HELP! We cannot get our toddler in the car seat!

How do we make our toddler get in the car seat? When he was 7mo he started “fighting” (arched his back and turned his body) being put in anything that constrained him - car seats, stroller, and even the high-chair. This would come and go for weeks at a time and at the beginning we could distract him with toys, playful things, music, videos, etc.
Well, about a month ago we went to his 12-month wellness visit when he was held down for shots. Immediately after leaving the clinic he started fighting to go in the car seat and it took us 50min of trying. Since then we have tried to create good associations by going to fun places, but he fights it every single time and it takes least 30min to put him in the car seat.
He hasn’t gone anywhere and we are really limited in what we can do with him. I cannot tell you how many times we got ready to leave the house just to give up and not go anywhere with him. I think it doesn’t help that because of the pandemic we haven’t gone to many places with him since he was born, but this is definitely making it much worse.

Has anyone experienced this? What has worked for you and your little one?

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Mine was the same way! We had to fold her and force her into the car seat. It was AWFUL! We started bribing ours with a tablet in the car and that became the only place she got to watch any tv. We got out more and of course had many, many fits. But slowly, it started getting better. Hang in there mama! I know how hard it is. Also don’t listen to any of the “babies usually like cars…” comments. We got so many of those. I hope it gets better!!

This is a power struggle issue. Make sure he has plenty of running and exercise prior to going in it. Empathize with his feelings if he is upset going in “ I know you don’t want to be buckled and it’s so hard sitting still in the car I get it, it’s okay to be frustrated “ help his take deep breaths to calm him down. ( this works for most tantrums but not melt downs those you have to wait out. Explain once calm that mommy has to buckle and everyone else in the car to stay safe. Ask him if he can help you pick a song on the radio once buckled or play the arms up down game. Have snacks and drinks and say first buckle then snack and drink. Make sure it’s something he really likes. Always prep before had what you will be doing so they are prepared for what is to come. I think all parents struggle with this. My son was a fighter until I started doing these things now he gets in no problem. Another good one is asking if they want to climb in or u put them in. Choices and empathy go a long wa

Mine did this for a while. It helps to loosen the straps so you can get them buckled while they are arching and then slowly tighten it and push them down. Once my son realized it wasn’t stopping us from getting in the car seat he stopped.

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