Getting Toddler to Ride in Carseat and Wear Clothes

by Frankie
(Peoria, AZ)

My daughter from a young age has been able to manipulate her body and squeeze out of any car seat restraint. Despite correcting her, and disciplining her to this day we have a very hard time getting her to sit in her car seat with a seat belt across her safely. She is 3 now.




To help remedy this we put her in a toddler seat with regular adult seat belt across body to help encourage her, but she doesn't like the feel across her body and refuses the chest portion of belt and as often as she can get away with it, will take her legs out of the lap belt portion. We have pulled the car over, taken her out of car, threatened the police man will arrest her, and we almost completely go no where with her, because she won't be safe. We cannot take any family trips or anything, because we are afraid of her getting out and getting hurt in a car wreck. I was hoping for some ideas? She also hates, hates, hates clothes and will only wear one thing out in public - any ideas?

Thank so much,
Frankie
in Sunny Arizona



Comments for Getting Toddler to Ride in Carseat and Wear Clothes

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Jul 11, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Understanding the pain and frustration
by: Whitney

My Maggie has struggled with this for several years. Going any where as a family has been unbearable at times. Going to an OT was the first step to getting help. Maggie would try different things she suggested but many of them did not fix the problem. We tried putting weighted lap pad across her, the best was chewing lots of bubble gum, blowing up balloons or punching ball balloons. We tried to give her warnings to car rides and give her the opportunity to do some heavy work to help with her nervous system. She is now out of a booster seat and this helps some but not completely. I wish there was an answer or an easy fix to this kind of problem. We still struggle some with clothes. When we find something that works we try to buy duplicates. With them growing this changes from time to time with some tantrums and poor behavior again. I hope you find an OT and maybe some help to ride peacefully in the car.
Jul 04, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		she might need a buffer
by: Anonymous

My daughter, 19 months, is starting to do this too. i've always been very sensitive to things rubbing on my skin - tags, car seat straps, etc. so I can empathize. I found that wrapping her carseat straps with soft, non-irritating fabric helps - or I just make sure the seat belts don't touch her bare skin. This seems to help. good luck!
Jul 02, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		OT???`
by: Anonymous

I was wondering if she is getting OT and if so maybe the therapist can work with her on this issue. Something must be done because this is effecting her and your whole family in a very negative manner and is quite dangerous. Best of luck with everything!!!
Jul 02, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		carseat
by: Anonymous

I don't know if this is a good idea or not but have you tried a portable DVD player. Maybe if there was a favorite show or movie that she like it might distract her from being bothered about the seat belt.Just an idea.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to The SPD Q & A.