Does anyone else’s baby hate the car seat? Sensory issues?

My little girl was and still is the same. She is now two and things have improved, but it’s been a struggle for most of her little life so far. I definitely see other traits Ryan have me thinking she maybe have autism/adhd. It is common in my family and I am seeing similar behaviours

I'm not qualified in the subject but that's a really bad fit in that carseat so any baby would be uncomfortable in that. Lots of children also dont get a good fit in a doona. Seek fitting advice from a specialist. But also it's perfectly normal for all children to not like the carseat as it's a restraint

I must say though, this head support does look extremely restricting? Maybe she’s bothered about that? 💔

So the car seat is just out the box and hasn’t been fitted properly my other original car seat was and he’s exactly the same in it, video was just for reference for his reaction x

He does this exact reaction for nappy and clothe changes, I’ve had him in size 4 pull ups for months as it’s easier to have him standing and pull them on, he throws his head backwards a lot. My other son is nearly 3 and autistic and I’ve never had these challenges with him and he’s the complete opposite and always loved the car. He has also struggled with reflux a lot so wondering if these things could be triggered by that? 😭

He not like being restricted, my 20 months old the same don't like his pushchair either csr seat, he is getting bit better in but not always we had 5 hrs of his screaming car dwn after a holiday and drive home even tho he was tired he wouldn't give him. Does he av sensory issues with anything else. Like my son not go on grass with bear feet or legs, some fruits he hates the texture off. We think he's autistic runs strongly in dad's side of family we in process of getting his 3 yr old brother tested for autism and my 20 month old is worse then him x

It absolutely could be sensory overload. He's likely screaming because he doesn't have words. You can look for a sensory friendly carseat cover to see if that helps. For clothes, find fabrics that work for him. Look for tagless, flat seams, and soft knit fabrics. Cotton is usually a safe bet, and other more natural fibers will likely be more comfortable than polyester or microfiber. I think the only way you can avoid the diaper sensitivity is to start using cloth/reusable diapers, but I totally get not making that change. Hope this helps.

@Keylii his clothes/nappy aren’t an issue for him it’s just getting them on and off but once they are on he has no issue with them, I’m not sure if it’s more he doesn’t like being restricted? As soon as I lay him down he will scream and flip straight onto his front and he’s been walking since 10.5 months and will get up and walk off hysterical… we went to the beach today and he was fine in the car for the first half an hour and slept for the other 90 minutes until I woke him but getting him into the car seat he arched his back and stiffened his legs but I gave him his milk and he settled straight away. I’m wondering if it’s just restriction he hates? I’m not sure if that is linked with ASD? He absolutely adores people and has an obsession with dogs (my oldest with ASD doesn’t like people and screams at dogs) I’m not sure if he’s NT or if he’s also on the spectrum but just very different traits.. I suppose I’ll have to wait and see but it’s killing me not knowing!

Does anyone know if this could be linked to reflux? When I’ve googled him arching his back and stiffening legs getting into the car seat it says reflux and my LO suffered with this and sicked most of his feeds but doesn’t anymore. Since he’s been on solids I’ve noticed sometimes a little bit of sick on the floor an hour or so later and thought he may now have silent reflux?

I would take the part out by his head. His head is being squished. You only need that part for newborns. I’m also surprised the car seats in your country don’t have the chest clip. Helps keep them in place better. Sorry he reacts that way. That’s sad. Do songs help? We sing songs for everything

@Cassie yeah we’ve taken that bit out and are going to get it fitted properly for him during the week, this was just straight out the box and I sat him in for the video to show his reaction! The only thing that stops him is I try and time the car with his milk time and if I quickly lay him in and pass the bottle he will usually stay calm and then fall asleep for the car journey but sometimes he won’t sleep and then just be hysterical but coming home earlier he didn’t fall asleep on his bottle and he was good for half an hour and then slept for the rest… he will be 1 years old in 2/3 weeks time and I thought by now he would have stopped this but he hasn’t 🤔

Yeah sorry that’s rough. Seems to not like restraint. Hopefully when he starts talking it’s get better 💛

I think I misunderstood what you were saying :/ I don't think i gave you any new info. I think the fighting you for changing clothes/diaper is fairly common and goes with the restriction you were thinking about. You said something about reflux, though. Do you think it's motion sickness in the car? Maybe he's nauseated, and he's associated that feeling with the carseat?

@Keylii hmm he does the same in the pram but has got a lot better with it… it seems to be once he’s in he’s ok but getting him in he will arch and stiffen 🤦🏻‍♀️ I’m also worried because he puts everything in his mouth and we have a lot of number cards for my toddler and he will put anything that’s card or paper in his mouth…

Does he calm at all once the car starts moving or if you give him toys/music

Oh yes! Mine is now 3 but from tiny baby up to at least 2, she had severe tantrums or totally freaking out. Took me FOREVER getting her into the carseat!! And once she was in, she was historically all the way. I stopped going out at a stage as I couldn't handle it.

@Ghitta did the meltdowns improve at all. I’m in the thick of it atm and I need some light to help me through. I’ve read the book you suggested and it was great but tricky to use the advice with a 2 year old who is constantly inconsolable. I’m living in fight or flight but I’m trying so god damn hard 💔

It did eventually. And sometimes she still flares up! I give her toys that she WANTS in the car with her, snacks etc. Most of all her bunny and dummy. But getting her in has been the hardest. Bribery and autonomy. Things like, would you like to climb in yourself or shall I help you? Any small choice that will help her feel in control. Make it fun.... use animal noises or pretend play. Make up stories... Do you want to climb in like a monkey or a kangaroo? Which side you want your cuddly toy to sit? Can you show me how to sit like a race car driver?

Whose going to be the fastest getting in? You or me? Do you think the car needs a magic password to start? Shall we buckle in and whisper it? Play I spy.... Can you see a blue car... Can you spot 3 red cars Let's see if theres a doggy along the road... Look i buckled up, granma is, daddy is, because we all want to be safe. If we are not buckled up lwe might go straight through the window and that will be very very ouchie. Narrate what is happening. Step by step as you place her in. Validate her feelings -I know you don’t feel like getting in! It’s hard sometimes.

Use ‘When…Then’ language When you’re buckled up, then we can go zoom-zoom! I've also previously explained to her why she needs to stay in, for safety, coz I love her and don't want her to fall out the door. I've also previously pretended by putting up cop alarms on my Spotify when she wriggled her arms out. And then told her uh oh... the police is coming. They saw you wriggling out. Quick, get back in. I dont want them to take you away from me.. Stay very predictable — same routine every time.