My daughter (3 and a half months) is crying in the carrycot all the time - she wants to see, so I have to have her in the baby carrier or put her in the car seat. I know that the car seat is not good for her for longer periods of time, but I don't want to hurt my hands or my back over time - it would be great for me if she accepted the stroller in one way or another. Is it possible to put her in a seat unit already?
28 Sep 2019
Hi!
If the baby is crying in the lying position but is more or less satisfied in your hands or in a car seat, she is probably either very curious or may be suffering from reflux. Reflux would explain why she feels better in a more vertical position.
There is really not much to do if her curiosity is the case - just allow her to see, thus really use a seat unit (but really only in the flat - fully reclined position). I will, therefore, try to address the possible case of reflux first - if you are not ready to give up on the carrycot yet. First, I would try to heighten the mattress in it, under her head, by putting something under it. You can help yourself with a folded towel, for example, or you can buy a specialized wedge pillow. If your stroller has carrycot with an inclining function, lift it to the first possible position. Warning! If your little one does not yet sit by herself, which she certainly does not do at this age, don't tilt it to an angle smaller than 150 degrees tilt so as not to hurt her back.
Another option is to try to put her in the carrycot on the belly. My third son liked this position very much. It can also help with reflux, while the baby "exercises" and has a kind of a view. This, of course, also depends on the depth and features of your carrycot - for example, stroller systems such as Joolz feature carrycots with an opening part for ventilation as well as for a better view for the baby view. And - don't give up lying on the tummy immediately. Sometimes children get startled at first and cry at first, but by repeating this activity, they get used to it and then, often, even prefer it.
If none of this sounds tempting or works, you should definitely try the seat unit afterwards. At this age, however, it is necessary to be able to adjust it into a lay-flat position. I don't know what stroller model you are currently using, but if it is a bucket-type of a seat it is equipped with, it would be better to buy an original - or universal - newborn insert leveling the surface to an almost flat. You can also find one at Stokke, Mamas&Papas and other brands.
From approximately 5-6 months or from the time the baby can hold its head steadily, it can be put in the seat unit without an insert. Don't forget, however, that she can only be lying there - until the time she sits completely by herself, that is. Occasional use of the car seat instead of the carrycot/seat unit is ok if it is not for a long time and/or too often. I mean, it is only suitable for a short walk or, for example, for shopping. A longer or regular use of a car seat like this is simply not recommended because it is neither healthy nor natural for such a small child.
Your -very berry- Eli.