Help ! Child gets motion sickness !

[MomE@Home]

I've just found out that my DD(3) gets motion sickness. Every time we go somewhere in the car she gets sick.

What out there works for motion sickness? I would rather not give her any medication if I can help it.

Please give me any advice you can! I don't want her to be sick the whole drive down to FL. & back or any other time!

Thank You

 

[tjmw2727]

You could try the wrist bands but they did not work for my kids who both get car sick and air sick.

Unfortunately, despite your hesistation, the only thing that works for my girls is dramamine! We use the childrens chewable according to the age and weight and it works like a charm. I also have the eat light and avoid dairy the night before and the day of the flight/drive.

Good luck finding alternatives!!
TJ

 

[wdaveo]

I just talked to my Doctor about this. Dramamine (the original formulation) is the only thing approved for kids. Bad thing is it makes them very sleepy.

She also said that Benedryl will work (not sure why), but that, too, will make them sleepy.

 

[NotUrsula]

Yep, Dramamine is the only med for little kids. It also comes in liquid, but you usually have to ask the pharmacist to order it for you, few stores stock it as a matter of course.

You can try feeding her ginger, especially chunks of candied ginger if she will eat them. Unfortunately, a lot of kids dislike ginger; it tends to be a flavor that people grow into liking.
There are also some homeopathic remedies available at health-food stores, but those are still drugs, and unregulated drugs at that.

One very important thing: If she has just suddenly developed this problem, does it happen in every car you put her in, or only in one? If exhaust fumes are making their way back into the passenger compartment, a small child will be affected most quickly. Try driving with the windows down and see if that helps her, and if it does, get your car's emissions tested to make sure you have no CO leaks. (If fresh air helps that is no proof that carbon monoxide is present, but you should rule it out.)

 

[MomE@Home]

Thank you everyone for your replies. My DD has been getting motion sickness ever since we bought a new mini-van(about a month ago). She has not been in any other vehicle so I'm not sure if it's only the mini-van making her sick. I will have our van looked at to make sure it's not leaking fumes(Thank you NotUrsula, I would never have thought that it could be that).

 

[tjmw2727]

You know, I was going to mention that the only place my dd's don't get car sick is in my van but to suggest buying one was a bit "over the top" LOL.

We can't go on any longer than 10 15 minutes in dh's car but they are ok in my van esp if they can see out the window. Neither girl can sit in the middle back seat in any car.

Since your dd is three have you recently converted to a booster carseat or are you by any chance using a different placement in the new van? My 7yo still uses a booster anyway but it seems to help with the motion sickness because she can see out the window.

FWIW - I slightly under dose my kids when we use the dramamine - it curbs the motion sickness but seems minimize the sleepyness.

TJ

 

[MomE@Home]

Originally posted by tjmw2727


Since your dd is three have you recently converted to a booster carseat or are you by any chance using a different placement in the new van? My 7yo still uses a booster anyway but it seems to help with the motion sickness because she can see out the window.


TJ

My dd is using a new booster seat. She can see out a lot better in our new vehicle than she could in our old one(Jeep Cherokee- SP?). She is still in the same place as before. The new van rides a lot smoother than our Jeep did-could that make any difference?

 

[Jordan's MOM]

Ous DS started getting motion sickness about that age too. Dr says toddlers and infants rarely get it so it is most likely just her age. Dramamine works, BUT you have to contend with a sleepy grumpy kid. Not a problem in the car but can get real old if you are stoping and getting out to eat etc. We have tried everything. What seems to help is letting him graze though the trip on carbohydrate type snacks such as crackers, pretzels etc, but limit the drinks. Ginger snap crackers are good as is ginger ale if she will drink it. Mine never would. Crack the window and encourage her to look straight ahead. Try reading to her from a story book without a lot of pictures.
Don't forget the issues with the rides at the park. DS without medication would get sick on anything. Even the mery-go round can be a killer. Avoid the teas cups at all cost. Rides like dumbo etc can cause problems too. We cheated and went to less drowsey dramamine when DS was about 9 but you have a long way to go. Try playing with the dose and give just enough to work with out too much side effects. GOOD LUCK.

Jordans' mom