- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- babies today articles
- babies today q&a
- toddlers today articles
- toddlers today q&a
- breastfeed.com articles
- breastfeed.com q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Travel Ailments in Toddlers
From Car Sickness to Sea Sickness
By Katherine Bontrager
For many, motion sickness is typically seen in boat trips, Walker says. "Pediatricians can occasionally prescribe a medication that can help with dizziness in the most severe cases," she says. "However, it is preferable to use distraction, white noise up loud and general comfort measures such as a pacifier or Mommy or Daddy's hugs to get them through the worst of it."
Dr. Cowan finds that Bonine and Dramamine can't be beaten for motion sickness. "Both are available over the counter and both come in chewable tablets," she says. "Bonine is not advised for children younger than 12, but Dramamine is perfectly safe down to age 2. Both medicines cause considerable drowsiness, which is not a bad thing in a traveling child."
However, Dr. Cowan says that Scopolamine patches behind the ear should never be used in young children, unless specifically approved by a physician. "They have erratic absorption with worrisome side effects," she says. "And I know no of no good data about wristbands (acupressure bands). I believe that these are predicated on 'pressure points,' but I don't know whether they work or work because of a placebo effect. And finally, it is never OK to medicate a child with Benedryl (or wine!) for the convenience of traveling grownups. Benedryl has paradoxical hyperactivity as a side effect in some children, which is a disaster on a plane! A child should never be given a medication unless it is for his/her own direct benefit."