Motion sickness (seasickness, motion sickness) sometimes makes traveling with a child a real challenge. Find out why the child has motion sickness and is there any way to prevent it from attacking? What to do if your child vomits on the go? Here are some remedies for motion sickness.

Motion sickness( seasickness, motion sickness ) is a common conditionin children . Motion sickness, also known as sea sickness or motion sickness, is a complex of symptoms of hyperactivity of the labyrinth - the organ of equilibrium. When driving a car, flying in an airplane, or on a boat trip, the labyrinth sends signals to the brain that we are moving, while our sense of touch denies it. After all, we are sitting, so our body does not move. The confused brain doesn't know how to deal with it. And the results don't take long.

Motion sickness: symptoms

The child is yawning, drowsy, drooling, complaining of dizziness and headaches. Usually it is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fatigue. Sometimes there is a disturbance in concentration and coordination of movements, a tendency to faint. The disease more often affects younger children, because the nervous system is formed up to the age of 5, and at that time the labyrinth is more sensitive to stimuli. Nervous, sensitive children who feel tense before traveling are more at risk. In them, the disease can be triggered even by the parents' argument while driving the car.

Motion sickness - reactions vary

The severity of the symptoms and the circumstances in which they occur (repetitive vehicle movements, speed changes, gasoline smell) depend on individual predispositions. In some children, vomiting is even caused by a leisurely ride on a smooth road, in others it is only caused by a strong rocking of the plane. Most children outgrow the disease - their bodies get used to the triggers, but not always.

Better to prevent motion sickness attacks

If the disease persists for a long time, it may lead to dehydration of the body, and thus to heart problems. Children are particularly vulnerable to dehydration, as they usually refuse to drink fluids in such a situation. And because ailments are difficult to deal with when they occur, it's better to prevent them. How to do it:

Important

The child must travel in the seat (or booster seat)up to 12 years of age or until they are 150 cm tall. Together with the seat (stand) it must be fastened with seat belts. The infant car seat must have a soft shock-absorbing inlay or an adjustable depth. For a slightly older child, it should allow the backrest to be tilted. This allows you to travel in a reclining position, which reduces the risk of nausea. It is good if it is equipped with limiters to prevent the head from swaying. Check if it has an approval: circle with the letter E and the number of the country in which the certificate was issued (in Poland E20), and the approval number.

  1. Give your baby a light meal before the trip, limit drinking. During the short ride, child
    should not eat and drink little. During longer periods - they can eat, for example, a roll, refreshing fruit, drink cool water or tea. We give up sweets and carbonated drinks.
  2. It is a good idea to take frequent breaks in the journey so that your child can get some fresh air. While driving, encourage your little one to breathe deeply.
  3. Make sure your baby is sitting facing the direction of travel, in a reclined position, with his head resting. This will reduce motor confusion.
  4. The belt should be well adjusted, not tightened. Its lower part must cover the hips, not the toddler's abdomen, and the upper arm, not the neck.
  5. If your child is prone to motion sickness, sit in a location that is as little exposed to shock as possible - in the middle of a bus, on a train near a locomotive, in an airplane near the wings.
  6. Motion sickness will appear faster as the landscape flies in front of your eyes. Therefore, when planning a trip with an infant or toddler, choose the time when he or she is in the habit of sleeping.
  7. Pharmacies offer agents that reduce the excitability of the labyrinth and act as an antiemetic, e.g. homeopathic Cocculine or Avioplant (for children over 6 years of age), Aviomarin (can be used in children over 5 years of age). Some people find it helpful to suck ginger candy.

In the travel kit

Take a trip with your toddler, among others :

  • Thermometer.
  • A preparation for rehydration (e.g. Gastrolit) in the case of diarrhea and vomiting and a drug with probiotics (e.g. Lacidofil, Lacium).
  • A repellent for mosquitoes, flies and ticks and a soothing gel after insect bites.
  • Disposable dressings (gauze pads, plaster).
  • Antipyretics and painkillers in the form of drops or syrup and suppositories.
Problem

If the child is nauseous then:

  • Don't make a problem of it. The toddler is under a lot of stress anyway. Tell him that adults also have similar ailments.
  • Give mehe smells the oil of mint, basil or lemon balm. Soak a handkerchief with a few drops - let him inhale the fragrance deeply.
  • Replenish fluids in case of vomiting. Give cool drinks in small amounts every 15-30 minutes.
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