What is motion sickness and what causes it?
Motion sickness in kids or car sickness is a big deal initially. To tackle this common problem better, you need a management plan before travel. Also know the issue that troubles you and your tiny tot.
Car sickness is an uncomfortable feeling almost all of us have experienced specially during childhood.
A peculiar feeling that leads to a wobbly sensation in the stomach that kids are unlikely to explain in the beginning.
Gradually if this persists every time while traveling they may also resist travelling.
Motion sickness also called car sickness is most common between the age of 2 and 12.
However some adults can also have this problem but they will know how to tackle it.
Why motion Sickness?
Motion sickness in kids is actually a sensory issue.
When all your senses are not in sync because of continuous movement you feel nauseous and dizzy.
For children this happens even more as their senses are still under development.
The brain gets confused easily and cannot map what’s happening.
Ears, eyes, muscles all have a role to play in motion sickness.
Since the body is moving, the reflexes of all vital organs take time to react and sync up.
Eyes see somethings that changes too fast, Ear fluids affected and certain body muscles are affected too.
This may create chaos and havoc in some kids.
Motion sickness is not a major issue or medical condition, but can be a cause of worry and uncomfortable feeling specially when you are planning a trip and all exited.
This one thought of having to deal with your kids motion sickness may dampen the excitement.
Here are a few things that may help.
5 ways you can handle your child's car sickness
1. Medication
If Motion Sickness in kids is a recurring problem, look for appropriate medication.
It is available for kids but the dosage has to be determined by your pediatrician as per the child’s age and body weight. Things are better with medication and you will not panic constantly about this on your way.
2. Food before and during travel
Watch the food before and during travel.
Do not give oily or spicy food to a child on the way or the day travel is scheduled.
Keep them well hydrated but avoid having too much liquid just before.
Avoid milk or milk products if possible.
3. Distraction
It is best to keep the child distracted with music, verbal games or story telling.
That way they do not think about their problem and that actually this helps.
But avoid visual gadgets at all cost if your kid tends to have motion sickness.
iPad, phone in a moving vehicle may make them more dizzy and susceptible to throwing up.
4.Fresh air
Let the kid breathe in some fresh air frequently, allowing some ventilation if possible.
5. Sitting
Try to sit the child in the middle row and not at the back. The ride will be comparatively less bumpy.
A seat with maximum reclining facility will help. The child who may feel nauseated with motion of the vehicle should ideally take a near lying position.
This will make her sensory organs less susceptible to confusion, hence less sick in motion.
5 ways to prepare while traveling with a child having car sickness
If you are worried about traveling with your kid every time because of the motion sickness and the pucking mess, may be you can consider some of the below.
#1. Pack the kids bag separately that you keep with you always not with the usual luggage that’s difficult and time consuming to access.
The bag should have all the essentials you may need in travel for the kid.
Make a checklist before packing this bag and you will be good to go.
Preparation makes any journey easy.
- Medicines
- Extra pair of clothing
- Puke bag for emergency
- A bottle of water which you use only for a puke session
- Tissues
- A big plastic bag to carry dirty clothes
- A small napkin to wet and keep on the kids forehead when nauseated
- Ginger or ginger candies are said to relieve that punish feeling with motion sickness. Carry some of them. You may also try ginger candies.
#2. Try and avoid bumps roads. Do some online research on the road conditions, rest room availability, restaurants availability, weather expected etc.
This will allow you to plan your travel better and you will know where you can take stopovers or simply take a break in case the child feels uncomfortable.
Also this research will tell you if you need to take an alternate route to avoid a bumpy ride.
#3. In case the journey is very long, it is a good idea to rest a while in a hotel midway, specially if you are traveling with children having motion sickness.
This problem aggravates with longer journeys sometimes.
This way you can avoid the child getting sick on the way.
#4. When ever you decide to stopover, splash water gently on your kids face and wipe with a dry towel.
This will help the kid to freshen up in between and she will feel better.
Also when she feels nauseated, make her lie down, have a wet towel on her forhead.
The child stood keep her eyes closed and relax. Keep a calm atmosphere and put off any music system for a while.
This may allow the child to sleep and avoid getting her further nauseated.
#5. Do not allow the child any kind of gadget in a moving vehicle specially if she is prone to motion sickness.
Preparation is key
If you are prepared well to tackle this otherwise overwhelming issue during a travel, you can handle it better.
Also talk to your child regarding this problem and why it happens to her every time she travels.
She will herself do everything possible to stop it. Once we know how and why certain things happen to us , we are naturally better equipped to handle it.
Do not be scared of the trips and do not panic.
In most cases motion sickness gets better with age.
There are medications in case you feel it is required. The key is to keep calm and keep a watch on your child at all times during travel.
Happy Parenting!!
