My 14-month old will not sleep anywhere but his own crib, and it can really be a problem when we go somewhere that's fairly far from home. If we go to visit relatives or to the zoo (both 45 minute drives), the ride home is agonizing for everyone, because my little one screams a blood-curdling scream the entire way home, and he'll even cover his eyes and ears with his hands periodically, which I know is a sign of tiredness. I always attempt to get him to sleep by giving him his lovey and making sure he's not hungry and has a clean diaper, but he won't sleep. Does anyone have any ideas for some tricks that I could try?
Hi K. When my daughter and her husband go on long drives,they have mounted a portable DVD player in rear so my grandson can be entertain. This also helps put him to sleep.
Melinda is right on the mark. The baby needs to be in his own crib. Get a sitter, if this impinges your need to take long trips when he is due to sleep. Another possibility might be that he gets car sick. One of the the worst sorts of torture. Crackers, not milk or fluids, might be helpful.
Your child is sleeping perfectly - in the crib! Parents need to arrange schedules so the kids can be at home in their cribs for sleeping (not in the car or stroller or wherever) -- the crib is where they get quality sleep which is so important for development. So the solution is to re-schedule.
When you arrive at your destination, is there alot of free movement using his muscles or is there a trip from carseat to stroller. It could be that he is frustrated about lack of free movement and his body is simply not tired. Make sure there is alot of out of stroller time where he is in control of his movement whether it is to crawl, cruise, toddle or just roll. Open a window on the way home and make sure no juice is served within 30 minutes of a car ride. Only Milk or water...good luck.
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Best wishes,
J.
I understand what you are going threw. My son now 3 1/2 went threw that from the time I first put him into his car seat until about 2 or so. He hated car rides. He is getting better as he gets older!!
I opened the window, daddy or I sitting in the back with him, tried to go around his nap time, played white noise, had movies going which we do use today. The one key thing that helped my son was baby eistein. Something about the music from baby eistein soothed him. I played it will we was at home either during his nap and/or while he was awake.
Good luck at finding your babies needs.
Tune the radio to a static station for white noise.
Try opening a window - I'm shocked at how well it works.
You could also try a cd of music tailored for children. You'll have to play it several times, but pretty soon he'll recognize the music and actually begin to sing along.
If you have checked to make sure all his needs are met and he isn't uncomfortable, then just try to ignore the screaming. If everything is fine with him, he's just trying to get your attention...quit giving the attention and he'll stop screaming! He really does have a choice - learn to ride in a car comfortably or waste his time screaming his head off. Eventually he'll make a better chocie!
We have the fischer price rainforest mirror. It lights up and plays music. It has a remote so that when my son falls asleep, I can turn it off while I am still driving. Maybe that would help. Good luck!
have you given him his favorite blankie? Otherwise you may have to plan your trips to accomidate his napping schedule.
He may be too old for this suggestion, but maybe find a CD of white noise or womb/like noise to play in the car. Actually, white noise (water, surf sounds, etc) help many adults fall asleep, so it may be worth a try. Will he fall asleep in your arms? Perhaps delay leaving in the car for a few minutes while you hold him and rock/walk with him until he falls asleep and then gently put him in the seat. If he wakes, maybe he'll fall back asleep if he's already been asleep.
Some babies and children are extremely sensitive to the motion of the car and may have difficulty relaxing in a car seat until they are older. I'd suggest limiting car time for now. Your baby's needs are important and time will likely help remedy the situation. Invite visitors to your home instead of traveling and plan your travel to include stops along the way. My oldest was a terrible traveler, I know it can be difficult but he is now able to describe the awful feeling of motion sickness that he experienced. I am now so glad that I tried to be sensitive to his distress.
Remember, this to shall pass.
A.
