Toddler seasickness

by Karen Walrond (Subscribe to Karen Walrond's posts) Mar 2nd 2006 5:32PM

After all of the craziness of the last few days, today our family decided to go to Trinidad's sister island of Tobago for a little R&R. Because we were going with friends who dive, we decided not to fly to Tobago (for decompression reasons), but instead take the ferry over. Alex was very excited to get on the "big boat."

We got on the boat, and because it was close to Alex's naptime, we gave her a big cup of milk, in the hopes she'd spend most of the 2 hour trip sleeping.

You know what happened next, right?

Poor thing, she was green for most of the trip -- and about 30 minutes outside of Tobago, she yacked all over herself and me. Once we disembarked in Tobago she was fine; however, I felt horrible for her, especially since this was the first time she'd ever thrown up in her life (I know -- uncanny, but true).

I told Marcus that I wanted Alex and I to fly back to Trinidad at the end of our mini-vacation, but my friends maintain that as long as I don't give her anything to eat or drink before we leave, she'll be fine -- she'll be green, but she won't throw up. I don't know, man: green's no fun either, and I hate for her to feel ill.

What would you do? Would you risk taking the ferry back, or would you just eat the $50 ticket price and fly back?

Comments (11)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Adrienne B. 3-02-2006 @ 5:48PM

I would give her a dose of children's Benadryl before taking the boat back. It should keep her from feeling sick. You may be able to find children's Gravol or Dramamine, but Benadryl will provide the same effect.

suburban misfit 3-02-2006 @ 6:46PM

The air ticket is only $50, or was the ferry $50 and then you'd have to pay for the air ticket on top of that?

Not that the money is the important thing, but it's a consideration for me.

I've never been seasick, but I get carsick all the time. Heavy foods make me sick, but I'm okay with fruits and veggies and water. To be safe, maybe don't feed her anything. And maybe this time she *won't* be green.

Dianne 3-02-2006 @ 7:06PM

I say eat the $50 and fly. You know she does that ok and it will make it easier on her and you as well.

Mandie 3-02-2006 @ 8:01PM

Same thing happened to us during a layover in a cute shop at the airport, they had to close for carpet cleaning!! My daughter was 11 mo first time flying quick change of clothes. Turns out the excitment of the vacation and being in crowds wore her down and out. Maybe your Alex needs some r&r after carnival also. Good Luck!!
So sad when a little one is sick..

Summer 3-03-2006 @ 12:26AM

They have these bracelets that pilots use. I don't know the name of them (sorry), but I KNOW they work. It looks like a sweat band with a plastic ball ( the size of a pencil eraser) that you place in a certain spot on the inside of your wrist. IT WORKS. My daughter and I are both pukers and these work for us. Give them a try...for less than $10 it is better than $50 and worth a try.

Matthew Miller 3-03-2006 @ 12:57AM

I'm not a normally sea-going person, but when we went on a whale-watch here in Boston and I got all queasy-stomached, I was totally cured by hot chocolate from the boat's little cafe. You could try that. :)

Dawn 3-03-2006 @ 1:24AM

Try getting some ginger root into her before you take her on a boat again. It is a proven remedy/preventative for motion sickness. No side effects, no icky chemicals (let's face it, Benadryl/diphenhydramine makes you grumpy and sleepy, the two most obnoxious dwarves to have underfoot). It can be found in several different forms, and is generally easy to get into even a small person. Good luck.

vanessa 3-03-2006 @ 8:08AM

I second the ginger root--it works wonders. Ginger cookies will help, even.
And if you really get desperate, bring some Benedryl along with you. Or dramamine.

Brenda 3-03-2006 @ 8:22AM

Ginger works really well, candied ginger would probably be easier to take.

However, what worked for me when I was a kid and carsick (boats never made me sick for some reason) was ICE cold water, sipped constantly.

Also, make sure she can see the boat moving and that should help. So hang out by a window/rail and maybe do the nap beforehand. Motion sickness is caused by the brain receiving conflicting signals, ie. your eyes/body say you aren't moving but your inner ear says you are.

momma2mingbu 3-03-2006 @ 8:40AM

Agree about having her where she can see the water going by and see that she is moving. I used to get motion sickness riding in the car when I was PG. Then I found out that if you are the one DRIVING you are less likely to get it since you are watching the road. Watching the scenery go by might help her.

Jenny 3-03-2006 @ 9:19AM

I get motion sick a lot, as does pretty much everyone in my family. While Benadryl and Dramamine are both antihistamines, not all antihistamines are created equal. The one we prefer is Bonine (generic name of Meclizine, Buclizine, or Cyclizine, depending on where you are). It comes in a chewable, but you would have to consult a doctor for the right dose for a child. It doesn't have the sedative effects of Benadryl or Dramamine.

If you can't (or don't want to) get anything, I absolutely agree that you need to keep her where she can see the horizon. On deck, if possible. The lower she is in a ferry the more uncomfortable she will be; I speak from experience.

You can also look for some "pressure point" devices to help with motion sickness. They are basically a velcro strap with a button to that presses on the wrist. They come in child sizes and are sold in drugstores.

I've found ginger helps a little, but not much. I'd say it helps me keep from actually throwing up, but I still feel pretty sick.

If she is very prone to motion sickness, a short hop flight might actually not be much better for her.

Good luck!

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