What would you do in this situation?

mama <3

My daughter will be 11 months tomorrow. She weighs 23 pounds and is 30" long.
She recently has started to hate being in the car. She will scream until she throws up everytime she has to get in. It doesn't stop, she won't calm down, she doesn't sleep, she is not distracted, she will not take a bottle, she won't eat a snack, and she certainly won't stop screaming. It doesn't matter what carseat she is in (she has 4 different ones), which car she is in, who is in the car, if someone is in the backseat or not, or if she has any toys. She has been doing this for about 6 weeks. We live in an extremely small town (we have no mall, one small grocery store, and one target), and the next closest town is about 2 hours away. We travel to this town at least once a week, sometimes a couple times a week. We have a sick family member in the hospital there so the past few weeks we have started traveling there to see her 3 or 4 times a week.My daughter absolutely hates the drive. I was convinced that there was no way she could scream at the top of her lungs, throwing up, turning purple for 2 hours.. but let me tell you I have seen it happen plenty of times lately. I have no idea what to do anymore. I have tried everything I can think of. We have no one that can watch her while we go, and since we often stay over night I would hate to spend my only 2 days a week off from school away from her. As soon as we get out of the car she is fine and happy, but when it is time to get back in it all starts again. Also, her great grandmother (the one who is sick) loves to see her. She lights up as soon as she comes in the door and never wants her to leave. She has come to visit every weekend since she was born and it would break her heart for us to keep her away for the many more months she will be in the hospital.
I am planning to keep her rear facing as long as possible, but sometimes wonder if she would do better on the long drive if she sat forward facing and could watch a movie (we have screens in the back of the front headrests). I have tried getting a mirror and playing a movie but the picture is literally only an inch big on the mirror.
Any suggestions or advice is welcome. I am completely at my wits end about this!
This week we will have to drive up and back Thursday, Saturday and Monday and I can't take another 4 hours of screaming, and god forbid we hit traffic!!
Please help!!
I have tried the dvd player and she just throws it. She throws everything I give her!
It also doesn't seem to matter what time of day it is. She is just SUPER cranky once we get there if she didn't get a nap before we left and then was upset the whole drive.
We live in Arizona, but I am not sure about the carseat laws here.
I want to keep her rearfacing until her seat no longer allows it and still would even if she just rode forward for the trips out of town, but I worry that we will get in an accident when she is forward facing and I would forever wish that I could have put up with the crying instead of putting her forward. But in the moment I just can't take the constant screaming/throwing up ordeal day after day..

Answer
My daughter hates long car rides too (always has, since she was a baby). I learned quickly what worked for us. We went out and bought several (like 8, at least) new toys for the car ONLY.
She loved the new toys and started getting excited to go in the car to play with them (some of them were new and had lights and sound, some from a dollar store, some I bought used). If she likes books, get some of those for the car only too. That kept her happy for quite a while, and then I would pack "emergency snacks" for when she lost interest in the toys. If she would start to get upset I would give her a little cup or bag of snacks I mixed up (Teddy Grahams, pretzel sticks, Fruit Loops cereal, Goldfish crackers, and fruit snacks mixed together). When my daughter was little yet, we would give Gerber puffs, and Cheerios and Gerber Yogurt melts, and Kix cereal mixed together in a cup. My daughter stayed very happy and busy picking out what she wanted from the cup and enjoying it.
We also got some Color Wonder markers and paint (since they didn't make a mess in the car or on clothes) and she was thrilled to "paint". One time, she started screaming and my husband pulled over to a gas station so we could all get some fresh air. As a last thought, my hubby bought some chocolate milk and added it to her sippy cup and she sipped happily for more than half and hour and fell asleep! It was nice and peaceful for over an hour until we got home!
I can't begin to even tell you, how much this planning has helped us! I don't normally use food to entertain my kids, and I don't usually allow junk food, but we had family that lived out of the area and so we were traveling a lot too. Another idea, would be to get a CD of kids songs to listen to for her. My son loved them as a baby and toddler and he would giggle and hum to them before he could talk. Good luck.

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Which US airlines offer the most seat space/leg room?

betsy b

I'm going to be traveling with a wiggley toddler, so I need a lot (even though she's getting her own seat).

Answer
Seat pitch (the distance from headrest to headrest, which gives you a rough idea of legroom) depends not just on which airline you're flying but also what model of aircraft you're on. Probably you're best bet is when you start getting ready to book the flight, look to see what type of aircraft you'd be on, then go to www.seatguru.com - they list the amount of seat pitch for every aircraft for just about all US carriers.

What type of car seat are you using for your baby and what are the pros and cons of it?

Hope

I am trying to decide on a new car seat so I was wanting to get some ideas.

Answer
Are you looking for an infant bucket seat, or an infant to toddler rear to forward facing seat?

If it's a bucket seat, don't waste your time doing excessive research...they are all the same, they meet safety standards, and with an infant seat, there is really no way to add any bells an whistles. I guess with the bucket seats, just make sure that the carrying handle, when it's folded in the car, doesn't stick out too far past the seat that it causes the passenger in the front seat to have to jack their own seat really far ahead, making it uncomfortable. Evenflo bucket seats are bad for this, while Safety 1st's handles are pretty compact when folded down in the car.

For rear to forward facing, I have two, one for each car. The first one is an Evenflo Triumph DLX. http://www.evenflo.com/product.aspx?id=21&pfid=2787 It's heavy, sturdy seat. I find with lighter seats, even when they're installed properly, you can still shift them around by pushing and pulling. This seat stays put. It's upholstered very nicely and provides a good amount of comfort. The harness belt straps are better on this seat than any seat I've ever seen. The shoulder straps adjust just by pulling upward, rather than unhooking the entire seat and adjusting in the back of the seat. The harness adjusts evenly on each side by turning a knob on the side of the seat...so no pulling on a strap between the kid's legs.

Really, the things that I like the most about this seat is the fact that both sides of the harness adjust evenly. Most seats get tighter on one side and looser on the other...not this one...and it is SO comfy. I have no negatives to say about this seat, it's great, and I love it.

The second rear to forward facing seat I have is a First Years True Fit. http://www.learningcurve.com/thefirstyears/Car+Seats+and+Travel+Gear/True+Fit+Convertible+Car+Seats

It is VERY comfortable, and the shoulder straps slide up from the front, somewhat similar to the Evenflo. It is a seat that comes in two pieces...the main body of the seat, and a removable head extender.

When the seat is rear facing, and the child is an infant, you can minimize the extra room that a convertible car seat can take up in the backseat and remove the headrest. There is a line for height on the carseat that says when the child's head reaches that height, you should add on the headrest.

To be honest, the headrest option and the comfort are the only two things I like about this seat. It's also a heavy seat, so it doesn't rock around, but the harness is very annoying to have to adjust. So if your child is wearing slightly different thickness clothes from the last time they were in the seat, you'll have to readjust. Which is not a big deal in itself, but it is VERY hard with this seat to make the straps tighter. I find the only way you can actually tighten the straps, for some reason, is if the child isn't actually buckled up. I've learned that I can snap the chest buckle to get an idea of what it will adjust like, but I can't buckle between the legs until the appropriate tightening is done.

Had we known this seat was going to be so hard to use, we would have just bought a second Evenflo Triumph.

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I need some best car seats information, please help?

Damien Moo

Answer
Rear facing is the safest way to travel for both adults and children alike. The safest car seat is the one that fits your child, your vehicle, and is used correctly each and every time. Infant seats are the type of car seats one sees in grocery stores. They usually have a removable base, so the child can be carried into the store without having to wake up the child.

Infant seats: I would recommend:
The Chicco Key Fit 30
The Britax Chaperone
The Graco Snugride 30
The Britax Besafe

Convertible car seats are car seats that are first used rear facing for your toddler, then switched to forward facing in harness mode. These seats do not fit infants well because when rear facing, the harness straps should be at or BELOW the shoulders. This is important in a crash because otherwise, the child may slide upward on the seat, which may expose the head to injury. These tend to go from 5 to 40 lbs. If you need to have a three across, I would recommend the Diono Radian RXT because it can be used rear facing up to 45 lbs and then switched to forward facing in harness mode up to 80 lbs. Please note that when forward facing the harness straps should be at or ABOVE the shoulders to prevent shoulder compression in a crash.

Some other convertible car seats:
Diono RXT (Rearfacing up to 45 lbs) (Forward facing up to 80 lbs)
Britax Marathon (Rearfacing up to 40 lbs) (Foward facing up to 70 lbs)
Britax Boulevard (Rearfacing up to 40 lbs) (Forward facing up to 70 lbs)
Britax Advocate (Rearfacing up to 40 lbs) (Forward facing up to 70 lbs)

Please note that the Marathon, Boulevard, and Advocate are very similar car seats. The only different between the Marathon and Boulevard is that the Boulevard as "wings" to protect the head in a side impact. The Advocate has wings AND side impact cushions. Britax says that these reduce a lot of energy in a side impact, but know that there are no standards for side impact testing. The Britax Advocate is very wide due to the side impact cushions. Also, the seated shoulder heat- the height from which the child's the child's butt up to the top of the child's shoulders. A child riding in a Marathon, Boulevard, or Advocate will most likely grow out of this car seat by height rather than by weight.

The Swedish rear facing up to age 4 or 5 or until the child grows out of their car seat- by weight or by height. They have car seats that go up to 55 lbs. The Britax Multi Tech and the Britax Two Elite are good rear facing seats. They may be illegal to use, but not illegal to import. You can purchase one from carseat.se. They are very expensive so make sure that you understand that these seats are different in there use than our American car seats. These car seats are outgrown when the top of the ears are even with the headrest. This is because they have footprops and tethers do eliminate or reduce downward rotation on the seat. On an American car seat, we only have the seat belt supporting it in a crash, which means that tall children won't be able to use the seat due to too much downward rotational force. That is why American car seats are outgrown when the top of the head it even or 1 inch away from the shell. (On Forward facing car seats, the top of the ears are even with the shell).

Then after a child has maxed out on a Convertible seat, if you child maxed out before they were 6 years old, I would be looking for a forward facing car seat with harness straps because children under age 6 or 7 may not be mature enough to use a booster seat. A booster seat's job is to provide the correct belt fit. The recommendation on using a booster seat is 4 years old AND 40 lbs. Of course, this recommendation is to prevent parents from putting their children in booster seats too early.

Some extended harnessing car seats for children age 3-7 include the:
Graco Nautilus (Foward facing with harness up to 65 lbs)
Britax Frontier 85 (Forward facing with harness up to 85 lbs)

I would also recommend the Monterey Booster seat because it fits older kids better because it can go wider in addition to getting taller.

The websites in my sources will NOT waste your time. Remember that car accidents are the #1 killer of children in the USA.

What do you think is the BEST car seat for the 1st car seat?

happy m

do you own the one you think is the best or did you find out after you bought another one????? Thank-you!
I know an infant seat, but I kinda want to know brands and styles!!!

Answer
I have a little girl. I got the Laura Ashley Travel System. I like it because it has a base which stays in the car and the car seat snaps in. For the first couple of months this is great because you don't wake them to pull them out of a car seat, just take the seat out and they stay sleeping.

I recently saw`a 4in 1 Eddie Bauer Car seat. I plan on buying this because you can still use it on infant but when it goes to toddler stage it stays reclined(if you chose that setting) and when child falls asleep they are laying back somewhat to where there necks are not bent forward. I hate that! If you have a tall child the top headrest also adjusts to better suit them. It also comes with a bunch of pads for protection as the child ages.

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What do you think is the BEST car seat for the 1st car seat?

toddler travel headrest image

happy m

do you own the one you think is the best or did you find out after you bought another one????? Thank-you!
I know an infant seat, but I kinda want to know brands and styles!!!

Answer
I have a little girl. I got the Laura Ashley Travel System. I like it because it has a base which stays in the car and the car seat snaps in. For the first couple of months this is great because you don't wake them to pull them out of a car seat, just take the seat out and they stay sleeping.

I recently saw`a 4in 1 Eddie Bauer Car seat. I plan on buying this because you can still use it on infant but when it goes to toddler stage it stays reclined(if you chose that setting) and when child falls asleep they are laying back somewhat to where there necks are not bent forward. I hate that! If you have a tall child the top headrest also adjusts to better suit them. It also comes with a bunch of pads for protection as the child ages.

I need some best car seats information, please help?

Damien Moo

Answer
Rear facing is the safest way to travel for both adults and children alike. The safest car seat is the one that fits your child, your vehicle, and is used correctly each and every time. Infant seats are the type of car seats one sees in grocery stores. They usually have a removable base, so the child can be carried into the store without having to wake up the child.

Infant seats: I would recommend:
The Chicco Key Fit 30
The Britax Chaperone
The Graco Snugride 30
The Britax Besafe

Convertible car seats are car seats that are first used rear facing for your toddler, then switched to forward facing in harness mode. These seats do not fit infants well because when rear facing, the harness straps should be at or BELOW the shoulders. This is important in a crash because otherwise, the child may slide upward on the seat, which may expose the head to injury. These tend to go from 5 to 40 lbs. If you need to have a three across, I would recommend the Diono Radian RXT because it can be used rear facing up to 45 lbs and then switched to forward facing in harness mode up to 80 lbs. Please note that when forward facing the harness straps should be at or ABOVE the shoulders to prevent shoulder compression in a crash.

Some other convertible car seats:
Diono RXT (Rearfacing up to 45 lbs) (Forward facing up to 80 lbs)
Britax Marathon (Rearfacing up to 40 lbs) (Foward facing up to 70 lbs)
Britax Boulevard (Rearfacing up to 40 lbs) (Forward facing up to 70 lbs)
Britax Advocate (Rearfacing up to 40 lbs) (Forward facing up to 70 lbs)

Please note that the Marathon, Boulevard, and Advocate are very similar car seats. The only different between the Marathon and Boulevard is that the Boulevard as "wings" to protect the head in a side impact. The Advocate has wings AND side impact cushions. Britax says that these reduce a lot of energy in a side impact, but know that there are no standards for side impact testing. The Britax Advocate is very wide due to the side impact cushions. Also, the seated shoulder heat- the height from which the child's the child's butt up to the top of the child's shoulders. A child riding in a Marathon, Boulevard, or Advocate will most likely grow out of this car seat by height rather than by weight.

The Swedish rear facing up to age 4 or 5 or until the child grows out of their car seat- by weight or by height. They have car seats that go up to 55 lbs. The Britax Multi Tech and the Britax Two Elite are good rear facing seats. They may be illegal to use, but not illegal to import. You can purchase one from carseat.se. They are very expensive so make sure that you understand that these seats are different in there use than our American car seats. These car seats are outgrown when the top of the ears are even with the headrest. This is because they have footprops and tethers do eliminate or reduce downward rotation on the seat. On an American car seat, we only have the seat belt supporting it in a crash, which means that tall children won't be able to use the seat due to too much downward rotational force. That is why American car seats are outgrown when the top of the head it even or 1 inch away from the shell. (On Forward facing car seats, the top of the ears are even with the shell).

Then after a child has maxed out on a Convertible seat, if you child maxed out before they were 6 years old, I would be looking for a forward facing car seat with harness straps because children under age 6 or 7 may not be mature enough to use a booster seat. A booster seat's job is to provide the correct belt fit. The recommendation on using a booster seat is 4 years old AND 40 lbs. Of course, this recommendation is to prevent parents from putting their children in booster seats too early.

Some extended harnessing car seats for children age 3-7 include the:
Graco Nautilus (Foward facing with harness up to 65 lbs)
Britax Frontier 85 (Forward facing with harness up to 85 lbs)

I would also recommend the Monterey Booster seat because it fits older kids better because it can go wider in addition to getting taller.

The websites in my sources will NOT waste your time. Remember that car accidents are the #1 killer of children in the USA.

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