How to Prevent Motion Sickness In Kids
As a parent, you want to do everything you can to keep your baby healthy and happy. Unfortunately, sometimes babies get sick, including motion sickness. A sick child strapped to the car seat can really stress a mommy out, but don’t worry, there are ways to prevent and treat baby motion sickness.
Motion Sickness in the Car
Road trips are always fun and free of stress (said no mom ever!) but getting car sick is especially yucky. That is why we have put together a comprehensive guide helping to ease the possibility of your kiddos becoming motion sick.
Keep in mind that some children are just more susceptible to motion sickness than others. Where some kids giggle they jolt up and down, or swerve left and right, while other kids sit anxiously, hoping for the moment to pass.
Motion Sickness Symptoms
The most common symptom of motion sickness is nausea, but there are other symptoms that we consider being signs of motion sickness. Other symptoms can include:
- headaches
- dizziness
- sweating
- pale skin
- tiredness
- irritability
- vomiting
This is a short list and your child may experience other symptoms that those we have mentioned. Since moms know best, if your child is acting differently than they normally do in the car, then it has something to do with the car’s motion.
How to Detect Motion Sickness in a Baby
The best way to detect general motion sickness is to look for the traditional symptoms listed above. If your baby is showing any of these symptoms, it’s important to stop the activity that is causing the motion sickness and rest until the symptoms go away. Most parents are familiar with the symptoms of motion sickness in adults, but may not be as aware of the signs in babies.
The most common symptom of motion sickness in a baby is crying. Other symptoms include reduced activity level, irritability, and lack of interest in food, nursing, or a bottle. If your baby is showing any of these signs, it is important to monitor them closely and consult with your pediatrician if you have any concerns.
10 Motion Sickness Prevention Tips: For Babies & Children
Make Sure You Have a Well Rested Child: Ensure that your baby is well-rested before travel. Fussiness leads to emotional problems which increase the risk of car sickness. While as parents, we hope for a sleeping child when traveling long distances, it shouldn’t come because of being forced into exhaustion.
Don’t eat junk! - Eating a healthy meal the day before and a meal before a road trip is so important! If you are feeding your kids something that is not healthy, you are asking for an adventure. Just think about how your body feels after you pound back 2 double cheeseburgers compared to a nice chicken salad. Eating right on the road is important as well.
Natural Airflow - Stagnant air can cause kids to feel trapped in a car, which causes them to panic. Our stomachs twist and turn when it is unsettled. A bit of fresh air or airflow can help ease motion sickness. **TIP: Ensure that the car doesn’t stink (even like an air freshener) because that doesn’t help anyone’s tummies.
Proper Car Seat Position: Having the car seat in the proper position makes sure the lungs receive that airflow. If your baby’s car seat causes their head to tip forward, the lack of oxygen could increase the risk of car sickness.
Keep your eyes on the road - If your child is feeling rather ill, encourage them to look out the front window. This way, they can see where the car is going and expect twists and turns.
Take a break during long trips - Sometimes simply pulling the car over and allowing your child to get out, walk around, and get fresh air can ease the situation! Slow things down and just take deep breaths.
Keep your child hydrated - If you believe that you have a dehydrated child, small sips of water can help ease an upset stomach. Even small amounts of dehydration typically increase the risk of nausea.
The Right Amount of Nutrition - While we do not want full bellies, feed your baby small, frequent meals during long trips. A baby or child who is hungry yet goes unfed makes the motion induced car sickness much worse.
Use doctor approved medication - If your child is always getting car sick and nothing works for them, consider talking to your doctor. Find out if they can recommend an over-the-counter travel sickness medication that is appropriate for your child‘s age.
Strong Smells and Odors - You are bound to have a sick child when combining a small space, with excessive motion, and a strong odor. Be careful that your air freshener, food, or perfume is not the tipping point for making your child sick.
Other Causes of Vomiting and Sickness in the Car
Each child is unique and may have a personalized reason for car sickness. There are other options out there that you can try to ease your child‘s motion sickness. Make sure you do some research so it prepares you for prevention before your next car trip!
Don’t Confuse Motion Sickness With More Extreme Conditions
Don’t take the issue lightly even if your child has a history of motion induced nausea. There may be other reasons a child is showing symptoms related to motion sickness. One such example is exhaust fumes. A child may have an increased sensitivity to the fumes a car emits and experience a sickie feeling that resembles motion sickness.
While nausea is a common and normal reaction to car travel with a lot of motion, don’t assume that this is always the reason.
When To Seek Medical Attention
It’s important to consult with your doctor if you think your baby is experiencing motion sickness. Seek care immediately if you feel there is a deeper underlying issue that is causing symptoms that appear to be motion sickness.
There is no harm in having your child checked out if you are questioning the cause of the main symptom. No, you are not being an overprotective mother. You are doing what you feel is best (and safe) for your child.
Easily View Your Baby At All Times
Traditional mirrors make it hard to see without angling your head just right. This can be dangerous when trying to keep your eyes on the road and on your baby. The larger frame built into the Leo & Ella Baby Car Mirror makes it easier to see your baby and identify any of the symptoms we have mentioned.
Purchase the Leo & Ella Baby Car Mirror and see for yourself why our mom approved baby car mirror is the right choice for your family.