How to deal with travel sickness?

claireac

My 3 yr old dd has suddenly started to get travel sick. We can't more than 20/30 mins in the car without her being ill - not nice for any of us, but she gets very upset about it.

Does anybody have any tips to prevent it? I presume I can buy some medication, but would rather not.

We always go out for the day and see Father Christmas somewhere with some friends, but I'm really tempted not to bother because it would just ruin the day for her

faithcecilia

You can get fabric wrist bands that work on pulse points, they can help a bit. Otherwise drugs, and possibly 'sucky sweets'. My sympathy, I am almost 30 and still get travel sick, though thankfully usually only nausea now. Oh, probably not a good idea to give her books or toys on the journey (except something to cuddle) try singing songs?

Savvy_Sue

Sticking plaster behind each ear! Sounds bizarre, but I swear by it.

Use micropore tape, short strip stuck to her head behind the lower part of the ear. Helps the balance systems, I believe.

claireac

Thank you both for your suggestions, I will try them both together!

Someone I was talking to recommended giving her a coin to hold, and that the distraction would help. Not sure about that though. Willing to try anything!

ailuro2

Playing games like I spy encourage her to look out of the window, thereby seeing the horizon and helping her body deal with the motion - kids and adults alike get more sick when their eyes can't see what their body feels - how many drivers get motion sickness?? Or shouting out when she sees a a blue lorry, a car with a dog in it, a house with a red door, you give her the new thing to find and it turns into a game.

Also, try to build her up to longer journeys, drive ten minutes to the supermarket, remind her she was fine, then take a slightly longer route home and remind her again she was fine.

When you need to go somewhere further away, plan in stops without making it obvious it's for her travel sickness. The car needs petrol, Mummy needs to stop and look at the map etc.;)

kte

The wrist bands really are amazing. My husband had terrible car sickness when I met him and he didn't react well to any medication. The bands stopped the sickness straight away and now after a few years, he finds he rarely needs to wear them anymore

ariba10

Myself and some of our grandchildren suffer from travel sickness.

With car sickness we find it better to travel in the front seat, to look out of the front window if possible and whatever you do do not look down or read.

I know your child is only 3 but some of the advice might help now or in later years.

(She has my sympathy)

suki1964

Is her car seat one that can be used in the front seat?

I get travel sick even now in my 40's if I cant see straight out the front window.

My dog gets sick as well if I dont cover his crate and he can see out the window

The other thing - get her ears checked.If there's any infection then that can cause the travel sickness

claireac

Yes I have been putting her car seat in front, and that def helped when we had to go 15/20 min journey recently.

I'm dying to get to see my friend in Nottingham, as well as our christmas trip, but it really puts me off!!

Nordictat2

I suffer from it and on planes, boats and long drives. I take a motion sickness pill before the journey and it helps along with ginger ale. I have had problems with my ears on and off since I was a kid so i think it could have something to do with it.

As far as a child goes...plan enough time on your trip to stop and let your kid(s) get out of the car and make sure they are facing forward. If it continues or gets worse...take her to the GP as it could be an inner ear issue.

claireac

Thank you!

It puzzles as to why it's just come on though. She's been complaining all summer (I use that word loosely :rolleyes:) about being hot in the car, and we didn't realise what she meant, until the fateful journey to Ikea!