Car journeys with a baby // Making it a little easier
09:30
I speak from experience when I say that driving with a baby can be extremely stressful and can cause you to pull at your hair! My little girl can be a nightmare when we are driving and if you're on your own it can sometimes be even more exhausting. When they are screaming an you are trying so hard to concentrate it feels as though there is nothing you can do but try and zone it out! We've come up with a few ideas that might help with your car journeys, making them a little bit easier on you and your little one(s).
1. Buy a little baby mirror
You can arrange it in the car so that the little one can see you. Even if they are screaming or crying it may make it less stressful for you to know that at least they are ok and it may calm them down a little bit as they can see your face too (if you can get their attention!) Sometimes my little one, Daisy, will just stare at whoever can see her in the mirror pretty much the whole car journey which is pretty darn cute. A mirror is also a good way to check that they are actually okay and that they don’t seem as though they are in pain. I had a ‘bad mum’ moment a while back before we had the mirror. She was screaming and screaming and I just kept talking to her to calm her down - it wasn’t until we got out of the car that I realised her headband had fallen down over her eyes!! Poor little love. Luckily it was only a 5 minute car journey.
2. Music (or singing!)
We usually talk to Daisy but in singing. She loves it and it surprisingly actually calms her down. A lot of the time it is literal gibberish and we thank god that no one can actually hear us at the time. But if it works then it works! Anything to make it just that little bit less stressful. We also turn the music up quite loud and that will sometimes help. She loves certain songs at the moment and hates others! (She loves a bit of 'Sam Smith’!)
3. A mobile or toy
Give your little one a toy or place a mobile of some sort (you can buy ones especially for car seats) so that they have some form of amusement. Staring at the back window of a car can be considerably boring and I think we may all get a little bored if that’s all we could see and we couldn’t move at all. Try a comfort blanket too, or a favourite cuddly toy. Something that will take their mind of the excessive screaming or crying that they are taking all their energy out on!
4. Remind them you are there
At traffic lights or when in traffic sometimes putting your hand behind a stroking their head/hair (if you can reach) or jiggling their car seat. This just reminds them that you are there and you are in arms reach you are just a little bit busy. It’s just a nice little bit of reassurance for them. Usually it’s best if the passenger does this instead of the driver for safety reasons.
5. Pull over
It can be so unbearable hearing your baby scream without being able to soothe them. If they really aren’t stopping and you are not able to listen to them much longer, pull up to the nearest service station or somewhere safe where you are able to get out the car and check what is wrong. They might be hungry or too hot or just need a nappy change. It might even be something as simple as they want to stretch a little!
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