My son, almost 2 1/2, has begun to get carsick on long trips. Tonight, we were almost home, when he started gagging. Luckily, we were able to stop the car and get him out of his carseat in time. (o.k. I know our carseat guru will not what I'm about to say ...) It's times like this that I hate carseats!

Do any of you have any tricks or things you've done to help prevent carsickness? Anything you've tried to make a little one more comfortable after s/he's lost his lunch?

I'd really appreciate any advice. This is a whole new thing for me.
Thanks,
Ame

By Colette on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 07:40 pm:

Keep a window open a crack..sitting in the front helps, but it's not the safest thing, esp. w/airbags. Not looking at books or side windows, making frequent stops, keep an extra change of clothing in the car and wipes.

By Tink on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 09:21 pm:

This sounds crazy but it always works for my kids...and me (I never outgrew it). Crack the window and then have him put the tips of his fingers outside. I don't know if there is a medical reason this works or if it just takes your mind off of your stomach. Gingersnaps in the glovebox might help too. We keep a margarine tub w/lid in the back seat so that if we don't get out of the car in time, we can put the lid on it before anyone else gets sick.

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 10:17 pm:

Car seat guru?? WHO would that be?! LOL! I hear ya, Ame. Both my kids have vomitted in their car seats more than once. NOT fun, but kids puke. That's a fact of life. You were fortunate (this time!) to get your son out before he hurled. Yes, it's a PITB but car seat covers and harnesses are washable. (By hand with warm, soapy water, air dry - follow directions)

I suffer from motion sickness myself, and so do both kids once in awhile. In fact, DS and I both got sick on the bus during a field trip last week. Thank goodness the bus had a bathroom! DS lost his cookies. I didn't throw up but was feeling very queasy. I can't remember what the age recommendations are but we use chewable Dramamine tablets for long trips, plane rides, etc.. Ask your doctor. Of course that's not something you want to use on a daily basis. FRESH air works the best for me. Also keeping my eyes looking out the window as opposed to looking around the interior of the car.

I DO NOT recommend putting a child in the front seat to avoid motion sickness. Doing so puts the child's life/health in danger. NOT worth the risk just to prevent motion sickness.

Being prepared is a huge help. Keep large zip lock bags, towels, wipes and perhaps even some Totally Toddler in the car just in case.

By Mommmie on Sunday, May 16, 2004 - 10:33 pm:

The wrist bands are being marketing to kids now. I saw a commercial for them recently. That's what I use.

By Saritabeth on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 07:14 am:

The wrist bands that they sell actually are supposed to sit an accupressure point that is used in Tradition Chinese Medicine to allieviate symptoms of nausea. It is called Pericardium 6 (I believe) and it is located at the inside of your arm (palm facing up)about three of your own finger widths away from the crease of your wrist. Personally, I have found cracking a window with wind blowing on my face works best, but a lot of people really swear by the accupressure points....whatever works!

By Amecmom on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 09:10 am:

Thanks gals. LOL Trina! What do you do with the dirty car seat until you get home? Luckily it didn't happen this time, but I couldn't bring myself to put a just puked, now cleaned up kid back in a carseat that had only been surface cleaned. Do you know if replacement covers and straps are sold? Might be good to invest in a spare.

I think it may not even be legal in NY to put a carseat in the front, so that's not an option.

He's a little too young for sticking finger tips in to a window crack. I don't know that I want to encourage that anyway - you know, give a finger and he'll take the whole hand ...

We do give him a pacifier to suck on in the car (he only gets it for long trips and for bed time) and we talk to him about what's out the window, so we keep his head up. He gets pretzles when he wants them, also. I'll try ginger snaps.

I'll try the motion sickness band, but my guess is he'll just play with it. I'll also ask the doc about drammamine.

Keep the suggestions coming. I'll use anything I can!
Thanks,
Ame

By Trina~moderator on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 10:23 am:

Many car seat manufacturers do sell replacement covers and harnesses. That's an option but I'm not sure you'd want to spend the time it takes to replace all that out on the road somewhere. You'd have to have the manual handy to be sure the harness is routed correctly, etc.. Not an easy task when tending to a sick child and nerves are already frazzled. When my kids have thrown up I've cleaned up the best I could and then headed for home. I wasn't too upset about putting them back into the surface cleaned seat because chances are they will throw up again on the way home! LOL! At that point it would be nice to have a spare cover to use while the soiled one is being washed. That or a spare car seat. When it happens the first time it grosses you out but after awhile it's no big deal. All lumped together with poopy diapers, boogers, vomit, etc.. All typical mommy stuff. Yee ha! LOL!

By Trina~moderator on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 10:33 am:

Ame, if memory serves me correctly, I believe you have a Cosco/Eddie Bauer car seat. Directions for washing covers and how to order parts and accessories here:

CoscoJuvenile.com - FAQ