SeaSick Kids? How can we plan ahead?

[Emsabems]

I haven't seen many posts about passengers dealing with seasickness. I'm curious if there are steps I can take to prevent my two little ones (3 & 5 yrs) from getting seasick.

Should we visit the pediatrician for a prescription before we go? Purchase wrist or behind the ear products?

I know my DH will be seasick, but I'm trying to anticipate for the kids!



Thanks in Advance - we sail in 33 days!
EmsaBems

 

[diane648]

We spoke to our Pediatrician about this before our cruise (our kids were 3 & 5) & he said that kids rarely get seasick -- they're much more able to handle the movement of the ship than we are. It makes sense -- I used to love all kinds of amusement rides, but now I just can't stomach some of them (literally). Anyway, he said in the unlikely case that they did have an issue we could give them Children's Benadryl. We took the Benadryl, but never needed it.

DH & I did a Hawaiian Islands / Fanning Island cruise for our Honeymoon & were both sick. DH has equilibrium issues & he was totally fine on a 4-night Wonder cruise. We (adults) did take meclazine each night starting 2 nights before our cruise, but honestly, I think we would've been fine without it.

Happy sailing!

 

[3Mickeys]

Our daughter who is now 8 has been getting carsick since she was about 3 or 4. This will be our first cruise so I am a little nervous about how she will be on the ship. We have had success with Dramamine but it zonks her out. I'm not paying a ton of money for her to sleep on the ship! We have also done ginger ale and ginger lolipops (from a holistic pharmacy) which works sometimes, not others. We finally got child sized seabandz which are the bracelets. They have not worked 100% of the time, but I think it's a good process for her... "I won't get sick because I'm putting my bracelets on..." Fresh air, walking and limiting meal size all help too.

I will be packing chewable dramamine, bonine (need to do more research on this, but hear it's better than dramamine) and the bracelets. May even get adult size ones too. Good luck!

 

[Grandma4ever]

Children do not have as many issues as us adults. The ships are larghe enough that the movement is not often felt however the first night will be just a little worse than the rest for some reason.

If you are really concerned I would talk to her doctor and see what he/she feels is best. I know they make patches for adults but not sure if they have them for kids. The movement on a ship is a little different than a car so it is possible that she maynot have any problems. I hope all goes well and you enjoy the cruise.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

I'll second the idea to talk to your pediatrition, and also confirm that they will likely suggest you take along some Children's Benadryl if you think there might be a problem.

 

[stichy]

We've taken my son on a ton of cruises. He only got sick one. It was on a cruise to mexico and we were crossing the gulf of mexico which is really rough water. Puked in the buffet. I've never seen old people scatter so quickly.

 

[willturner]

Our Dr. is prescribing Ondansetron for us to bring just in case. It is great because it doesn't cause drowsiness. I won't give it to the kids unless they actually get sick though - like someone else said, kids can handle the movement better than adults. I on the other hand will be trying out a myriad of different meds before we go because I KNOW I get sick .

 

[P.Leilani]

Glad you asked that, I was wondering the same thing about my DD3. I just got back from CVS and bought us both the sea bands, just in case.

But this is the same little girls who loves to spin herself silly on the tire swing with no problems... she should be ok I guess

 

[dragonfly08]

I bought some children's Bonine for my kids, just in case (I prefer Bonine to Dramamine, and will be starting my own pills at least 24 hours prior to the cruise to stay ahead of any issues!).

 

[Silverfox97]

I have a DD 3 1/2 who sometimes gets car sick. I bought some kids Sea Bands along on our 5 night cruise last week just in case. Well, guess what? NO PROBLEMS. Didn't even break those puppies out of the package.

Me, on the other hand, that first night, I started to feel a little sea sick, but I went to bed/sleep. Woke up in the AM fine.

I definitely wouldn't pre-medicate them in anticipation. Bring whatever you think you may need just in case, but don't give them meds they may not necessarily need.

 

[Emsabems]

I definitely wouldn't pre-medicate them in anticipation. Bring whatever you think you may need just in case, but don't give them meds they may not necessarily need.

I read a story about a mom who gave her child Benadryl to keep them calm and quiet on an airplane - little did she know that some children react to this medication by becoming SUPER hyper - proof that karma exists!

Thanks to all for the advice - I'm going to pack a couple options and hope I don't need to use ANY of them!

EmsaBems

 

[lisamarch]

I asked our pediatrician last week. She said to use Bromine (sp?) - she won't prescribe anything.

 

[Susie22]

Does anyone know if babies get sea sick? I will have an 8 month old on my cruise. Is there anything I can give to her?

 

[BealsRwe]

Our DD has been cruising since she was 5 months old, and thankfully, has never had an issue. I use the scapalomine patch for me. DH doesn't use anything generally. I woould talk to your kid's dr. as well. Ours said children rarely have issues at sea, unless they have issues on land, however, they told me Children's Dramamine if needed.

 

[BealsRwe]

Does anyone know if babies get sea sick? I will have an 8 month old on my cruise. Is there anything I can give to her?

We took our DD at 5 months, no issues. With a child that young, I don't think a pediatrician would suggest anythiing, but it's worth talking with your child's dr.