There are various challenges that parents may face when taking their little ones on long-distance trips. Either by car, train, plane, or other modes of transportation.
Not only discomfort and fussiness during the trip, but children may also experience motion sickness. The condition of the child’s body feeling dizzy, nauseated, and vomiting.
Not to mention, the child’s sobs that might interfere with Mom’s family journey.
For this reason, following Thevolume.net provides information about the symptoms and how to deal with motion sickness in children.
Causes of motion sickness in children
Citing the urmc.rochester.edu page, motion sickness in children is not caused by the mode of transportation used, Mom. This concerns the child’s body’s response to signals sent by the brain.
Normally, the eyes, ears, and all the joints send the same signal to the brain. For example, when traveling by car, most parts of the body will tell the brain that “Everything must move forward.”
However, a child’s brain may get a different message if the child sits too low from the window or if the child sits down to look down and read.
The part of the ear that controls balance and movement will say, “We’re moving,” but the message from the eye says that “We need to sit still and look at the book!”.
This condition causes a sensory incompatibility that burdens and confuses the brain. As a result, the child’s stomach becomes distended accompanied by nausea during the trip.
Signs or symptoms of motion sickness
Motion sickness usually begins with a vague feeling of abdominal pain and nausea, cold sweats, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
The child may not be interested, even in his favorite food or drink. This condition will usually continue, even the child may vomit.
A child may not be able to describe nausea, Mom. However, your little one will show it with a face that looks pale, feeling restless, yawning, and crying.
How to deal with your little one’s motion sickness
If your child starts showing signs or symptoms of motion sickness. By stopping activities that cause hangovers.
If your child is drunk during a car trip, stop as soon as possible and allow your child to get out and go for a walk.
In addition to frequent stops, try the following ways, Ma:
- if the child has not eaten for three hours, give the child a light snack before the trip. This method can reduce hunger, which can make motion sickness symptoms worse.
- Try to focus his attention away from feeling nauseous. For example, listening to the radio, singing, or talking,
- Ask your child to look outside, but not at books or games that can make motion sickness worse.
If none of these methods work, try to stop and get off the transport. Remove the child from the chair, get out, and have him lie down for a few minutes with his eyes closed. After feeling better, Mom can continue the journey.
However, stopping and exiting transportation during the trip is not possible. You can use a cold compress on the child’s forehead. This method can relieve motion sickness symptoms faster, in at least 15 minutes.
Tips for comfortable travel so that children don’t get drunk
Before taking your little one on a trip together, it would be nice for parents to have enough preparation. Here are tips for comfortable and safe travel so that children don’t get drunk:
Reduce sensory input
You can take your child to look at things outside the car, train, or plane during the trip instead of focusing on books, games, or gadgets.
Perfect travel time
If your child is used to taking naps, traveling at nap time may help reduce motion sickness.
Plan meals carefully
It’s best to avoid giving your child a heavy meal before or during the trip. If the trip will be long and the child needs to eat, you can simply give the child light and bland snacks, such as dry biscuits or a soft drink.
Pay attention to the air vent
Adequate air ventilation can prevent motion sickness in children so they can feel comfortable.
Give medicines to prevent hangovers
Mom can give the child medicine to prevent nausea, dizziness, and motion sickness. However, it is best to ask your pediatrician first.
Usually, the drugs used to prevent motion sickness are over-the-counter antihistamines. For example, dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
Do not forget to read the product label carefully so that the dose or dosage given is correct. In addition, you also need to be alert for possible side effects, such as drowsiness.
That’s some important information about the symptoms, how to deal with, and prevention of motion sickness in children that parents can do. Don’t forget to stay healthy and have a nice trip for Mom and their family!
