Puppy Pads in Car Seats?

[Gracefulskinny]

DD has developed a bit of a habit of getting car sick within the last 30 minutes of a long trip. On our last trip DH and I started thinking about ways to prevent and better deal with it should it happen on our next trip.

Here's what I am wondering, has anyone tried putting down puppy pads on to the car seat to help make clean up from such a mess easier? Did it work? Was it safe? (I'm a smidge worried about the slide factor with something like that.)

General thoughts on the idea appreciated thanks!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

having had a dog who used the pads size of the pads make me wonder about the belts fitting around the pad. plus is you child old enough to leave pad alone and not pull it apart. could make an even bigger mess plus if a younger child putting in mouth

 

[Gracefulskinny]

having had a dog who used the pads size of the pads make me wonder about the belts fitting around the pad.

I was thinking that I would use scissors and some tape and cut a hole for the buckle so that bunching wouldn't be an issue.

plus is you child old enough to leave pad alone and not pull it apart.

you bring up a good point with this one. We are talking about a 3 1/2 year old and while in theory I would say that probably we could get her to leave it alone, it is however realistically a 7-10 hour drive down there. I didn't think of this part.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

cutting the hole will open up pad to loosing filling in the carseat and getting on child's hands which can end up in child's mouth. I would call this a good idea on paper just not sure about real life

 

[Muskrat191]

I use puppy pads under my kids in their car seat when potty training. I don't find the pads slide around and my kids at age 2 didn't pull apart the pads, but the longest drive I've ever done was maybe an hour and a half. I don't cut a hole or anything.

The problem is the puppy pad is not going to save the straps, which I find are the hardest part to clean (generally the manual says not to submerge the straps in water). Could she be taught to grab a nearby bucket/bag/etc? It seems like some type of plastic poncho or long bib over top the straps would be ideal, but I know my DD at 3 1/2 would not have tolerated that.

 

[DIS_MERI]

By 3.5, mine were old enough to hold a big McDs cup up to their mouth if they were feeling sick....

 

[eeyoreandtink]

how about a bucket, like the the popcorn buckets they sell at the movies for you to bring back and refill?

 

[Gracefulskinny]

We had a vomit bucket with us last time and she over shot the bucket. The puppy pads would just be an extra layer of protection.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

We had a vomit bucket with us last time and she over shot the bucket. The puppy pads would just be an extra layer of protection.

Ahh, How about the adult incontinence bed pads that have the adhesive on them to attach to the bed? It wouldn't save the carseat but could protect the carpet and seats of your car. also, check ETSY. There are sellers that thet make removable covers for carseats that can be easily taken off and washed.

 

[scrapquitler]

Get an old sheet or towel and cut a hole in it for the car seat buckle. If you don't have one, buy one (or a couple) at a thrift store. A sheet that's bigger and overhangs onto the car seat will protect the seat if she spews sideways. Been there, done that.

 

[MickeyPretzel15]

Putting anything between your child and the straps of the car seat is generally a bad idea safety wise. Draping a towel over the car seat, once your DD is strapped in, might be an option.

 

[scdak]

Another idea is to look into disposable bags to use, one in particular on Amazon is called Vomibag and another version made by Primacare- I am sure there are others. This version is used where I work (ER) , they are easy for children and adults to use since they are held up to the face, they "seal" off thus don't spill, they are sturdy and rather inexpensive. I can attest to the fact they they work well. The other ideas about towels, disposable pads etc are good to as extra protection.

 

[Muskrat191]

Putting anything between your child and the straps of the car seat is generally a bad idea safety wise. Draping a towel over the car seat, once your DD is strapped in, might be an option.

While I would typically agree (I am a CPST AKA car seat tech in Canada), a thin chux pad is ok according to most techs. Here is a link from CSFTL: http://csftl.org/car-seat-accidents/

I would not suggest a pad with adhesive, as it would potentially move differently in a crash (the same way that harness covers that did not come with a car seat can change the way the seat performs in crash testing).

 

[Gracefulskinny]

While I would typically agree (I am a CPST AKA car seat tech in Canada), a thin chux pad is ok according to most techs. Here is a link from CSFTL: http://csftl.org/car-seat-accidents/

I would not suggest a pad with adhesive, as it would potentially move differently in a crash (the same way that harness covers that did not come with a car seat can change the way the seat performs in crash testing).

Fabulous This was very helpful!

 

[Gracefulskinny]

Another idea is to look into disposable bags to use, one in particular on Amazon is called Vomibag and another version made by Primacare- I am sure there are others. This version is used where I work (ER) , they are easy for children and adults to use since they are held up to the face, they "seal" off thus don't spill, they are sturdy and rather inexpensive. I can attest to the fact they they work well. The other ideas about towels, disposable pads etc are good to as extra protection.

I think I know what you are talking about (I used something along these lines in the delivery room with my daughter.) And that might be something to think about as well. On our last trip we just brought a largeish plastic basin that we rinsed out with a bottle of water. but disposable would be better.

 

[jacknsally19]

We have some issues with car sicknesses. I just want to mention a few things that seemed to reduce our incidents. My pediatrician suggested using Benadryl - not to put her to sleep bu I guess it's really similar to Dramamine - and it made a big difference. The other thing - I purchased at target or Walmart some aromatherapy that is meant to reduce car sicknesses. You apply a little bit behind the ears. It's helped us so much! (I am not really a new age medicine person but when you are desperate....)

Anyway, I think you got some great ideas here. I am going to steal some

 

[Gracefulskinny]

My pediatrician suggested using Benadryl - not to put her to sleep bu I guess it's really similar to Dramamine - and it made a big difference.

Oooo Good to know! I was seriously considering it anyways (to help her get to sleep in the car) but I just might go ahead with it if this seems to be a thing.

(I am not really a new age medicine person but when you are desperate....)

Oh honey! I hear that! If you read the begining of the TR that I just completed (in my signature) you'll find that after multiple "events", DD ended up arriving to Disney world in nothing but a diaper and a hooded towel. (good thing she was still young enough for that to be cute!)

Anyway, I think you got some great ideas here. I am going to steal some

Glad my question sparked a conversation that was helpful to someone else!

 

[eyeblaura]

My 8 year old has dealt with car sickness since very little and seems to getting better now but both dramamine and benadryl can be given for kids over 2 to aid with motion sickness. Both can make them drowsy so plan accordingly, not necessarily a bad thing for long car ride though

I used to use puppy pads in the car seats when potty training, not sure how much they would help with sick as it usually gets the lap and belt straps before the seat under them though.

Good luck!

 

[squirrel]

Wow! All we got was an ice cream bucket in the car when we were little. So many more options these days.

 

[englishteacha]

Our daughter gets so carsick. They make little kid chewable dramamine. It is wonderful. It's expensive and hard to find, so whenever I see it I buy some (I've only ever found it at Rite Aid here, but my niece found some at Walgreens in NH). We always give it to our daughter if we're going any distance. A half tablet works for short trips. It makes her sleepy, but I'd rather her be sleepy than pukey!

We got a carseat protector to put over the seat after our 3rd incident.(Messeez cover from Amazon) On long trips, we sometimes even brought a spare carseat! Keep lots of garbage bags and ziplocks to put soiled things in, and always have lots of baby wipes in the car. On one trip, luckily we were near a friend's house, and we stopped there and used their washing machine and bathtub!