Motion Sickness
What is Motion Sickness?
Motion sickness can happen when there is a mismatch between what your eyes are seeing and what your inner ear is feeling.
For example, imagine that your child is reading a book in the backseat of a moving car. Their eyes are focusing on the book and are telling their brain they aren’t moving. But as the car accelerates and brakes and takes turns, their inner ear (which helps control balance) tells the brain that they are moving. The brain begins to get confused as it is getting two different signals. This can cause motion sickness.
What are the Symptoms?
Symptoms of motion sickness can include your child feeling queasy, sweaty or dizzy which can lead to vomiting.
Managing Motion Sickness (Without Medications)
Try to keep your child looking forward towards the horizon while traveling.
Try to avoid screen time or reading while moving.
Keep the car cool and well ventilated with fresh air.
Have light snacks before and during the trip. Sometimes having an empty stomach can make the symptoms of motion sickness worse.
Take frequent breaks during long road trips so your child can get some fresh air and move around.
Managing Motion Sickness (With Over The Counter Medications & Devices)
Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine for Kids)
How it works: Dimenhydrinate helps block some of the signals to the brain that can cause motion sickness.
Dramamine can be used in children 2 years of age and older.
Meclizine (Children's Bonine)
How it works: Meclizine is very similar to dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), it blocks signals to the brain that cause motion sickness.
Meclizine can be used in children 12 years of age and older.
Ginger supplements or candies
How it works: Ginger has natural properties to help settle and soothe an upset stomach. This can help symptoms of nausea during motion sickness.
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
How it works: Diphenhydramine can help reduce nausea and vomiting. This along with some of its sedating effects (makes you sleepy) can help with motion sickness.
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can be used in almost all ages.
Wrist Bands (Acupressure Bands)
How It works: These bands apply pressure to a specific point on the wrist. It is believed that these pressure points can help with nausea relief, according to principles of acupressure.