Hi everyone, this is my very first post since I've been a member. I have a 7 mo old baby boy who is the happiest little thing and always enjoys his car rides. He gets to ride just about every day; short trips, long trips, whatever it is, he either falls asleep quickly or sits and babbles happily to himself while listening to the radio (or momma) sing.
Just yesterday (like any other day) I put him in his car seat (full stomach and clean diaper mind you) and brought him out to the car, strapped him in and started pulling out of the driveway for a trip to the grocery store. He started to cry and as much as I tried to sooth him and calm him down he continued his crying until we got to the store. Got out, cheered him up (and double checked everything to make sure it wasn't a tight car seat strap or something), and went through the whole episode again on the way home.
And then the same thing again today. I don't understand what could be the problem. He absolutely HATES his car seat! It makes me so sad to see him like this; its so sudden and I don't know what to do. Nothing has happened to him while he was in his car seat to make him feel like its dangerous or uncomfortable. I really need some advice on this one. Thank you all in advance.

It might be a phase. As babies get older they are more and more aware of their surroundings. My son as never afraid of the vacuum cleaner until last week. He was in his playpen in the next room and I came in to vacuum the room he was in. I was nowhere near him and once he saw it he started crying and was very upset. He also acted like he didnt know his once uncle the other day and made strange with him. And his one aunt (in law to be) looked at him last week (hes only seen her twice) he freaked. He's six and a half months now. Maybe the feel of the motion or even the objects whirring by bother him? Or maybe he doesnt want to be constrained. Has he learned any new milestones like crawling lately? I would just wait a few days or a week of not taking him for a ride and see what happens.

Thank you so much, this makes me feel a little better. Yes, he's learned several new milestones this past week like his pincer (sp?) grasping, pulling to a standing position, and getting a hang of his crawling. I will do the best I can to try your advice about not taking him for any car rides though it will be difficult because it is mostly just me and him so he usually comes with me everywhere. I am wondering if any other moms have seen this unusual phase before. I've never heard anyone having this particular problem so it just scared me a little. Thank you so much for your input Lindsey.

I had the same problem with my son when he was like 7 months old-just ignore it!!! he will learn that there is no point to fight because he needs to seat in his car seat.If he still cries 20 minutes after than stop and try to talk to him but I thing he will scream in the beginning and he will stop after 10 minutes when he sees that that it doesn't help

I had the same problem w/ my daughter, she HATED her car seat whenever she saw it she would start screaming. As Mom's we have errands we have to run and not taking the baby with us is usually not an option. All you can do is continue to put him in his car seat, he will outgrow the crying/screaming. Sometimes toys help to distract them but not always.

our son went through that. Turned out to be that he was not comfortable. We had to adjust his car seat to give him more leg room. He was too cramped with his legs against the back seat. We ended up buying a convertable carseat. He still can't ride for a long time. I'll be glad when he can face forward and have more leg room.

Have you checked to see if buttons, tags, snaps, zippers etc may be bothering him? Sometimes these push against them if they are where the straps or buckle of the car seat are such as the button/snap on pants. Other than that and being too warm (bundled up for outside but of course inside car is warmer) my little one only cries because she is uncomfortable (ie. Needs to burp again) or sometimes she wants to see what is going on around her so I get her out of the car seat and let her look around for a few minutes. Also I try to do errands around the same time everyday so she knows what to expect and it helps if she is getting tired so I often play with her before we go so she releases some of her pent up energy, them a quick top off of food, burp, changed diaper and we are ready to go.