Why does my child get sick when riding in the car?
It sounds like your child has motion sickness. It's most common in children ages 2 to 12 years old, but it can happen at any age. Some kids are more prone to motion sickness than others – maybe because they're more sensitive to the brain's response to motion.
Motion sickness can also strike during a boat, train, or plane ride, especially if it's your child's first time or the motion is dramatic (turbulent air or rough water). It can even be triggered by swinging on a swing.
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The good news is that the tendency to get carsick, get seasick, and feel motion sickness usually diminishes as kids get older.
What causes motion sickness?
The problem happens when your child's brain receives different messages from the parts of her body that sense motion – like the eyes, inner ears, nerves, and joints.
For example, if she's looking at a toy or a picture book in a moving car, her eyes are sending a signal to her brain that she's not in motion. But other parts of her body can feel that she's in motion, so they send the opposite message. These conflicting signals cause her to feel nauseated.
The same thing can happen on a plane during turbulence or in a boat riding the ocean swells. Stress and excitement can make the symptoms worse, too.
What can I do to help my child's motion sickness?
Be patient with your child, who is feeling quite miserable, and try these tips:
- Be alert to the early signs of motion sickness – a cold sweat and loss of appetite typically show up before a child starts vomiting – and stop the activity if possible. For example, pull off the road for a short break if you're driving. If you can stop, lay him down and place a cool cloth on his forehead. His symptoms will likely subside within 15 minutes or so.
- If your child is old enough to face forward in the car, have him look ahead at a spot on the horizon. An object in the distance will give visual input that you're moving relative to that point. This will help resolve some of the mixed messages being sent to his brain.
- Provide some cool air. In the car, set the fan or air conditioner to blow lightly on your child or crack the window for a breeze. On a boat, take him out on deck.
- For a smoother ride in a large car with two rows of backseats, secure him in the middle row rather than the rearmost row (and for safety's sake, never in the front). In other forms of transportation, choose the forward cars of a train; the upper deck of a boat, toward the middle; and by the front edge of the wings of a plane. Position him where he can look out the window whenever possible.
- Distract him. Motion sickness can sometimes be a state of mind, so try singing or chatting. Don't have him look at books or play with toys, though, because these will make him more disoriented.
- Feed your child. Your instinct may tell you to do the opposite, but provide a light snack before the trip. Why? Hunger can sometimes make nausea worse. (There's some debate on this one, so note whether eating a little snack helps or hinders your child's trip. Then you'll know how to prepare next time.)
- Try to schedule the trip during naptime, because he's much less likely to become sick to his stomach if he's asleep during the motion. If he's beyond napping age, encourage him to sleep if he's tired.
- Keep activity to a minimum. Try to keep your child as calm as you can, with his head as motionless as possible.
- You might also try a motion-sickness bracelet, which is thought to quell nausea by stimulating acupressure points on the wrist. While the scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness is still lacking, some families report relief. And if you tell your child that this special bracelet is made to keep him from feeling sick in the car or on the plane – well, it just might do the trick. (Be sure to check the label to make sure the band is appropriate for your child's age.)
If your child ends up vomiting despite your best efforts, have him drink liquids to avoid dehydration.
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Are there drugs my child can take before a long trip to prevent motion sickness?
For children 2 years old and up, anti-nausea medications are sold over the counter, some in chewable tablet and liquid forms. But ask the doctor before giving one to your child. Side effects can include drowsiness or excitability, dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision.
For insurance on trips, take along a durable plastic bag, wipes or a damp cloth, and a change of clothes.
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