Crying In The Car Seat.

While some babies fall asleep almost before you're out of the driveway, others won't spend five happy minutes in their car seats. Usually, this is because your baby is used to more freedom of movement and more physical attention than you can provide when she's belted into her seat.

Remember that you and your baby's safety are most important. Parents sometimes take a crying baby out of the car seat, which is extremely dangerous and just makes it even more difficult for the baby to get used to riding in the car seat. Some parents make poor driving decisions when their babies are crying, which puts everyone in (and near) the car at risk. Either pull over and calm your baby down, or focus on your

driving. Don't try to do both.
The good news is that a few new ideas, a little time and maturity will help your baby become a happy traveller. (I know, because three of my babies were car seat-haters!)

The trip to car seat happiness

Any one (or more) of the following strategies may help solve your car seat dilemma. If the first one you try fails, choose another one, then another;eventually, you'll hit upon the right solution for your

baby.
Make sure that your baby is healthy. If car seat crying is something new, and your baby has been particularly fussy at home, too, your baby may have an ear infection or other illness.

Bring the car seat in the house and let your baby sit and play in it. Once it becomes more familiar in the house, she may be happier to sit there in the car.

Keep a special box of car toys that you'll use only in the car. If these are interesting enough, they may hold her attention.

Tape or hang toys from the back of the seat your baby is facing, or string an array of lightweight toys from the ceiling using heavy tape and yarn. Place them just at arm's reach so that your baby can bat at them from her seat.

Link a long row of plastic baby chains from one side of the backseat to the other and clip new toys on the row for each trip.

Hang a made-for-baby poster on the back of the seat that faces your baby. These are usually black, white, red and bold primary colors; some even have pockets so you can change the pictures. (Remember to do this, since the changing scenery is very helpful.)

Experiment with different types of music in the car. Some babies enjoy lullabies or music tapes made especially for babies and young children; others surprise you by calming down as soon as you play one of your old favourites. Some babies enjoy hearing Mom or Dad sing, more than anything else! (For some reason, "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer" has always been a good choice for us, even out of season!)

Try "white noise" in the car. You can purchase tapes of nature sounds or make a recording of your vacuum cleaner!

Practice with short, pleasant trips when your baby is in a good mood and someone can sit near her and keep her entertained. A few good experiences may help.

Try a pacifier or teething toy so your baby has something to suck or chew on.

Hang a mirror so that your baby can see you (and you can see your baby) while you are driving. Baby stores offer specialty mirrors made especially for this purpose. She may think that you're not there, and just seeing your face will help her feel better.

Put up a sunshade in the window if you suspect that sunshine in your baby's face may be a problem.Try to consolidate trips so that you aren't in the car for long periods and so that you don't have many ins and outs.

Make sure your baby hasn't outgrown her car seat or that her belts have not become too tight or uncomfortable.

Try opening a window for some fresh, moving air.

If all else fails, take the bus! 

This article is a sneak preview of a new book written by Elizabeth Pantley called, Gentle Baby Care, which will be published this fall by McGraw-Hill publishers. For more information, visit [http://www.elizabethpantley.com].