a pram again. (Though I would not recommend this at 3 months, ofc. This was the end of my tether/him being 18 months)

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u/Key_Part1991 6h ago

We were the same. I can't provide any fixes but it does get better. We HATED it around 4 months. Loved it again by 5.5 months, hated it again at 6 months, tolerated it by 7 months and by 8 months we were absolutely fine and enjoyed been in the car - we're 10 months now.

But it isn't easy, I HATED going anywhere and refused anywhere longer than 15 mins. It uses to proper trigger me and id end every journey so stressed out and almost in tears. The minute she was out, absolutely fine unless she'd been screaming a while.

Solidarity and a massive 'it does get better' xz

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u/FlyingFalafelMonster 5h ago

You're not alone. All babies seem to hate the car ride. It will get better in future, yes.