Motion Sickness Worries

[mcgrawfan]

Since our DD (now 4) was 2 we have had some boughts of motion sickness with her. Once on the airplane, on a ME bus and some times here and there in our vehichle. We now know to give her 1/2 tablet of Dramamine before a long car ride (1 hour or more). I dont enjoy giving my child drugs, but I hate the thought of her tummy being upset. On prior visits to Disney the rides have never affected her and she has been on many rides at the Mall of America and has had to issues with that. I am not too worried about the rides. I am still worried about on the plane. Any other thoughts or tips from other experienced parents would be highly appreciated!!

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Having motion sickness is not fun for anyone. I get it as well as my middle child, so when we are planning on traveling, I pack the medication. I don't want to take a chance. It has happened way to many times, and it's not fun.

Normally during the day and on the short rides, we have not had a problem so we don't use the meds. It's only the car ride that we have to worry about.

 

[lisadr]

They have a kiddie version of dram-it is a quick tab and it is raspberry flavored. They also sell this oil you put behind the ear to relive nausea. And last but not least -good old fashioned ginger. Ginger tea, ginger ale-even ginger snaps with help.

For my entire life I have gotten sick on everything so I sympathize

 

[all4fun]

There is also Bonine for kids here. Just thought I'd mention it. We have been fortunate to not be afflicted with this condition. I hope she outgrows it. eta: oops, sorry that says it's for kids 6yrs old older. too bad.

 

[adventure_woman]

TRY SEABANDS!! I swore by them when I was pregnant. People also wear them on cruises, cars, etc. I bought mine at Target (they were behind the counter). BUT, I just saw them in the One Step Ahead catalog (the same price as Target too). I would definately give them a try. (They take getting some used to on your wrist, but it was definately worth it).

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/search.jsp?N=0&Nty=1&Ntk=Def&Ntx=mode matchpartialmax&Ntt=12362

 

[ckrum]

I know just what you are going through. DD8 has been getting carsick since she was 2. It is better now that she's older, because she understands what is happening and can let me know she's feeling bad. We used to use 1/2 Dramamine and that worked great. But, then we began to notice that sometimes the Dramamine would make her have some behavior issues. I think it was making her tired, but she fought it and then was acting "rotten". I talked to her pediatrician and he said to try Benadryl (they work the same). We made the switch & it does work. I don't like to medicate her, but for plane/bus rides I feel it's necessary. She threw up on the airplane once & there were no "bags". YUCK!! The rides have never bothered her. She goes on everything and has never mentioned feeling bad.
Also, it helps if I don't let her get too hungry. So, I always have some crackers for her to munch on and water to drink.

I get motion sick very easily and the only rides that bother me are the ones that go in circles (tilt-a-whirl, carousel, flying swings, etc...). I tried seabands and they didn't help me. The feeling of them, on my wrist, actually made me feel worse. I would rather take meds, that I know will work, than to get motion sick. It is a horrible feeling!

Be prepared and keep a bag, some wipes, and extra change of clothes just in case.

Good luck & have a great time!

 

[mcgrawfan]

I know just what you are going through. DD8 has been getting carsick since she was 2. It is better now that she's older, because she understands what is happening and can let me know she's feeling bad. We used to use 1/2 Dramamine and that worked great. But, then we began to notice that sometimes the Dramamine would make her have some behavior issues. I think it was making her tired, but she fought it and then was acting "rotten". I talked to her pediatrician and he said to try Benadryl (they work the same). We made the switch & it does work. I don't like to medicate her, but for plane/bus rides I feel it's necessary. She threw up on the airplane once & there were no "bags". YUCK!! The rides have never bothered her. She goes on everything and has never mentioned feeling bad.
Also, it helps if I don't let her get too hungry. So, I always have some crackers for her to munch on and water to drink.

I get motion sick very easily and the only rides that bother me are the ones that go in circles (tilt-a-whirl, carousel, flying swings, etc...). I tried seabands and they didn't help me. The feeling of them, on my wrist, actually made me feel worse. I would rather take meds, that I know will work, than to get motion sick. It is a horrible feeling!

Be prepared and keep a bag, some wipes, and extra change of clothes just in case.

Good luck & have a great time!

Thanks for the tips! We always have our "bag" in the car along with wipes and Purell. I was under the impression that Benadryl would make them sleepy. Did this not happen with your DD?? The Dram has worked for us but she really hates the taste of it. I feel bad giving it to her, but I know it is better than the alternative.

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

check with your dr. I had a patch the last trip and it was wonderful. BUT I don't know if it would work for a small child. Good luck.

 

[Ellen aka Snow White]

Another vote for the Ginger. I can't fly without it!! They sell Ginger capsules in the vitamins section at the drugstore. No side effects. I got sick on a plane ONCE and was determined I wasn't going to go through that again! I can't take medication as EVERYthing knocks me out - non-drowsy or other wise! Ginger is great to have on hand anytime you get an upset feeling in your stomach.
Ellen

 

[TaraPA]

Everyone makes fun of me but I ALWAYS have zip lock bags in the car, in my carry-on, in my backpack. DS11 gets motion sickness & the ziplock bags have been a lifesaver at times! I always know where it is, and I make sure I can grab it quickly. For the plane I'd be sure to have extra clothing for BOTH of you - it's such a small area that if your child gets sick it will most likely end up on you as well.

He responds best to Bonine, but every child is different in what they can take. He also feels better with some food in his stomach - but he can't eat it while driving/flying. He eats some pretzels or crackers before the trip.

 

[laceemouse]

Do you give her the orange chewable dramamines? I think they taste fine, and my kids have needed them on and off and do not complain.

I have taken dramamine all of my life. Bonine gave me terrible side effects, and I think the patches are only for adults. None of the natural remedies have EVER worked for me. I get sick in the car, planes, trains, rides, you name it.

I have to add, most people think if you have motion sickness you throw up and then feel all better. Not me. I have felt sick for DAYS after an incident. Give her the drugs and let her sleep. Dramamine knocks me out, but non-drowsy dramamine is the same drug as bonine and I took it once and had a terrible heavy feeling all day, I am scared to ever try it again!!

 

[mcgrawfan]

Do you give her the orange chewable dramamines? I think they taste fine, and my kids have needed them on and off and do not complain.

I have taken dramamine all of my life. Bonine gave me terrible side effects, and I think the patches are only for adults. None of the natural remedies have EVER worked for me. I get sick in the car, planes, trains, rides, you name it.

I have to add, most people think if you have motion sickness you throw up and then feel all better. Not me. I have felt sick for DAYS after an incident. Give her the drugs and let her sleep. Dramamine knocks me out, but non-drowsy dramamine is the same drug as bonine and I took it once and had a terrible heavy feeling all day, I am scared to ever try it again!!

Yeah..I give her the orange chewable Dramamine. She is a pretty good medicine taker but there must be something about this! I usually give her water to drink right after she takes it.

I have learned from experience to bring extra clothes. Last trip I was totally not expecting it because she had flown before and it got all over her and on me. Luckily I had packed her pj's in her carry on so she was able to wear that the rest of the day. But I felt gross the rest of the day...not a lot got on me. But you know how that smell stays in your nose..

 

[ckrum]

Thanks for the tips! We always have our "bag" in the car along with wipes and Purell. I was under the impression that Benadryl would make them sleepy. Did this not happen with your DD?? The Dram has worked for us but she really hates the taste of it. I feel bad giving it to her, but I know it is better than the alternative.

I don't know what it is about the Dramamine, but it gives her that restless/weird/tired feeling which in turn makes her act weird. Benadryl does make her tired, but w/out the weird behavior. DH refuses to let her take Dramanine anymore because of it.

Oh, & the orange chewable Dramamine does have an "odd" taste. DD says it kind of "burns" her tongue when she chews it. She has said that about some other chewable childrens meds also.

 

[redrosesix]

I don't know what it is about the Dramamine, but it gives her that restless/weird/tired feeling which in turn makes her act weird. Benadryl does make her tired, but w/out the weird behavior. DH refuses to let her take Dramanine anymore because of it.

Oh, & the orange chewable Dramamine does have an "odd" taste. DD says it kind of "burns" her tongue when she chews it. She has said that about some other chewable childrens meds also.

They sell the same ingredients here in Canada as an over-the-counter sleeping pill - so it would be fine if you had the flu and were staying in bed. But no wonder it makes her behave differently. I can't take it myself unless I am actually just about to go to sleep.

I have always had problems with motion sickness myself, so I can so sympathize. I wish I could do the crazy rides - do people get used to them? Of course, now that I'm a mother I also get scared on the rides too - I can't believe I start to think the thing will crash or something.

 

[nolenurse2000]

I second the SeaBands! I used them while I was pregnant. Also, one of the mom's in playgroup had a 4 mo old who cried and vomited everytime in the car. 4 months of that and someone gave her some seabands....worked wonders!!!
--K

 

[kimmylaj]

my pedi recommends seabands, and benadryl for the plane. my dd is only 2 to young for motion sickness meds, but this has worked for us the last 6 plane rides, and she gets car sick alot.

 

[mombare]

I have also had problems with motion sickness and took Dramamine. Once my nurse friend told me to take some Benadryl also (we were on a pretty long flight)...I have to admit it was heavenly because I slept the entire time. Later I found out benadryl and dramamine have the same active ingredients! On a side note, when I am not feeling well (think stomach bug), I take Benadryl and it just puts me to sleep!
I have concerns about my kids getting motion sickness also - dd6 complains of a 'headache' when we travel any length of time in the car. Our family doctor suggested 1/2 tablet of Bonine for her. We drove from MN to FL (over the course of 3 days there and 3 days back) and we had not problems when she was medicated. She didn't even sleep!