Two questions re travel sickness and car seats in Spain

[k2togm1]

Two in one post, sorry.

1. Which travel sickness medicine, if any, can I give a 15mo?
2. My sil says I can't use his forward facing seat on the front seat in Spain, is she right? It's a type 2 I think (we are borrowing it there).

Do you know for certain that your toddler is travel sick, or are you just covering yourself in case? I would consult a pharmacist at the chemist for suitable medication, but wouldn't give it unless I knew for sure the child suffered motion sickness, or if the pharmacist approved it to be used prophylactically.

In the U.K. the car seat can be used in the front passenger seat of a car as long as there is no airbag or the airbag has been disabled. I don't know of any Spanish safety laws that make it illegal. It is recommended in any case that the child car seat is secured in the rear where possible, so I would do that. I'm not convinced that sitting in the front seat helps car sickness anyway, if that is why you are asking.

The safety of the seat is only good if it fits in the car properly.

I think he gets car sickness, I still do and hate traveling as a passenger, he is also happier in the front and I am suspecting it is because of this (it's independent of amount of entertainment/ closeness to me).
I'll check at the chemist!

No he can't sit in the front seat. We put my 7 year old in a booster seat in the front seat because of travel sickness, but this wasn't allowed.

I have just found this link:
here

'Children up to the age of 12 are not allowed to sit in the front seat.'

This was told to us by various spanish friends.

If you look on the rospa website, childcarseats.org I think it is, there's a section with laws for other countries. A lot of countries have laws forbidding children riding in the front.

Most travel sickness medicine is from age 3 upwards. We were prescribed some by our GP at 2 and a half but this was for a one off trip and as my daughters sickness is very bad.

k2to DS was almost bound to get car sick as DH and I both were horribly car sick as children - and DH had to modify his driving so that I didn't get car sick (in the front seat) when we got together. DS, however, didn't get car sick until he was 3. it was like flicking a switch from happy, no problems on any length of journey (well, the occasional upset, but nothing on a regular basis) to being guaranteed to happen on every journey above 10mins. I don't know what it was that changed - same seat, same car, same drivers, same routes - perhaps it was just growing up and starting to properly focus on what was outside the car?

Because he didn't start until he was 3, we were advised to try joyrides by the Dr and have been using them ever since. They normally, but not completely, prevent the sickness.

Are you sure its car sickness and not simply having more to look at (eg you) when he sits in the front?

There are a few things that can help, like not having dangly things that swing about hanging from the windows or the rear view mirror. Having frequent breaks, adequate fresh air (take child away from the car when filling with fuel)
not too hot in the car. Make sure that any food they have is light and easily digested. Don't travel immediately after a big meal. Try to travel when you know they will fall asleep.

The things you can't control are watching the sliding motion of scenery as the vehicle goes along, bumpy roads, sometimes the wallowing sensation of turning bends. If you could sit in the back with him, with a potette ready lined and set up on your lap, you might be able to thrust it under his chin if he starts vomiting, and at least reduce the mess. You might be able to drape a towel or something over him like a big bib, and do your best to cover whatever you can of the rest of the car interior. Vomit really stinks and it's difficult to get rid of the smell from car upholstery, worse if it isn't your own car seat and even more so if it isn't your car!!!

Children are not allowed in front seats in Spain.

Nappy sacks make good sick bags. Carry lots of wet wipes. Febreze is useful but you may find (as we have) that later on the smell is unbearable for the sufferer.

Talk to your dr about travel sickness remedies.

Thanks for the sickness advice, good tips! I do remember the smell of sick in the car when I was little, ughh!

So it is clear now that he won't be able to go in the front, we'll have to take it easy on the long journey from the airport to my parents then...

I read that sniffing a cut fresh lemon can help with nausea, at least it will smell nice in the car and stop the rest of you feeling queasy. Also easy to acquire a fresh lemon in Spain.

girlywhirly