Car Seat Blues

When your baby is awake and behaving well in a car restraint, a little positive reinforcement can go a long way toward keeping the peace. Frequent praise and attention can teach a child that travel in a car restraint is a positive experience.

• You can decorate the seat and personalize it for your baby to make it special. If your baby is in a rear facing car seat, tape a brightly colored picture to the seat of the car for visual stimulation, or attach a soft mobile overhead to a car seat.

• What if, in spite of all your good intentions and best efforts, your properly restrained baby begins to scream when you drive down the interstate? Well, ideally, you should pull off the highway to save the driver from dangerous distraction and to soothe your child.

But it's not always possible, so you might want to try these distraction techniques:

1. Turn up the radio; play a tape; sing a loud song. Babies aren't particular about the choice of tunes; they just enjoy the sound of your voice.

2. Rub a baby's tummy gently, and talk in soft, soothing tones.

3. And finally, be sure to have that extra pacifier or a bottle on hand to use as needed.

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