You buckle her in, she immediately starts screaming, and by the time you pull out of the driveway you’re already wondering if you’ll ever leave the house again or go to your Long Beach Newborn Photoshoot.

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone and you are not doing anything wrong!

The car seat struggle is one of those things nobody really warns you about:  everyone just assumes babies magically love the gentle hum of a moving car. 

Some do! And some absolutely do not. 

The good news is there are real, practical things you can try that go way beyond “just keep driving.” 

Here’s what actually helps:

Why some babies genuinely hate being in a car seat (it’s not what you think)

Many babies who scream in the car seat are reacting to the position itself, the semi-reclined angle can be uncomfortable, especially for babies dealing with gas, reflux, or tension in their neck and body from birth. 

It’s also worth knowing that newborns have very limited ability to self-soothe, so being strapped in and unable to move their arms freely can feel genuinely stressful to them! 

This doesn’t mean something is wrong with your baby it means their nervous system is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do (which I know is still frustrating)

The first thing to check before trying anything else

Before you try any of the tips below, make sure the car seat itself is installed correctly and that your baby is buckled in properly.

This sounds basic, but a harness that’s even slightly too loose or a chest clip that’s sitting too low can make the whole experience more uncomfortable for your baby, and most parents don’t realize there’s an issue until a certified car seat technician takes a look. Many fire stations and hospitals offer free car seat checks, and it genuinely makes a difference! Once you know the fit is right, you can start troubleshooting from there.

https://www.facebook.com/AnaheimPD is the great place to schedule or go to one of there events.

What actually helps when your baby screams every single time

Once you’ve ruled out fit issues, there are a few things worth trying. 
1) White noise played loudly right next to the car seat can work really well. We’re talking louder than you think, closer to the level of a running shower. The one I love and my photography clients do also its the Hatch portable noise machine. Here is the link https://a.co/d/020XwKbL

2) A mirror that lets your baby see their own reflection can help too, since some babies calm down when they have something to focus on. 

3) If your baby has reflux, keeping them upright for 20 to 30 minutes before a car ride and timing trips around feedings can make a noticeable difference.

4) A picture of mom or dad so they can “see” you while you drive and you can talk to them from the front seat.

And if you’re noticing that your baby consistently arches their back, turns their head to one side, or seems stiff and uncomfortable even outside of the car, it might be worth seeing a pediatric chiropractor or physical therapist!  Birth can sometimes create tension in a baby’s body that makes certain positions really hard and this might make it easier to go to your Long Beach Newborn Photoshoot.

The car seat phase is hard, and if every errand feels like a major production right now, that’s completely valid.

But it usually does get easier… babies get bigger, their nervous systems mature, and what felt impossible at three weeks often resolves itself by three months.

In the meantime, be patient with yourself and try not to make it mean more than it does. You’re figuring this out in real time, and that’s exactly what good mamas do!

http://candiceswansonphotography.com/newborn — come see what a session looks like!