Would you turn your 2.5 yo around...

[juliasmom]

if she was getting car sick frequently? My poor DD is getting car sick more and more frequently She tells me almost every car ride that she needs to throw up and today she did throw up all over herself for the third time in a month. She is currently 30ish lbs and 35ish inches and RFing in a Boulevard 70. I am having guilty feelings about either choice... I know that turning her will help her motion sickness (seeing out the windshield certainly helps me) but I am so hesitant to turn her.

[monica-m]

What have you tried so far for the motion sickness?

[juliasmom]

Originally Posted by monica-m What have you tried so far for the motion sickness?

I moved her seat more upright and to the captains chair by the window so she could see out. I also aimed the ceiling air vent on her and full blast (Im probably freezing the baby). I also have a box of gingersnaps that I start feeding her when she complains of nausea. I dont think I am willing to medicate her...

[monica-m]

I would try a few other things before turning. Being able to see out of the side window can be part of the problem. Being only able to see out the back window could help. I would also try real ginger ale and sea bands before turning. A small snack before leaving or while in the car could also help.

[brigala]

I would try other solutions first, partly because turning the child around doesn't usually help. It does help sometimes, but more often it does not - and then you're stuck with a kid who's both forward facing and car sick, so what have you gained?

I would try giving her sips of strong ginger ale before she gets in the car, make sure she is not getting too hot (give her an ice pack to hold if you need to), and try sea bands.

But yes, if nothing else solves the problem, I would try forward facing to see if it works. Frequent vomiting can lead to lifelong medical problems, and forward facing is only a problem in the relatively unlikely event of a serious accident... and even then at age 2.5 the risks are relatively low. Of course I advocate ERF whenever possible, but extenuating circumstances have to be taken into consideration.

[mommy2sammy]

I would turn her. She must be miserable, I get motion sick and it feels horrible. She has met the AAP guidelines and you have done a great job keeping her RF for this long. If it were my kid and it would help them feel better, I would do it. We can only do our best to keep the kiddos safe, healthy, and comfortable.

[MDever]

I would not, but that really sucks. We had a LO that would get car sick and it can be rough. I haven't found that seating direction had any effect. She was rearfacing in the car, FF in a motorhome, and side facing on a train. All pukey. It is a misery though

[carleyann'smommy]

I agree to the above! You have done great doing it this long! There is no right answer and every situation is different!! Your mom gut is usually right. If you turn her and it makes no change you can always turn her back!

[Earthy Momma]

no i wouldnt my dd too gets car sick and it didnt matter wen she was either way. something that helped (b4 wen she drank milk) was not giving her any milk before we went n e wer...
hope u find a solution!

[happysmileylady]

But yes, if nothing else solves the problem, I would try forward facing to see if it works. Frequent vomiting can lead to lifelong medical problems, and forward facing is only a problem in the relatively unlikely event of a serious accident... and even then at age 2.5 the risks are relatively low.

I agree with this. I mean, she's actually thrown up three times in just one month. You haven't been in a serious accident with her in the entire 2.5 yrs you have been driving with her. You will have to do a risk assessment here, pitting the risks of puking again and again against the statistics of serious crashes and forward facing in your particular car.