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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Putting 2yo in front seat of car???

240 replies

dontcomeatme · 06/09/2025 23:00

I've discussed this multiple times on MN but we're at the end of our tether right now.
My 2yo DS is severely travel sick. Has been pretty much since he was born, we could never drive for more than 40mins to an hour at max and he would projectile vomit. We had to forward face him at 2yo which we desperately didn't want to do but he was choking on his sick rear facing and being in the laid back position.
We're now at the point where even a 20-25 minute journey is making him sick. We are washing the car seat that often we have bought a spare to use while one is in the wash, and as soon as one is clean the other is dirty 😭 I sit in the back with him primed with sick bags but it makes him hysterical just to look at them so I feel like I'm making him worse!
We've been to the GP multiple times now but they just say its one of those things 🙄 I'm ringing on Monday and I want an emergency appointment with a different GP, this level of sickness isn't normal. It is projectile! Comes out of his mouth, nose, absolutely covers him. He goes grey and feels like sh*t for the rest of the day 😢
Do they prescribe anti sickness meds for kids or do we have to buy them? Most of the ones I've seen online are for 4yo plus and I'm hesitant to give him them.
I am seriously contemplating putting him in the front of the car, with the airbags off. Is that insane? AIBU to think this is the solution?!?! He's 28months, 99centile height and weight. We seriously don't know what else to do!
We've started walking and getting the bus everywhere just to prevent the sickness but this isn't sustainable, we missed a hospital appointment last week because the bus didn't come on time 🤦🏻‍♀️
Any suggestions at all? What worked for your DC? Can the doctors actually do anything ? Do you think front seat would help? It always helped me as a child but this was the 90s, my parents shoved me up the front without even a booster seat.
Any advice is appreciated 🙏

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
mynameiscalypso · 06/09/2025 23:19

I have/had one of those (he’s 6 now). He would, and still does, regularly get sick even when he’s the car for less than 10 minutes. When he was younger, we really did just not go on car journeys. He probably went in a car 3 or 4 times a year, max and we tried to only drive at night or when he’d nap. Now he’s older, he still gets sick but it’s better controlled with medication. He also has a booster seat in the middle of the back of the car and we keep it as cold as possible. I don’t think GPs can do very much. We never bothered with one but his aunt is a GP and didn’t have any advice.

intoFolklore · 06/09/2025 23:24

If you're going to put him in the front seat, turn him back rear facing in a Swedish Plus Tested 36kg seat. You'd actually be able to see him better that way too. If FF him in the back hasn't fixed the car sickness I would be inclined to say it isn't a problem caused by the direction of the seat. I would try RF in the front first.

Failing that, I'd say avoid the car unless absolutely necessary and use public transport or walk instead :)

Janeysunshibe · 06/09/2025 23:25

I reckon you should put him up front you have to think what is the practicality.
once can turn off the airbag.

pistachioandnuts · 06/09/2025 23:26

Front seat and airbag deactivated.

BertieBotts · 06/09/2025 23:28

It's not insane at all, but turn off the airbag, push the seat as far back as it will go and really double/triple check the installation of the seat. If you need a new seat because you only have seatbelt and no isofix in the front, go for Britax King Pro.

Presumably he needs to be FF because RF exacerbates the sickness otherwise there would be no reason to put him in the front.

RightOnTheEdge · 06/09/2025 23:29

Oh poor kid. I have had travel sickness all my life and it's really awful.
Everyone said I would grow out of it but I'm 48 now and it never happened.
I do feel much better in the front seat, so I think you should try it OP.

curious79 · 06/09/2025 23:29

I used to get violently travel sick but usually only in cars with fabric seats. I don’t know why but leather seats, particularly old leather seats, were much much better

Mmr224 · 06/09/2025 23:30

Have you tried piriton liquid? My daughter has it on prescription for her skin condition which causes itching but it also work for travel sickness. 2.5ml 30 mins before travel. Run the AC in the car cold too, and or leave the window open a crack for a breeze. We also used puppy pads or bed pads on the seat to absorb sick. And if it works you may be able to go back to rear facing.

https://lloydspharmacy.com/products/piriton-hayfever-allergy-relief-syrup-for-children-150ml?srsltid=AfmBOoq6PY7pf5jOpYXskL4WdMogXYUZpG9DWGdkBC9h6MhtaOaMDPyK

Edited to add her hospital contract suggested this, as did her GP. It definitely works for her, we went from 8 changes of clothes on a long journey to none. But do need to get out a couple of times for fresh air. We're doing 5-7 hour journeys though.

Piriton Hayfever & Allergy Relief Syrup for Children 150ml

Piriton Hayfever & Allergy Relief Syrup for Children 150ml

Buy Piriton Hayfever & Allergy Relief Syrup for Children 15ml online at LloydsPharmacy. Enjoy free delivery and shop securely with our trusted online pharmacy service.

https://lloydspharmacy.com/products/piriton-hayfever-allergy-relief-syrup-for-children-150ml?srsltid=AfmBOoq6PY7pf5jOpYXskL4WdMogXYUZpG9DWGdkBC9h6MhtaOaMDPyK

Reportingfromwherever · 06/09/2025 23:34

Can you put him on the middle seat in the back so that he can look forward and see where he’s going? Kids really should be in the back, it’s much, much safer.

Makingpeace · 06/09/2025 23:34

My DC get sick in cars that have a higher suspension but not in lower cars.

OneSharpFinch · 06/09/2025 23:39

I wonder, if my ds has milk before a long car journey - well anything over 20 minutes he will throw up.

MrsKateColumbo · 06/09/2025 23:44

I swear by the acupressure bands. I went through a period of being sick in every vehicle and the bands were brilliant. They are small so should work for a child.

jannier · 06/09/2025 23:54

pistachioandnuts · 06/09/2025 23:26

Front seat and airbag deactivated.

Only if still rear facing and with seat as far back as possible. If forward facing airbag is on seat as far back.

Original poster
dontcomeatme · 07/09/2025 00:14

intoFolklore · 06/09/2025 23:24

If you're going to put him in the front seat, turn him back rear facing in a Swedish Plus Tested 36kg seat. You'd actually be able to see him better that way too. If FF him in the back hasn't fixed the car sickness I would be inclined to say it isn't a problem caused by the direction of the seat. I would try RF in the front first.

Failing that, I'd say avoid the car unless absolutely necessary and use public transport or walk instead :)

In the UK its illegal to RF in the front seat. That's why I'm so torn.

OP posts:
DeliciouslyBaked · 07/09/2025 00:15

dontcomeatme · 07/09/2025 00:14

In the UK its illegal to RF in the front seat. That's why I'm so torn.

Show quote history

It is not illegal to RF in the front seat in the UK. Who told you this? It absolutely is not true.

Original poster
dontcomeatme · 07/09/2025 00:21

DeliciouslyBaked · 07/09/2025 00:15

It is not illegal to RF in the front seat in the UK. Who told you this? It absolutely is not true.

Edited
Show quote history

Ah it says "if the airbag is active it is illegal". I will check in the morning if our airbag can be deactivated it should be 🤞
It states on this site if you have to put a child in the front seat it's safer FF. Plus the only reason I would be placing him front seat is so he can see where he's going to try and prevent the sickness, absolutely pointless if he's RF again x

Putting 2yo in front seat of car???
OP posts:
Original poster
dontcomeatme · 07/09/2025 00:23

MrsKateColumbo · 06/09/2025 23:44

I swear by the acupressure bands. I went through a period of being sick in every vehicle and the bands were brilliant. They are small so should work for a child.

The GP recommended those but they have zero effect. Someone mentioned kids kwells to me or dramamine but I'm anxious to try. Going to order something now i think

OP posts:
Dartmoorcheffy · 07/09/2025 00:24

Is it the rear facing movement that is making the sickness worse? How is he if forward facing?

Tillow4ever · 07/09/2025 00:24

dontcomeatme · 07/09/2025 00:14

In the UK its illegal to RF in the front seat. That's why I'm so torn.

Show quote history

That’s definitely incorrect. You can rear face but only if the airbags are turned off. However I do not think rear facing in the front will help him - he needs to be able to see out of the windscreen. Travel sickness is caused by mixed signals - what he is seeing isn’t matching with the speed/motion he’s feeling which results in sickness. It’s why they say don’t read in a car or look out of the side windows. Front window is the best way to stop the mixed signals.

My middle son has always had awful travel sickness. We found kids Kwells the best medication. We used the accupressure travel bands when little, but the last couple of years we use motion sickness patches - you stick one behind the ear and one above the naval and they work amazingly well!

I doubt a GP can or will do anything, and you don’t need an emergency appointment with all due respect - how on earth is this an emergency? You’d be better going and speaking to a pharmacist.

I also find that making sure they have something to eat before travelling helps more than an empty stomach.

Original poster
dontcomeatme · 07/09/2025 00:25

OneSharpFinch · 06/09/2025 23:39

I wonder, if my ds has milk before a long car journey - well anything over 20 minutes he will throw up.

My DS doesn't have milk anymore, other than cereal or a glass for bed. We've tried and tested no food before, it does reduce the amount of vomit but he just ends up dry heaving or vomiting bile 😢

OP posts:
Original poster
dontcomeatme · 07/09/2025 00:25

Reportingfromwherever · 06/09/2025 23:34

Can you put him on the middle seat in the back so that he can look forward and see where he’s going? Kids really should be in the back, it’s much, much safer.

That's where he is now it doesn't seem to be helping x

OP posts:
Sugarnspicenallthingsnaice · 07/09/2025 00:26

There are a lot of travel sickness remedies that aren't pharmaceuticals. His might be too severe for this, but worth a try?

Green apples
Ginger - crystalline or in tablet form
Essential oils on pulse points (called Motion Eze or something like that? It's largely peppermint based).
Acupressure wrist bands.

Original poster
dontcomeatme · 07/09/2025 00:26

Mmr224 · 06/09/2025 23:30

Have you tried piriton liquid? My daughter has it on prescription for her skin condition which causes itching but it also work for travel sickness. 2.5ml 30 mins before travel. Run the AC in the car cold too, and or leave the window open a crack for a breeze. We also used puppy pads or bed pads on the seat to absorb sick. And if it works you may be able to go back to rear facing.

https://lloydspharmacy.com/products/piriton-hayfever-allergy-relief-syrup-for-children-150ml?srsltid=AfmBOoq6PY7pf5jOpYXskL4WdMogXYUZpG9DWGdkBC9h6MhtaOaMDPyK

Edited to add her hospital contract suggested this, as did her GP. It definitely works for her, we went from 8 changes of clothes on a long journey to none. But do need to get out a couple of times for fresh air. We're doing 5-7 hour journeys though.

Edited

I never thought of this! I have piriton in the cupboard will definitely try this! Thank you x

OP posts:
Original poster
dontcomeatme · 07/09/2025 00:28

Dartmoorcheffy · 07/09/2025 00:24

Is it the rear facing movement that is making the sickness worse? How is he if forward facing?

We had to forward face him a few months ago because he just screamed, sobbed and vomited rear facing

OP posts:
Original poster
dontcomeatme · 07/09/2025 00:31

Tillow4ever · 07/09/2025 00:24

That’s definitely incorrect. You can rear face but only if the airbags are turned off. However I do not think rear facing in the front will help him - he needs to be able to see out of the windscreen. Travel sickness is caused by mixed signals - what he is seeing isn’t matching with the speed/motion he’s feeling which results in sickness. It’s why they say don’t read in a car or look out of the side windows. Front window is the best way to stop the mixed signals.

My middle son has always had awful travel sickness. We found kids Kwells the best medication. We used the accupressure travel bands when little, but the last couple of years we use motion sickness patches - you stick one behind the ear and one above the naval and they work amazingly well!

I doubt a GP can or will do anything, and you don’t need an emergency appointment with all due respect - how on earth is this an emergency? You’d be better going and speaking to a pharmacist.

I also find that making sure they have something to eat before travelling helps more than an empty stomach.

Show quote history

I'm just panicked. He is vomiting daily in the car and we sometimes have no choice. From what I've read online severe travel sickness can be caused by underlying conditions so I was hoping GP would rule those out and maybe point me in the direction of the best medication for his age.

I am going to try FF in the front and see how he gets on x

OP posts: