5 Ways to prevent motion sickness
Nothing can ruin a car trip like a toddler with a bout of motion sickness. Here is what to do.
Motion sickness can occur in cars or on trains, planes, boats or amusement park rides – and according to the CDC Yellow Book 2024 entry on Motion Sickness, children between 2 and 12 years old are especially prone. Infants are generally immune.
Sensory conflict theory explains motion sickness as the result of the brain receiving conflicting information from the ears, eyes and other sensations, causing dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, headache, sweating, upset stomach, and vomiting or retching.
On car journeys, young children may be more susceptible because they tend to ride in the back seat, unable to see out of the windscreen. Their inner ears sense the movement of the car, but with their eyes focused on the seat in front of them, or on a book or digital screen, their brain receives mixed signals.
If your child is given to car sickness, try these five tips:
1. Although legal, it is not safe for children under 13 to travel in the front seat of a vehicle, so sit them in the middle of the back seat, with a clear view of the road head, or beside a window. Encourage them to look out. Do not give them books, screens or other distractions that keep their attention inside, says Cape Town GP Dr Neville Wellington. Rather play music or audio books, sing along with them, or encourage games like 'I Spy', choosing objects outside the car, or spotting and counting cars of specific colours or makes.
2. Drive during your little one’s sleep or nap time, setting out late or very early in the morning.
3. Keep air vents open, or open windows a crack for fresh air, which can help stave off nausea. Remove air fresheners or other sources of odours that may cause sensitivity.
4. Give the child a small, bland meal before the journey, or plain snacks en route, such as crackers, dry cereal or plain snack bars, says Dr Wellington. Offer water to sip, not sugary fizzy drinks, so they stay hydrated. Sucking flavoured lozenges, such as ginger, may help, but be aware of chocking risks for younger children.
5. Ask your health provider about giving motion sickness medication, and the correct doses, potential side effects, or conflict with other medication they may be on. Dimenhydrinate, the main ingredient in medication used to treat motion sickness, is approved for children aged two and older, and should be given an hour before a journey. While antihistamine medications like this tend to make them sleepy, they may make some children hyperactive. Consider giving your child a test dose before your journey. (Non-drowsy antihistamines do not seem effective at treating motion sickness, reports Mayo Clinic). The efficacy of acupressure magnet bands and other alternative treatments remains controversial and contradictory, lacking significant controlled scientific studies.
If your child starts to feel car sick despite your precautions, stop the car at the first safe place and let them walk around, or lie on their back with their eyes closed for a few minutes, Dr Wellington suggests.
Always travel prepared, with sick bags or an empty ice-cream tub that can be sealed after use, wet-wipes and a change of clothing – possibly for you too!
IMAGE CREDIT: 123rf.com
