The Young and Travel Sickness

Compiled by Michelle Dally

TODDLERS and older children are more likely to suffer from travel sickness than babies. However, even babies of six months may experience motion sickness. The following can help you keep travel sickness in check:

• Avoid letting the child eat a large meal before the journey. Rather feed your child a snack, as feeling too full or too hungry can aggravate the situation

• Ensure that your child can see out of the front window of the vehicle by using a booster seat if necessary. Peering out of the side window or facing backwards seems to make everything move faster and can aggravate the problem

• Don’t let children spend the whole journey looking down at books or toys as this can cause nausea. Rather let them listen to stories or songs on tape or CD

• If travelling by bus, try to seat your child in the middle and not on seats that are directly above the wheels. This helps to minimize jerky movements

• If you are not fortunate enough to have a vehicle fitted with an air conditioner, use a battery-operated fan in the rear of the vehicle. If may help to ease nausea. Alternatively, open the window to let the breeze blow on your child’s face

• If none of these tips work, you may have to stop the vehicle until your child feels better. If you know that your child suffers from chronic motion sickness, consult your doctor before making long trips. The doctor may be able to prescribe medication to alleviate the problem

back