Originally Posted by navillusc  To unravel your baby's behavior you might need to carefully re-examine her last pleasant trip and/or/vs her frightened trip. Things like being very close to a train or when it's blowing its whistle, or a big semi in the next lane puffing black smoke out the stacks...something that seemed merely normal to you may have spooked her without you realizing. How was she riding prior to the fear onset? Did she ride in your lap? In her own seat? Did she usually lie down on the seat...or sit upright? Was she feeling ill on either occasion? Do you usually put her in the car first, close the doors, then start the motor, but on one occasion she was outside, beside, or under the car? A car sounds different from inside because they are made to block out most of the motor sound. Has your process of readying her and the car for the trip changed?
There is most definitely a reason but you will probably need to look closely at even the most insignificant (to you) details to see it. I'd watch her very closely starting from leaving the house to approacing and getting into the car for starters.
To help her get over her anxiety, you may need to start small and work up to a trip. Maybe just take her to the car, close all the doors, and just sit there a bit, holding her, petting her, reassuring her, then departing without going anywhere. Sit in different seats in the car...see if there is a position she is more, or less, omfortable being in. When she becomes comfortable, try just starting the motor, then shuting it down and leaving the vehicle, working up to moving the car in the driveway, and later, going around the block or a short distance, working back up to longer and longer trips...especially if you are unable to discover the source of her nervousness. You can also try combinations of the motor running and not running with and without the radio going, etc. tap the horn, and blow it longer. Wipers on, washer/wipers, etc. Was there bad weather...thunder or lightning that may have frightened her? There are so many variables.
She's going to need your help and confidence to rebuild her own. Good luck! |