Reasons Children and Babies Cry in the Car
Improper fit in their car seat. Body temperature (too hot or too cold) The child is not feeling well. They are bored.
Consoling your baby
Walking up and down the aisle may calm them and shouldn't cause problems for other passengers. A favourite toy may also help to distract them. If they are inconsolable, try taking your baby to the back of the plane where the hum of the engine may mask their crying.
Layer your clothes so that you can stay cool or warm at any destination. Try to stick to baby's routine if possible. Don't interrupt her sleep schedule, but also set realistic expectations. Usually parents and baby just have to wait for the colic to pass.
The screams usually stem from the fact that babies can't neutralize their ears to the changes in air pressure that come with takeoff and landing, says Dr. Grow.
Too much noise, movement or visual stimulation — which they might get when hopping around in a jumper or strapped into the backseat of a moving car — might be too intense for sensitive babies, making them upset and cry. Baby is uncomfortable.
However, infant healthcare professionals, safety experts and most car manufacturers recommend that babies should not be in a car seat for longer than 2 hours at a time and they should be taken out frequently. If your trip involves driving for long periods of time, you should stop for regular breaks.
Some babies just hate being restrained in any form and it's this that they protest about. Another possibility is that he gets car/motion sick and the movement is upsetting him. Or, perhaps it's a combination of both.
In general, it's okay to let your baby cry in the car seat for a short period of time if you think they'll eventually fall asleep or stop crying on their own. However, if they seem distressed and are still crying after several minutes, it's best to pull over and check on them again.
As many parents know, babies often love to sleep in the car. The droning sounds of the engine remind your little one of the womb—and may help send them into slumberland. And the jiggly movements seems to keep babies stimulated enough to promote breathing.
But infants aren't as fragile as parents sometimes fear. And by age 3 months or so, babies are pretty good candidates for travel, as long as the trip is low-key.
Travelling with a baby by car will take longer than travelling with adults. Plan for regular breaks (about 1 break for every 2 hours travel) and expect unscheduled stops, such as for nappy changes. Babies are not meant to spend long periods of time in their car seat.
First, a car ride tends to be pretty comfortable. The baby is all snuggled up in his car seat, maybe with his lovey or favorite blanket. Next, the motion and vibration of the car is relaxing to most babies. There is nothing new to hear, see, or feel so it calms most babies enough to fall asleep.
Many kids struggle with long car rides. But for people with autism, sensory needs or other disabilities, even a short car trip can be hard. They may feel uncertainty of what will happen at the destination, and the sensory elements of the ride like the motion, noises and sights can be overwhelming.
Experienced traveling families already know this, but in most cases the hardest time to travel with a child is from when they become squirmy and mobile by about 9 months old until they hit the age of reason bargaining/cartooning/snacking at about 18 months.
It's OK to let your baby cry if the baby doesn't seem sick and you've tried everything to soothe your baby. You can try to leave your baby alone in a safe place, such as a crib, for about 10 to 15 minutes. Many babies need to cry before they can fall asleep. And they'll nod off faster if you leave them to cry.
Colic is often defined by the “rule of three”: crying for more than three hours per day, for more than three days per week, and for longer than three weeks in an infant who is well-fed and otherwise healthy.
Colic babies typically experience the "Rule of 3s" - crying episodes that last at least 3 hours a day, occur more than 3 times a week for more than 3 weeks. In contrast, the crying of a high needs baby starts at birth an increases in intensity throughout their life.