Could be be feeling car sick? My oldest was that way, and we discovered later just how awfully motion sick he was feeling. If he is feeling motion sick, he needs lots of fresh, cool air, but other than that, I'm not sure what you can do. One thing that helped my son was playing catchy kid tunes - he loved Disney music. A little cup of Cheerios or some other snack might help, too, but can also be a huge mess!

do you have to drive far? Could he go in stroller for short trips

My daughter isn't huge into her carseat, I don't think as bad as your son (she's 9 1/2 months). She's been happier since we got her a convertible carseat and I think she will be even better once we can put her forward-facing. My friend's 2-year-old daughter hates her carseat, and she has a little personal dvd player in the car that she puts Elmo and Babybug videos on for the little girl when they are driving. I also bought her for Christmas a Sesame St. singalong book that had it's own little CD player and CDs, and I guess she likes that in the car, too.

One thing I have found with my daughter -- getting upset just makes things worse. I know it can be really frustrating when they are screaming their heads off and you can't make it stop, but yelling will only escalate things. I put one of her CDs on and if I have the voice (I have damaged vocal chords from a recent surgery so I lose my voice easily) I sing to her and talk to her. Worst case scenario, I just focus on driving and ignore her. Think about it this way -- you are taking what is already an unpleasant experience for your son (for whatever reason, for him) and making it worse by yelling at him. He doesn't understand why he has to be in that seat. And if he's uncomfortable or car sick he certainly can't tell you that.

Yeah I notice music help with my boogier bear too, and lot of snack and toys that light up and make noise.

When my twins don't stop crying and screaming in the car seats, it makes me a big nervous if I pay attention to it. I make sure they are not pinched, they are comfortanble, they are belted in correctly and then I too sing songs that they like. And most times they settled down. A sippy cup/ cheerios helps. If I have a long way to go, I get prepared with supplies (for short trips too).
Sometimes they just sit in back and sing songs to themselves.
Most important --is like aho71 said, no yelling. Yelling is out of control frustration. not good for your health and your health is important for your son's health.

I would try to get him happier with being in the carseat. Try bringing it inside to let him sit in it in the house. If that works, then maybe put him in it in the car when you don't plan on going anywhere so that you can sit in the back with him. See if slowly getting him more used to it helps. If he's ok with it through that, then maybe he does get sick from the motion. But for now, I would work on helping him get used to it in the house and see if that makes him more comfortable in the car.

Your post title caught my eye because my 5 month old HATES his car seat!! I keep hoping that once he is in the next one it will get better...but your telling me it doesnt?? lol My husband, baby, and I are going to be driving to Maine this summer to go camping...soooooo NOT looking forward to that car trip!!! (12-14 hours!!)

Anyway, now.. I find if I sing louder than he can scream it catches his attention....for the most part...and he stops. I just CANT stop! I have to sing over and over and over...and right now his favorite is STILL Rudolph the red nose reindeer...lol Ive tried others and they just dont cut the mustard!!

I would try and not get angry and yell bc he just doesnt understand why he needs to be in his seat....try sibging or laughing or pretend crying making a fool of yourself so he sees that it is silly. A dvd player may help. The car sickness thing might be the culprit too...Im going to pay attention to that for my son bc I get awful cr sickness!!

I hope it gets better!!

My dd hates riding in the car mostly because it puts her to sleep and she hates missing anything. Ive noticed if I have her favorite snacks on hand helps...She gets cereal, or those flavored puffs you buy in the baby food section everywhere, but its worth it if she isnt screaming. Also I have a sippy cup ready and some toys too. Ive noticed if the toy lights up and plays music she will play with it more. She is in to looking at books so I have a couple of picture books in the car too.

Also when she is straight up acting a fool Ive noticed playing classical music calms me and her down, I cant handle her screaming and booty shaking music at the same time, so I flip it over to classical and it lightens up the mood!

good luck