So you have bought the world’s most comfortable car seat,
made sure you have scheduled your travelling plans around baby’s nap time,
ensured her tummy is filled, she is in the best of moods, her favourite toys
and snacks are packed but only to have your eardrums throb in pain just 10
minutes after you have started your car engine because of her wails.
If you have nodded your head vigorously after reading the
first paragraph, I would like to cordially welcome you to my club which is
called ‘My Baby Hates the Car Seat’. Pebbles absolutely loathes it. She will be
in La La Land for good ten minutes before she turns into mini hulk as she tries
to squirm her way out of it while screaming her head out. Her screams alone can
win an Academy Award as they are really LOUD and can be used in any horror
movies.
So I have tried all the tricks in the book to make her ‘journeys’
comfortable but they have failed MISERABLY. Therefore this post is for those
who are in the same predicament as me. What do you do to maintain your sanity?
Firstly, DO NOT REMOVE the child from the car seat. An
absolute NO. Once you do that, their cries will only get louder the next time
they are strapped in because they know you will give in. The car seat is
installed for your child’s safety so do not compromise with that.
Secondly, take a long deep breath. Although your child is
wailing in the background, taking in long breaths would help to suppress the
rising stress level and maintain a cool head.
Next, play your favourite song on the player. Crank up the
volume and sing along. If you are not driving, just do some groovy moves with
your hands. You would feel more relaxed and probably your baby would too. I can’t
count the number of times, other drivers have caught me dancing like a mad
woman in the car (Hubby was driving and I swear he acted as though he didn't know me)
However, if your baby or in my case toddler decides to be
the only ‘sound provider’ in the car, turn the player off and be completely
silent; you and whoever else is in the car with you. When you hear the
slightest sound, just say ‘Sshh’ loudly, with your finger on your lips. Your
child might think you are playing a game and will soon stop or even imitate you.
If baby continues to
wail, stretch your arm backwards (if you are sitting in the front) and place
your hand on her chest, apply slight pressure and reassure her that you are
there and everything is OK. This can only be done if you are not driving.
Please don’t be a hero by doing that
with one hand on the steering wheel and the other on your baby’s chest!
Lastly, repeat this after me; “This too shall pass. Better
days are ahead’. Trust me they are. Don’t let the mini dictator in the car seat
defeat you! Pebbles is going to be 17 months old soon and the ‘civil war’ I
have with her in the car seat is yet to end but I shall persevere!
And in the meantime, if you have smug parents and relatives who 'boast' about their angels in the car seat, go ahead and 'mentally' punch them. The key word is mentally, guys :)
Image from Google
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