The Road Struggle: Unraveling the Mystery Behind Why Your Baby Dislikes the Car Seat
Are you a parent who dreads going for a ride with your little one because they seem to despise their car seat? You’re not alone. Many parents have experienced the struggle of a baby who simply detests car rides. As we know, babies communicate through crying… it’s all they know! So, fasten your seatbelts as we drive into the reason behind the protest.
Common Reasons Why Babies Dislike Car Seats
First, let’s get the typical answers out of the way:
Improper installation or fit of the car seat can cause discomfort for your baby. Ensure that the car seat is correctly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions and that the straps are adjusted properly to fit your baby's size. Regularly check and adjust the straps as your baby grows to ensure a snug and comfortable fit.
Secondly, the temperature inside the car can contribute to physical discomfort. It's important to maintain a comfortable temperature for your baby during car rides.
Now, onto the less commonly explained reasons why your newborn might dislike being in the car seat.
BODY TENSION- Imagine being a tiny tot who does not yet have great control of their body or a sense for volitional movement. Now, if you have body tension (potentially from in-utero positioning, birth, torticollis, tongue tie, constipation/gas, reflux-we’ll get into this, etc.) and you weren’t able to shift your body to get into a more comfortable position… don’t you think you’d be a little ramped up too? Car seats are ABSOLUTELY necessary containers, but containers none the less. They, intentionally, limit a baby’s ability to move around so if a baby’s hip, torso, neck, etc. is tight on one side, and sitting in a car seat makes it uncomfortable, you bet they’re going to let you hear it!
REFLUX- If you suspect your baby has reflux and also doesn’t tend to like the car seat, there’s a good chance they’re related. Here’s why:
Babies with reflux have a tendency to arch their back to “get away” from discomfort, which the car seat limits.
Reflux is typically more uncomfortable on the left side of their little bellies which creates a tension pattern. Being in a car seat where baby is strapped into a fixed position (the whole point of a car seat) might contribute to discomfort.
Being in a seated position can increase pressure into the area of discomfort which can exacerbate those little cues of discomfort.
All to say, movement overrides discomfort. Think about a time you smashed your finger. What’s your first reaction? Shake it out! Get it moving and it distracts you from the discomfort. If a baby has tension or discomfort and can’t wiggle around to find relief like they otherwise might subconsciously do, discomfort might be more noticeable.
Who should I see if my baby hates the car seat?
If you and your little one are in a battle of the car seat, the car seat may always win due to safety, but it doesn’t HAVE to be a battle. Let’s find out WHY your baby dislikes the car seat, address those causes and any underlying body tension, and make the car an enjoyable experience! Dr. Dani is a pediatric chiropractor in Denver, CO and has worked with babies with strong opinions about car seats and other containers for over 10 years. If you’re not local to Denver, check in on the additional training of a chiropractor local to you. If you can’t find anyone with additional training in pediatrics, a pediatric OT or PT with additional training in bodywork are great as well!