Top 5 Tips for Reducing Motion Sickness for Kids

Children between the ages of two and twelve are most likely to suffer from motion sickness, especially when traveling in an automobile. Some kids are simply not very tolerant of car travel. However, it is possible to reduce morning sickness.

Avoid Trips Early In the Morning

A child who has just awoken in the early morning has a greater chance of becoming motion sick. The risk of sickness is especially great if the child has recently drank milk or juice or eaten breakfast. Instead, the best option is to schedule your car trips for a few hours after breakfast time.

It is good idea to wait at least an hour after the consumption of milk or juice before you head out on the road. Milk is likely to curdle on the child's stomach, which can make the cleanup a nightmare. Juice is rather sugary and will not settle well on your child's little tummy. Water is best for trips in the car.

It is also wise to avoid travel until at least an hour after a big meal. Lighter foods, such as toast, vegetable sticks, gelatin or broth are best. Meals before traveling should not include cheese, mayonnaise, yogurt or oil.

Treat Symptoms Gingerly

Ginger tea is good to have on hand in case your child becomes nauseated in the car. Add five slices of ginger to two cups of water and boil for ten to fifteen minutes. For a little sweetness, you may want add a bit of honey to the tea. Allow the tea enough time to cool, but keep it warm in a thermos.

You may also want to stash a few ginger cookies in your travel bag for a convenient snack that will also ease motion sickness. Ginger cookies are extremely affordable and can usually be found at your local grocery store.

Assign Proper Seating

For many adults that are prone to motion sickness, sitting in the backseat is a big no-no. However, the front seat is not safe for young children. Instead, make sure your child rides in the middle of the backseat, where he or she can easily see out the front windshield.

Watching scenery go by from the side view of the backseat will make motion sickness worse. Seeing everything head-on will reduce the amount of queasiness the child feels. As long as a seatbelt is available, this is the ideal spot for your child to ride in order to reduce motion sickness.

Leave the Books At Home

Young children love to read and take their favorite books with them everywhere they go. However, reading in a moving vehicle will make even those who are not prone to motion sickness feel ill.

Watching a movie on a DVD player is a better option. These days, portable DVD players are quite affordable and can even be mounted on seat backs for easy viewing.

Adjust Temperature for Greater Comfort

Along with nausea, motion sickness can also cause children to feel hot or experience chills. Air conditioning and open windows can help to keep your child cool, and you can keep a blanket in the car in case he or she needs to get warm. Experiment with different temperatures until you find out what is most comfortable for your child.

Motion sickness is not fun for parents or children, but proper preparation helps. Be sure you have towels, wet wipes and a change of clothes on hand in your car at all times. With a little patience, everyone will be able to enjoy family road trips.

Clearly safe and comfortable travelling with children is a top concern of all parents. Author Mary Ellen Ward works hard to help others maximize family travel and safety. More safe-travelling topics can be found at comprehensiveinsurancequotes.com.