Children and Seasickness

[DBMagic]

I know this has been covered before but I cannot find the thread. I have two girls (6 & 10) and this will be their first cruise. I am not going to make a big deal about seasickness to them but I want to be prepared in the case that they do feel sick. What did you find to work the best for someone this age?


Thanks for the help

 

[Scratch42]

1 container of Bonine (8 tablets non drowsey)
Sea Bands
Ginger Candy

Had Gravol last year but did not help but DD's ailment was not just seasickness!LOL

DD will start taking the Bonine probably Friday, just in case! Apparently, Ginger is a natural remedy for seasickness but not taking any chances!

See you in 17 days and counting!

Scratch

 

[DBMagic]

Thanks Scratch.

Do they make Bonine for children? I thought I read somewhere that bonine was for ages 12 and up.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by DBMagic
Do they make Bonine for children? I thought I read somewhere that bonine was for ages 12 and up.

You are correct.

Bonine is Meclizine Hydrochloride. Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula is also Meclizine Hydrochloride. The directions for both indicate that they are for ages 12 and over only.

There is no Children's Bonine or Children's Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula. (Your pediatrician might approve use by children who are not yet 12, but it's likely to be a case-by-case judgement.)

Dramamine Original Formula can be give to children as young as 2, according to the directions on the package. Dramamine Original Formula is Dimenhydrinate.

In the US, Bonine and Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula are available without a prescription. (That's not true everywhere.)

Originally posted by Scratch42
1 container of Bonine (8 tablets non drowsey)

There is no such thing as Non-drowsy Bonine. Meclizine Hydrochloride is an antihistamine which often produces some drowsiness. (That's also why it's called Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula, not Dramamine Non-Drowsy Formula.)

In Canada, Meclizine Hydrochloride requires a prescription. The common brand name is Bonamine, not Bonine.

 

[renzdr]

The Bonine has a line down the middle of the tablets and my doctor told me to break it in half and give each of my kids 9 & 11 1/2 of a tablet. Worked great giving it just before bed.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by renzdr
The Bonine has a line down the middle of the tablets and my doctor told me to break it in half and give each of my kids 9 & 11 1/2 of a tablet. Worked great giving it just before bed.

Our pediatrician also said Bonine was okay for our children. But I would caution other parents to check with their pediatrician about their children -- and not to go by what other doctors have advised regarding the suitability of Bonine for other childen.

 

[marypopfan]

Any hints for a 4 yr old?

 

[Karel]

I should have been more worried about me than the kids - I was down Saturday night while they partied in the kids club. I did give them all Dramamine though and neglected to take one myself. (I was fine on the last cruise...)

Dramamine should be fine for your four year old. The dosage is so small you should be able to hid it in something. Give it at bed time so they won't be too tired during the day. My guys just needed one dose and they were fine the whole cruise. Or you could try sea bands too. My husband liked them.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by marypopfan
Any hints for a 4 yr old?

Dramamine Original Formula can be give to children as young as 2, according to the directions on the package.

 

[marypopfan]

Thanks for the hint, I will have to hide it because he will not take anything !!!!!!!! Does the Dramamine come in flavors? Thanks again !!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by marypopfan
Does the Dramamine come in flavors?

Yes. Dramamine is available in orange flavor chewable tablets. This is Dimenhydrinate, for ages 2 and up.

See http://www.acidrelief.com/conaffairs/acid_relief8.shtml

 

[marypopfan]

Ok, two more: Should I give it to him the night before we sail? Does it last all day

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by marypopfan
Ok, two more: Should I give it to him the night before we sail? Does it last all day

The directions are shown at http://www.acidrelief.com/conaffairs/acid_relief8.shtml

 

[mobetsy]

In the ginger category, other options are to look for ginger ale that really has ginger in it, or ginger cookies. Trader Joe's carries the latter (as well as ginger candy, I believe), ones in which ginger is more than simply a trace ingredient. There might also be ginger tea.