Carsick Infant?? Dread Driving Anywhere.....

Have you tried something to distract him while in the car seat. There are toys, music,movie's someone sitting next to him even a small fan to blow air at his face. These all will work with motion sickness, and they may be help for you.

Hi,

I have a 3 year old and a 6 month old. They BOTH Hate/d their infant rear facing car seat. I started out w/ the one that was given to me at my shower (a Graco Snug Ride), decided it must be that it was just not comfortable so I researched and bought the Britax infant seat. No Dice, so then I bought the Chicco infant seat...still no dice! My first son had ear infections all the time too, and the car rides never got any better until he was big/old enough to turn forward facing! (Britax Marathon... AWSOME) Kade, the baby does better if I put a hands-free bottle (can find them at babies r us) beside him and let him drink while I drive. I put a mirror back there too and that helps him. Also, I just moved him from the infant seat to the Marathon rear facing and just being up higher seems to have helped. Although there are still many times when he just cries and cries, I just roll down his window and lay my ears back and drive! (no criticisms please...you do what you gotta do!)

Good Luck, and hang in there!

I have a 10 month old. Unfortunately, she has never been the type of baby who fell asleep in the car and we do a lot of traveling to Louisiana. I believe she does not like the car. My daughter has had ear infections and she did not act any differently in the car.

While in the car, she watches baby einstein on her dvd player. I purchased it from Target for $99.

When she was younger, I use to hang toys and a mirror from the bar on her carseat. This way when she was tired of the dvd she could play with these.

My daughter has her feeding times but while in the car on a trip that all goes. Also, I always brought an extra bottle or two just in case she got really upset.

The fact that he's 5 months old and has had 4 ear infections may mean he's had fluid in his ears the majority of his life causing dizziness in the car. Or, maybe the muffled sound, paired with the hum of the tires on the road, irritate him. My son had chronic ear infections but never had tubes. He ended up with Sensory Processing Disorder as a previous poster mentioned. He had problems with balance and sensitive hearing. It caused all kinds of behavioral problems. He's still in therapy but it's made a WORLD of a difference. Anyway, I am not suggesting that your son is destined to a life with SPD! Don't let me worry you. I just want you to know about this possibility. I wish I had of known about it before my son was 3!! I had never heard of SPD in my life (most people haven't but turns out, it's very common these days). Anyway, what I am getting at is take him to a pediatric ENT. We see Dr. John Nowlin at Austin Pediatric ENT (near 35th). He's wonderful!!! ...and so is his nurse, Jenn Tiller. Our daughter had an ear infection at 2 weeks of age (hospitalized for it). Again at 5 weeks and again at 8 weeks. That's when they put in tubes. From what I know about tubes and ear infections, 4 in 5 months is TOO many. I would be willing to bet he's a candidate for tubes. This might change everything for you (and him). It was the best thing we did for our daughter!!!! No more stress and no more constant antibiotics. Good luck.

I am so sorry to about your babies problems. He can't feel very good.

I thoroughly believe that babies cry because there is something wrong. Even if it is just insecurity it is still wrong to them. I think your comment about the ear infections is probably right on target. He is too young for that many ear infections. If he is nursing then good but if he is on formula then try to switch to a different brand or try goat's milk. He most likely has a food allergy that is causing the ear infections. It would be good to get him tested for allergies but I don't know how early the Pedi would do it. I would take him to a Chiropractor who has experience with babies. Mine got adjusted anytime they got sick. We only had 1 ear infection with each of them. The neck adjustments help keep the inner ear clear and draining even when there is something else irritating the situation.

My sisters son, 20 years ago, had chronic ear infections. They always gave him antibiotics. They never tested him for allergies. His hearing was bad. They put about 15 -20 sets of tubes in his ears by the time he was 8. His hearing would improve drastically with the tubes and he felt better. But, when he was 10 they found a soft cell tissue tumor(benign) in his brain extending from his sinuses and inner ear area about the size of an adult thumb. The oncologist was furious. He tested him for allergies. He said that this particular tumor is always a result of recurrent ear infections and sinus reactive allergies that aren't dealt with properly. He was allergic to cheese and yeast. His only allergic reaction was the ear infections. No sick stomach or skin rashes or anything else. He would eat sandwiches everyday after school with cheese. This is only because no Pedi ever tested him for allergies. They were making more money off of the ear tubes. I know that sounds jaded but the situation left us all without any other conclusion. My nephew had to have surgery through his skull. One of the 3 ear bones on one side had to be removed because it was cancerous.

I would get an allergy test and some adjustments.

God Bless

Hi R.!

I am so sorry- i dont have any advice for the car ride. I have some advice for the ear infections. Whenever you give him a bottle prop him up, dont let him drink is bottle laying flat (this is a major one), and hopefully your home is smoke free, smoke causes it as well. I hope the propping him up works!!

Wow, only 5 months old! My son started getting car sick at age 1. If we drove longer than 15 minutes he would start vomiting in the car. He's 5 now and does better, but I can't go out of town without give him children's dramamine. If he isn't vomiting, but just screaming, I'm not sure if he is getting car sick. Maybe he is just scared? Have you rode in the back next to him, so he knows he is not alone? and it very well could be the ear infections. Maybe his ears are popping while your driving. Good luck, I know how tramatic this must be for you and him. Many Blessings.

I am sorry to hear about your son. It could have something to do with the ear infections, but there could be something else going on. My husband is a chiropractor specializing in families and children and we have heard about something like this before. There could be an interference in his nervous system that is causing him pain or discomfort while the car is moving. Also it is not normal to have so many ear infections at such a young age. Chiropractic adjustments can definitely help with those as well and boost his immune system. If you would like more information you can check our website at familyfocuschiropractic.com or just respond back to me and I would be glad to help.

Hi R.,,
I have a few things that might help you .1 is yes it might be his ears talk with his DR. 2maybe have his eyes checked that will couse the motion sickness.
good luck
L.

You've the gist from the other responses regarding ear problems being linked to car sickness. Just want to add that I've gotten carsick my entire life - Riding backwards to this day at 35 makes me sick. Check into ear tubes for your little guy - he's on a bad path to ear problems and they are miracles based on our experience with our son. Also ask the doctor about a baby-safe form of dramamine to help you on a 4 hour drive for the holidays. I took it for years as a kid when we were going somewhere. Oh - when I eat before getting into the car I alway feel better than riding on an empty stomach. Maybe try going places right after feeding time.

Good luck,
Sandra

My oldest did that. Does he mind the swing? She also hated the swing. She had vestibular sensory problems as well as auditory-loud sounds made her upset.

Definitely talk to his dr and the ears might be the problem. But you should also talk to ECI to see if their Occupational Therapist can do sensory testing on an infant. I had NO IDEA that my daughter wasn't processing sensory information correctly. I just thought she was awful. She cried while we were in the car (we finally left our church because we couldn't stand the 40 minutes drive with her screaming) as well as in some stores like Walmart. I had no idea that she was way overstimlated. When she got older, though, she started showing other signs and the OT said she has sensory integration dysfunction.

Good news is that SID is easily treated. There's all kinds of sensory activities you can do to help regulate the system (and books out there about it.) I just wish I had known sooner- she was in ECI for a year for her behavior symptoms before I learned of SID and asked them to test her sensory system.

Anyway, if he does have SID for every child it's different. Some are hypersensitive (meaning they can't handle movement, loud sounds, bright lights, touching or eating certain textures ect) and some are hyposensitive (meaning they crave sensory stimulation.) Some, like my daughter, are both hyer and hypo sensitive! Those are harder to diagnose and treat sometimes but deffinitely doable.

I highly recommend The Out of Sync Child. It explains that everyone needs a sensory diet, especially babies and young children as their brains are still developing new neuorons constantly.

I hope you find out what's wrong and how to help!

S., mom to 5

It definately may be his ears, but other things we have found to do that help are: entice them with snacks/bottle, try playing his favorite music, roll the windows down when going at low speeds (my son loves this), or even get a portable DVD player and play Baby Einstein to distract him while you're driving. So I understand that some of this seems a bit much (in terms of spoilong him), but there is not a lesson to be learned from having your little guy scream in the car while you drive. The best thing you can do it make it as bearable for all as possible. Good luck and give the Thanksgiving drive a whirl.

My son hated his infant car seat and cried the entire time he was in it for many months. At around 1 year I put him in a front facing and he liked that a bit more but still cried most of the time. I thought it was because he was rarely in a car (we lived in NYC till he was almost 2-1/2 and didnt have a car) but now I have a 9 month old who has been in a car seat regularly since 4 months and still screams. It has definently gotten better.....now it only happens when she is over tired but sh will not sleep in her car seat most of the time. I avoid taking her out a ton but of course with a 2-1/2 year old I do go out at least once every day.

I dont believe in my case that it is anything other than that they didnt and in her case she doesnt like being strapped in and it is difficult to see out etc. I cant blame them....it is nicer to be held or to be able to crawl around.

All I can say is that my son grew out of it and I am sure my daughter will too.

Good luck!

We had something similar from the time my son was about 6 months to around a year. He didn't cry every time, but he cried a lot of the time. It was rough but he just grew out of it. We tried a lot of different things, sometimes music helped but not all the time. Anyway, he finally just got over it. He is 16 months and I just took him in the car all the way to Las Vegas and he did just great, so if nothing helps, time should solve the problem eventually so hang in there!! :)

While I can't add anything helpful about the ear infections except a question. Does he start puking in the car? I can get pretty car sick and I know that if I was worked up and crying I would be puking if that was the reason. I can say that maybe your son is getting bored. My daughter, if not entertained by something or asleep will raise the roof in the car when she gets bored. She's 6 months old. She's always good for a little while, but the longer the ride the worse it gets if she doesn't have something to distract her. How is your son when there is someone else in the back seat with him? We always have toys and a mirror for her to look into. The worst times are at night. We can almost guarantee when we back out of the drive that she's going to loose it if it's dark out side. It's dark in the car and she can't see anything and that's instant boredom. One thing that works for us, sometimes, when she's starts getting worked up is turning the music up. Not to blasting ear drum level but so it gets her attention over the screaming. Every once in awhile that will work as long as we don't wait till she's "beyond lost it" level.

Just please remember to be patient. He's crying for a reason wether it's his ears or boredom. The more frustrated you get with him the more he'll pick up on this and get more upset. And make sure you pay extra special attention to the road when he's screaming. We all know how distracting and cage rattling a screaming baby can be in a car. Be safe and keep your eyes on the road. Maybe turn the radio up for yourself too. Don't feel guilty about trying to tune him out if your doing it to be safer.

Good luck,
Jen
http://www.mommysjoy.com

I'm not sure what is wrong with your little one,but my daughter did the same thing. I know that a simple trip to the store can wear you out just from listening to all the crying. The only difference between my kid and yours is she didn't wait 20 minutes to start crying!! She is just now getting better and she is almost 14 months.

Hi R.,
My DS was diagnosed as profoundly deaf when he was 10 mo old. He could only hear thunder. He mostly lay on his tummy and dragged himself on the floor but did not crawl on all fours. He was really strong, but wouldn't stand unless he was supported with both hands on the coffee table for instance. He slid his feet rather than picking them up and stepping. He never babbled or made sounds. When we learned that he was deaf due to numerous ear infections, they put tubes in his ears. This was 28 yrs ago, when that was a new procedure. At his 2 wk post op visit, he was running, not walking and had a 22 word vocabulary. His equilibrium had been so bad which was why he never tried to walk. He never made sounds because he didn't hear them.

It is possible that your DS is motion sick. Until you determine if that is so, try this: Cut a thin slice of fresh raw gingerroot, unpeeled. Use paper tape, like for bandages, to tape it to either his belly button or the sole of his bare foot. Ginger settles motion sickness for all ages. The belly button is the fastest route to the stomach. Or the tender skin of the soles of his feet. The ginger will be absorbed through the skin in just a few mins and should quiet his motion sickness if that is what the problem is. Though the ginger smells strong, it will not burn his tender skin. In an older child a couple ginger snap cookies or ginger ale will accomplish the same thing. For someone who can swallow capsules, 2-3 caps will stop motion sickness in about 15 mins. (I can ride an amusement park ride if I take ginger beforehand. In a few hrs, if my head starts swimming, I take some more. I used to vomit when I started riding in the car even for just a short ride, but not anymore.)

As to what is causing his ear infections, my DD was allergic to the corn syrup solids in her formula. When I switched her to Isomil Sugar Free (no artificial sweetners, no corn syrup) the ear infections stopped.

I know too well how a sick child makes a mommy feel helpless. HTH. C.