Carsick baby

[MaeWest]

DS is 9 months old and has always been a pukey babe, but grew out of most of it by 6 months (and anyway, it was only milk). He doesn't go in the car often, but when he does he is horrifically travel sick. I'm talking Exorcist here. And now he's on solids it's proper sick .

Is there anything I can give him/do about it?

[AnnabelCaramel]

I think you need to try and get him used to it - lots and lots of very short trips and just build up the time. The fact he doesn't go in often perhaps means he's not used to it?

[MaeWest]

Well, I don't have the car during the week (DH needs it for work) so we tend to walk everywhere (better for my fitness too ). I'm sure part of it is not being used to it.

[MaeWest]

Meant to add, but we do have a 3 hr drive to Cornwall coming up soon, and I'm dreading it a bit.

[foxinsocks]

is he forward facing yet? if he isn't and meets the weight criteria, then turn him round.

If he is, make sure he can see out of a window (i.e. he's not too low down).

[AnnabelCaramel]

Eeuw. Not sure...feed him ginger biscuits beforehand? They're good for travel sickness?

[Tigana]

DS puked extravagantly last summer during 10 hour drive through France - got it in the CD player and everything.

No advice though. Just wanted to share

[foxinsocks]

you need to stuff him with carbs before you travel - I don't think you can give a baby under 1 anything but it might be worth asking the doctor/pharmacist just in case.

Try and time the journey with his naps - otherwise, you'll just have to stop often. I have a travel sick child (and I get travel sick myself if I ever have to travel in the back seat, which I don't thank goodness!) and you do get used to it after a while .

Actually, have you tried him forward facing in the front?

[MaeWest]

Thanks for replies. He's not in forward-facing yet, but is a big lad, so we will be getting new carseat soon. I'm hoping that will help, altho may just end up with puke on the back of my seat, bleugh.

foxinsocks - the sickness seems to happen just before he dozes off. I can hear him wittering, and then he coughs up (sounds so innocent). Last time it happened we were on the motorway and stopped at the services to find him fast asleep covered from head to foot in weetabix. I don't think it bothers him much, just makes me heave.

[foxinsocks]

ooh yes, get that new car seat (and make sure it's one where he can see out!). Just the thought of sitting backwards in the car makes me feel all nauseous . At least it doesn't bother him I suppose.

You can get plastic covers for the seats (to go under the car seats) and plastic backed bibs so that the spew doesn't soak through to his clothes.

I really hope the new seat will sort him out. (otherwise, might be worth swinging past the GP, just so they can check out his ears/eyes)

[MissGolightly]

My DS used to be quite pukey in the car but has thankfully grown out of it - and he is now forward facing which may have helped. My strategy was to cover everything with a sheet (ie him, the car seat, the back of the seat) and just whip it off as soon as he puked, before everything soaked in.

I wonder if you can use those travel bands on babies - you know the ones I mean, the terry towelling ones with the little dot? I have some friends with toddlers who swear by them. Worth asking a pharmacist maybe.

[Kelly1978]

dd was the same, it is horrible. She has pretty much grown out of it though, so hopefully your little boy will do the same. The only thing that worked for us was phnergan, but they increased the age recomendation for it, so I think 9 months might be too young. Might be worth a try though.