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12-20-2012 at 12:57 PM
Emerald27
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Tips for Traveling with a Toddler

Hello, Ladies!

I am becoming more and more anxious about our upcoming drive to see family for the holidays.

DS has never liked his carseat. He has about a 25 minute limit and then the screaming begins. We've tried toys, special car only toys, snacks, iPhone games, Netflix, the mirror that allows him to see me while driving, the radio, singing songs, reading books, kisses and massage...

We've had a fair bit of luck when he was very young with leaving at naptime and getting a good 2 hour stretch in before he wakes and cries, but then the rest of the trip is tough.

I have a 3 minute rule where as long as he's just fussing, we'll continue to try and calm and distract him, but if he starts really crying, after 3 minutes I pull over. This often results in many frequent stops, an irritated and edgy DH, a tired and defeated mommy, and a sad sad baby. I really can't let him cry, though. It isn't in me...

I need help! I am dreading our 5 hour trip this weekend! Thanks so much!

ETA: DH doesn't drive but he does sit in the back with DS to help entertain him.

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12-20-2012 at 1:41 PM
MeghanGdB
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Is your little one facing forward or backwards?  I recently tried folding down the front passenger seat to give my forward-facing LO more of a view and he digs it.  He's almost 3, though.

 

Good luck!  Even if it takes you 10 half-hour rides, you'll get there. 
 
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12-20-2012 at 2:37 PM
Emerald27
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MeghanGdB:
Is your little one facing forward or backwards? nbsp;I recently tried folding down the front passenger seat to give my forwardfacing LO more of a view and he digs it. nbsp;He's almost 3, though.nbsp;Good luck! nbsp;Even if it takes you 10 halfhour rides, you'll get there.nbsp;


He's not quite 14 months and still rear facing in his infant carseat. That's a great idea for when he is older, though!

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12-20-2012 at 2:55 PM
ncbelle
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By infant seat do you mean bucket?  If so, I'd definitely try a rear facing convertible - that made a huge difference in the happiness level of both of my kids in the car.
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12-20-2012 at 3:00 PM
Emerald27
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ncbelle:
By infant seat do you mean bucket? nbsp;If so, I'd definitely try a rear facing convertible that made a huge difference in the happiness level of both of my kids in the car.


I do mean bucket. He's little: only 19 lbs. Can he ride in a convertible seat yet?

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12-20-2012 at 3:24 PM
mrscjmb941...
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Emerald27:
ncbelle:
By infant seat do you mean bucket? nbsp;If so, I'd definitely try a rear facing convertible that made a huge difference in the happiness level of both of my kids in the car.
I do mean bucket. He's little: only 19 lbs. Can he ride in a convertible seat yet?

Yes! I would def get a convertible. We just switched DS...he screamed and screamed in the bucket for the last month.

My mom has this one for DS: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11468530 which he loves - very nicely padded and plenty of room to grow! 
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12-20-2012 at 5:10 PM
Emerald27
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Ok. Thanks for the advice. DS has always hated the carseat...even on his first ride home from the hospital! Maybe a convertible seat will be better.

Now to convince DH that we need to go buy one tomorrow...Haha

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12-20-2012 at 5:31 PM
Emerald27
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Oh, boy! These are expensive! Thanks to the PP who gave a rec. Can anyone else recommend their convertible carseat? Also say why you/LO love it. I want to get something nice, but we just don't have this much cash laying around right before the holiday!

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12-20-2012 at 9:16 PM
erbear
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ncbelle:
By infant seat do you mean bucket?  If so, I'd definitely try a rear facing convertible - that made a huge difference in the happiness level of both of my kids in the car.

OMG, yes. My one year old never would have tolerated being in the bucket. Try a convertible seat, stat!

As for the driving, no real advice. I had two car seat haters. They screamed from the second you put them in to the second I took them out every.single.time. It sucked, but I wasn't about to stop driving every 2 feet and there were places we need to go. It's pretty much stopped now (DD2 is almost 2).
"Hello, babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. At the outside, babies, you've got about a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies. God damn it, you've got to be kind." - Kurt Vonnegut
 
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12-20-2012 at 9:18 PM
erbear
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Emerald27:
Oh, boy! These are expensive! Thanks to the PP who gave a rec. Can anyone else recommend their convertible carseat? Also say why you/LO love it. I want to get something nice, but we just don't have this much cash laying around right before the holiday!

We have a Britax in one car, and a Cosco Scenera in the other. The latter is about $50, super lightweight, and easy to install. Kiddo seems happy in both.

"Hello, babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. At the outside, babies, you've got about a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies. God damn it, you've got to be kind." - Kurt Vonnegut
 
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12-20-2012 at 9:48 PM
ncbelle
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The Scenera is definitely an inexpensive option.  We have Britax seats and really like them so I've not researched much beyond that (although I think I'll get a radian next for an easier three across).  Keep in mind that if you get something with a high limit, kiddo will be in this seat until you are ready for a backless booster - years!  That takes the sting out of the price ;)

But upgrade that seat - I'd bet you'll see an improvement ;) 
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12-21-2012 at 7:29 AM
Emerald27
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Thanks, ladies! I'm headed to BRU this morning!

ETA: I bought a Safety First convertible seat that is normally 179 but was marked down to 150. I asked for the floor model for 100, used a 20 percent off from rewards, and ended up paying just 85!

Thank you all so much! I installed it in the parking lot and DS was so calm and happy on the way home. He even fell asleep without a peep! Now I really feel confident and ready for our road trip!

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12-21-2012 at 2:36 PM
LatteLady5
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Emerald27:
Thanks, ladies! I'm headed to BRU this morning! ETA: I bought a Safety First convertible seat that is normally 179 but was marked down to 150. I asked for the floor model for 100, used a 20 percent off from rewards, and ended up paying just 85! Thank you all so much! I installed it in the parking lot and DS was so calm and happy on the way home. He even fell asleep without a peep! Now I really feel confident and ready for our road trip!

That is such a great deal! I hope that your little one does better in the new bigger seat.

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12-22-2012 at 4:03 PM
Emerald27
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We made it! And with minimal fussing too.

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