It’s generally assumed that most babies love travelling in the car. After all, the gentle motion, the hum of the engine and a cosy car seat should be the perfect recipe for a peaceful nap.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for my daughter. From her very first car trip home from the hospital, she absolutely hated it. She screamed from the moment we strapped her in until we pulled her sweaty, shuddering little body out at the end of every trip.
Driving quickly became stressful for everyone involved, but for both practical and mental health reasons, I couldn’t stop using the car. We still needed to eat, run errands and attend appointments—and just as importantly, I needed to get out of the house for my own wellbeing. As tempting as it was to stay home, I knew I had to find a way for my daughter to tolerate car trips for all our sakes.
After doing some research, I discovered that it’s actually quite common for young babies to dislike travelling in the car. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to make the experience more bearable—and even enjoyable—for both parents and babies.
Here are some things you can try:
Install a mirror
Some babies feel overwhelmed when they can’t see mum or dad, and that was certainly the case for us. An easy solution is to attach a car seat mirror to the back of the headrest. Not only could my baby see us, but I could also easily check on what she was doing while driving.
Get some shade
My baby was born in summer and hated the hot sun on her face. Installing sun shades on the rear windows was a great way to block out the sun, reduce glare and keep the back seat cooler and more comfortable.
Change from a capsule
Capsules are incredibly convenient, however some babies don’t like how enclosed they feel—particularly in warmer weather. If your baby is in a capsule and seems overly uncomfortable, you may want to consider switching to a convertible car seat. A child car seat like the Britax Safe-n-Sound Graphene EA™ can be a great option. It allows children to remain rear-facing until around two to three years of age, which is up to five times safer than forward-facing. Plus, its slimline design means it’s compact enough to fit three seats across the back of the car.
Consider the temprature
If you’re not ready to swap out the capsule but think your baby may be getting too hot, there are other simple solutions. I bought a small portable pram fan from a baby store and clipped it onto the edge of the headrest. They’re lightweight and have a flexible head so you can direct the airflow where needed. If you have a particularly sweaty little bub, it’s also worth considering the fabric your car seat is made from. The latest Britax car seats feature high-performance fabrics that promote airflow and wick moisture away, helping to keep your baby cooler for longer.
Add some entertainment
Sometimes all babies need is a little distraction. In-built DVD players—or even tablets mounted to the back of the front seats—can be a great way to keep little ones entertained. It’s also important to avoid loose toys or objects that could become airborne while driving.
Play some music
On more than one occasion, I resorted to singing Old MacDonald Had a Farm at the top of my lungs to soothe my restless little one. After a few months, I decided to outsource my singing and bought a Play School CD to keep in the car. Every time we needed a distraction, I would press play and There’s a Bear in There would calm her instantly. These days, Spotify playlists make it even easier.
Plan your journey
When planning a car trip, it’s important to consider your baby’s routine. I quickly learned that travelling when my baby was hungry was never ideal. There’s nothing worse than hearing their distress and knowing what they need, but not being able to give it to them straight away. I found that timing longer journeys around nap times worked best—if my baby was tired enough, she might eventually fall asleep in the car, making the journey far more peaceful.
For us, it was a combination of all of the above suggestions that eventually helped my daughter tolerate car trips. Like many aspects of parenting, it really came down to trial and error.
Experiment with different solutions until you find what works for you and your baby—and before long, car trips may become a far calmer part of your routine. Bon voyage!
