Suggestions for motion (car) sickness & 3yo?

DS is 3yo. He vomits if we are in the car for more than 20-30 minutes unless he is sleeping. But he doesn't always sleep in the car anymore even if it's at naptime (he still naps). We are going to Lancaster soon and are very concerned about the car ride. My cousin (who is a PA and once a ped PA) said she used to give her daughter half a children's Dramamine when she was the same age. I called my ped (who is very conservative) and he said there is nothing I can do. He doesn't condone any motion sickness meds at this age. So now I am unsure about doing that. So I guess I am looking for BTDT with advice or suggestions. So far all we have come up with is leaving home early on an empty stomach and coming home at naptime (hoping he will sleep). Any suggestions?

Message edited 7/25/2013 7:30:58 PM.

Re: Suggestions for motion (car) sickness & 3yo?

My niece and nephew both have big motion sickness problems in the car. My brother and SIL have tried a number of different things and the only thing they have found that has some good effect are the motion sickness bracelets. My SIL said it definitely doesn't cure it, but it makes a noticeable difference.

Re: Suggestions for motion (car) sickness & 3yo?

Re: Suggestions for motion (car) sickness & 3yo?

My 2yo dd gets sick also after about 30 mins in the car and has for about a year now. For longer trips we have given her a half of a children's chewable Dramamine and it had helped. We try not to do it often but she is obviously suffering when we don't she gets pale and really upset. We tried the bracelets they didn't work for us. We also has to turn the car seat early which I'm not sure helped. I would use the Dramamine for a long trip if I were you.

Re: Suggestions for motion (car) sickness & 3yo?

There is definitely children's dramamine. I think it is for 2+. I have had more than one ped in the office suggest it for noth kids for our cruise and for my now 6 yr old but they recommended it back at 2 and 4.

You could speak with the pharmacist about it they should tell you if it is safe. I know mine will say not a good idea at x age or you can use y instead.

Does your ped okay benadryl? I was told it can work similarly but haven't tried it. My ped said I could give it to my DD instead of benedryl when we went to disney this year. I had asked what I could give if my DD needed allergy meds and dramamine. She said to try just giving benadryl instead.

Re: Suggestions for motion (car) sickness & 3yo?

We are having the same issue with our 3 year old. She keeps saying she is going to throw up and she cries. I haven't tried meds because she won't take meds anyway, but sometimes what works is simply opening the window for some fresh air. Or, we stop for a few minutes and let her walk around. I know it's a pain but other than that we just try to leave at a time where she is likely to fall asleep.

Re: Suggestions for motion (car) sickness & 3yo?

We use sea bands since my son threw up all over me on the airplane when we landed! So everytime we drive more then 30 min the bands go on and we haven't had a problem

Re: Suggestions for motion (car) sickness & 3yo?

They make childrens Dramamine now and it is better to use it then to have your child miserable and sick the whole car ride. It leaves the system fast... My cousin used it on her kids and it worked every time.. I would use it... JMO