Car Sick Toddler?

Updated on March 22, 2008
J.L. asks from Fort Worth, TX
5 answers

Hi Moms,
My toddler is 2 1/2. Lately he will tell me that his tummy hurts while we are running errands or driving short distances. In the past 3 weeks we've been on 2 roadtrips and he's complained of tummy hurting and then proceeded to throw up. my husband was severely motion sick as a child and still is as an adult. it makes sense that he's inherited this trait. i spoke with a nurse at my pedi's office. they said to give him benadryl for long trips and a few other options. i'm curious to find out what other mom's have found that worked for their children. and good tricks on cleaning up his car seat, besides taking the whole thing apart to wash it?
thanks for your ideas!
J.

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C.R.

answers from Dallas on

My son is now 4 but has the same problem. For the short trips, I give him 1/4 tab of the children's Dramamine and for longer road trips, I give him 1/2 (which makes him drowsy). He weighs 32 pounds, but I have given it to him when he was less than 30 pounds and he does fine.

As for the carseat - I use old towels and cut holes in them to fit around the lap latch and keep several in the car. If he throws up while you are in route - it's a quick fix.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from Amarillo on

Is he looking at books while riding in the car? Not that this causes car sickness, but it can sometimes make it worse. I would even maybe give him a saltine cracker before getting in the car--just to give his tummy something to overcome the motion. Just a thought! Good Luck!! :) C.

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C.P.

answers from Dallas on

Hello J.,

Please get to the bottom of it and figure out why that's happening. giving him benadryl or dramamine all the time would not be the way to go. He'll be drowsy and moody. what about when he starts going to school? wouldn't it affect his learning? have they checked his inner ear? does he suffer from ear infections? Did you have morning sickness when you were pregnant? if so... that's how he feels. ~C.~

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K.V.

answers from San Francisco on

I have always gotten carsick if in the backseat. When I was a kid my mom would give me a lemon slice to nibble on and the acid neutralized my stomach and really helped, although I'm sure it's not great for your teeth. These days if I have to be in the backseat I'll bring along a bottle of water that I added lemon juice to. I've never tried lemonade but it seems like that would work too. Maybe a sippy of it would help for car rides. Good luck!

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M.B.

answers from Dallas on

You need to have his eyes checked and make sure that he is ok there. I know when I was a child that was always a sign that it was time to go and have my prescription checked. In the meantime try covering the side windows with towels or something so that in order for him to look out the window he has to look out the front window and sees things straight on verses passing sideways. Before they found out I needed glasses the only way I could go on trips and not be sick was to sit in the front seat, the eye doctor said that the motion of the objects outside the car from the side windows was the usual cause of motion sickness and looking at things straight on made it happen less. I hope this helps, I remember well how your baby feels! Give him a big hug from a former fellow travel sufferer!

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