Managing Your Child’s Motion Sickness

Nothing spoils a road trip faster than a little voice from the back seat of the car saying, “Mommy, I don’t feel good.” Unfortunately, motion sickness is a fairly common problem for children, and you’re likely to run into it from time to time.

What Causes Motion Sickness?

Motion sickness occurs when the brain gets mixed messages from the eyes and from the inner ear as to whether the body is moving or not. Motion sickness is a common problem of the immature nervous system. Most kids grow out of it as they get older.

What are the Symptoms of Motion Sickness?

The most common symptoms of motion sickness are nausea and vomiting, though your child may also suffer from sweating, dizziness, headache, and increased saliva in the mouth. The symptoms start soon after the trip begins and usually disappear almost as soon as the car stops.

What Can You Do About It?

If your child suffers from motion sickness, there are several techniques you can try.

First, encourage your child to look out the window. Many kids try to pass the time on the road by playing video games, watching a movie, or reading a book. Unfortunately, this creates conflict between the eyes and the inner ear and increases motion sickness. So, urge your child to look at the passing scenery. If your child is too young to understand why this will help her feel better, make a game of it. Ask her to count all the red cars on the road, or to watch for horses in the fields.

Open the window or turn the air conditioner on your child’s face. Some cool air against the face can ease symptoms considerably.  A cool, moist washcloth or towelette often has the same effect.

Offer a light snack. The key word, of course, is “light.” Don’t stuff your child full of greasy food, but do offer a sip of water or soda or a few plain crackers.

Decrease stress. Children can become anxious when their routine is disrupted, even for something fun like a vacation, and anxiety can make the symptoms of motion sickness worse. Keep your child in the loop by explaining your plans carefully and allowing your child to make choices when possible. (”Are you ready to stop for lunch now, or do you want to keep going for another half hour?”)

Provide frequent breaks. Motion sickness usually disappears as soon as the car stops, so pull over frequently for restroom breaks, light snacks, short walks, etc. Knowing that the next break is coming up soon can help children feel less anxious about long road trips and decrease motion sickness.

Consider medication. There are several over the counter medications available to decrease motion sickness. They are usually very effective, but may have side effects such as a dry mouth or drowsiness. When in doubt, talk to your child’s doctor.

Your family road trip can still be a fun-filled event, even if your child sometimes experiences motion sickness. The simple techniques described in this article can help.