motion-sickness

Summer is often a time of travel, and for some kids that may mean motion sickness related to being in a car, boat, or plane. Motion sickness can also be caused by amusement park rides that cause spinning or rapid up and down movements like a roller coaster.

Motion sickness occurs because the body, eyes, and inner ears are getting conflicting signals about movement. In a car, for example, if a child is sitting too low to see out of a window, their inner ears sense movement, but their eyes don’t get the same information. This triggers symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Children may also complain of a headache. Younger pre-verbal kids often cry or may appear restless and uncomfortable.

Motion sickness is common, occurring in about 25% of people. It often begins in childhood and can run in families. If a parent has motion sickness, a child has a 50% chance of developing it as well. Motion sickness in childhood may be related to having migraines later. 

There are steps you can take to help your child if they have had motion sickness:

•  Before travel, offer a light snack.
• Have an airsickness bag or large Ziploc with you- just in case! Usually kids vomit just once with motion sickness.
• Encourage your child to look outside of the car, ideally at the horizon; they should avoid reading, playing video games, or looking at a screen. 
• If your child is over age 12 years old, they should sit up front. If they are in the back, the middle seat will allow them to look out the front window of the car.
• On a plane, have your child sit next to the front part of the wing if possible.
• On a boat, your child should be near the middle and focus on the horizon.
• Keep a car window cracked for fresh air.
• If there are symptoms while in the car, allow your kiddo to take a break if possible and go with them for a short walk.
• Encourage your child to close their eyes and rest or sleep during the ride.
• Try to distract your child with music or a story.
• Lying down with a cool cloth placed on the forehead may be helpful.

If motion sickness is a significant problem, talk with your child’s health care provider about medication taken before travel. Over-the-counter antihistamines (like Dramamine or Benadryl) can help for kids over 2 years of age. Interestingly, it is the antihistamines which cause drowsiness that help, so your child may have grogginess as a side effect. Motion sickness typically resolves within 4 hours of the motion stopping. If your child’s symptoms last more than 8 hours or they appear more ill, call your child’s provider.