Tricks to Beat Car Sickness

12 Proven Tips to Tackle Car Sickness in Kids 

You know that car sickness is no small parenting challenge. Road trips become a game of luck, short drives are stressful, and you end up cleaning car seats rather than enjoying your family’s adventures. You’re not the only one who suffers from motion sickness. One in three people is susceptible to motion sickness, and most of these are children.

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It can ruin vacations, cause anxiety in children, and cause them to fear travel. There are many ways to manage, reduce, or even prevent symptoms. We’re going to explore the science of car sickness in this post and share 12 tips from parents that have been tried and tested.

What is Motion Sickness?

Motion sickness is caused by the brain receiving conflicting signals, especially from the inner ear and eyes. While your child is sitting in the backseat watching a movie, reading a boo,k or listening to music, their inner ear may detect motion coming from the moving car. The mismatch between the visual input and vestibular signals can cause the brain to be confused, leading to symptoms such as dizziness and nausea.

Motion sickness can affect anyone, but is more common among children between the ages of 2 and 12 years old, pregnant women, or migraine sufferers. Some kids will grow out of motion sickness, but others may struggle well into adolescence (or beyond).

The good news is? The good news?

1. Take the Smoothest Route

Plan your trip strategically. Children who suffer from nausea can be ruined by those scenic, winding roads. Sharp curves, steep hills, and stop-start traffic are all factors that can exacerbate symptoms.

When possible, choose highways or smoother, straighter roads. If you choose a flat, level route, your child will have fewer reactions to the motion. They can also stop more often for bathroom breaks and fresh air.

Bonus tip

Google Maps and other GPS tools can be used to pre-view your route. If you can, avoid known traffic-heavy and bumpy sections.

2. Avoid heavy meals and opt for light snacks

It may seem counterintuitive, but an empty stomach will make you feel worse. A full stomach can also make you feel sick, especially if the food is spicy, gr, or rich.

Before the trip, give your child something bland, like toast or dry crackers. These foods are light on the stomach, and they help to regulate blood sugar levels, which can help reduce nausea.

Avoid eating large meals an hour before you travel. If your journey is long, stop to take a break and eat outside of the car. Avoid sugary drinks and milk-based drinks that may curdle on a bumpy road.

3. Reduce Sensory Overload

Children with motion sickness are more likely to experience symptoms when they concentrate on a screen or a book during the trip. Visual disconnection between the moving car and the image they are looking at causes confusion to the brain’s motion sensor.

Encourage your child to instead look out the window, preferably at a fixed spot on the horizon. The steady movement of the scenery helps to align the vestibular and visual cues.

If it’s nap time, even better! Sleep can help you overcome the mismatch of sensory perception.

4. Keep the Fresh Air Moving

A good ventilation system can make a huge difference. Stale air in the car, strong smells like snacks, perfumes, or fuel, or excessive heat can make you feel nauseated.

Adjust the air conditioner to gently blow on the face of your child. Ensure that the airflow in the car is constant and that the temperature remains cool.

Parents swear by certain scents, like lemon or peppermint, to reduce nausea. Try dabbing a little essential oil on a piece of cloth and placing it near the air vent.

5. Use Distractions Wisely

A distraction that is well-timed can sometimes stop nausea in its tracks. Talking to your child or playing games with them can keep their minds engaged.

It is especially helpful to have audiobooks or podcasts for children. They entertain your child without forcing them to concentrate on a text or screen. Create a playlist with calming stories or funny ones, or download some educational podcasts before your trip.

6. Stop Often for Breaks

Regular pit stops are beneficial. Your child can breathe fresh air and reset their systems by stopping every 30-60 minutes.

Do not wait if your child begins to show signs of discomfort – pale face, sweating, or quietness, or if they say that they feel strange. Let them out safely for a few moments. Encourage them to look around at the scenery or lie down with their eyes closed, a cool cloth over their forehead, and walk around.

Allow them to set the pace. Pushing them too quickly may lead to a bigger setback.

7. You Can Sit Differently

It is important to consider where your child is seated in the car. It is best to sit in the direction you are traveling, rather than facing backwards. In most cars, the middle seat is best. It allows your child to look out the front windows rather than focus on the blurry side windows.

Sitting in the front seat for older children (if it is legal and safe to do so) can also help to reduce symptoms.

If you’re on a boat or ferry, choose a seat in the middle or the front, as there is less movement. For more stability, choose seats near the wings on planes.

8. Use Acupressure

Acupressure bands are commonly found in travel and pharmacy stores. They apply gentle pressure on a point called nei kuan. It is believed that stimulating this spot can reduce nausea.

Place three fingers just below your palm on the inner wrist. The pressure point is located between your tendons, right beneath your index finger. You can use acupressure bands or your fingers to press the point.

These bands are easy to use, drug-free, and safe.

9. Give Ginger a Try

Since ancient times, ginger has been used to soothe upset stomachs and combat nausea. It’s worth trying ginger in different forms, such as ginger biscuits or tea, or crystallised ginger.

Ginger is not for everyone, but it’s a natural and safe way to add flavor to your car drinks or snacks. You can also try ginger capsules if your child does not like the taste. However, it is best to consult your doctor before taking supplements.

10. Consider Medication

Speak to your GP about the best motion sickness medication for children. Antihistamines such as dimenhydrinate and meclizine can be used, but the dosage must be considered.

These medications should be taken an hour or so before you travel, and not when nausea has already set in. They’re also not recommended for children younger than 2 years — consult a doctor first.

11. Try a Magnetic Strip (or newspaper trick?)

Parents have used anti-static strips to dispel static electricity from cars. These strips dangle off the chassis, and some parents believe that this is what causes motion sickness. The theory is not supported by any scientific evidence, but some parents have reported that it has helped them.

Another popular but quirky tip? Place the newspaper under the child’s seat. Although it is unclear why it works, or even if it does work at all, enough parents swear that it works.

12. Prepare for the Worst 

Even with all the tricks you can use, car sickness can still happen. In those moments, planning is key.

What every parent should have on hand for a sick child in the car:

• Sick bags or vomit bags, keep them in reach of your children.
• Paper towels and Wet Wipes for quick cleaning.
• Two or more towels are needed to absorb spills and protect the chair.
• Change your clothes for yourself and possibly also for your child.
• Spare Plastic Bags for cleaning or storing dirty clothing.
• Water Bottles for cooling the forehead, rinsing the mouth, or general comfort.
• Spray of essential oils or air freshener to remove lingering smells.

A small spray bottle with vinegar and water can be used to neutralize odors from upholstery while you do a more thorough cleaning.

Conclusion

It can be difficult to parent a child who gets car sick, especially when it seems like you have tried everything. The key to success is perseverance, creativity, and preparation. What works for one child might not work for another.

Start small, combine some strategies, and make notes on what works. You’ll eventually find a routine to make car travel safer, more comfortable, and less stressful.

Pack your emergency kit and keep the music going. One day, they may grow out of this stage, and you will have a great road trip story.

Enjoy your travels!