Travelling with kids isn’t easy but it comes with great fun and if it happens to be a road trip or a long journey via car, the fun just doubles. Parents and kids can use this time to bond amazingly. However, all joy and pleasure hits roadblock when you see your kids dealing with carsickness.
Car sickness is a type of motion sickness experienced by many people (both kids and grownups) when they travel in an automobile. They are likely to face dizziness, nausea or fatigue when car sickness hits. Apparently, if your kids get carsick, you are likely to dread undertaking a long trip via car.
However, the good news is that car sickness can be dealt with ease if you take care of certain important points. This will not just prevent your child from car sickness but even keep up the travelling fun. Here know the ways to deal with car sickness in kids:
1. Know what exactly makes your child carsick
As said, car sickness can happen to anyone. At times, it even happens to be hereditary. You will have to first figure out what is causing car sickness in your child. It’s basically the coordination between mind and body that gets disturbed and brain gives out signals of body not being well. Some kids face car sickness due to the conflict between brain and body, while a few face it because of the ambience in car which can be too suffocating for them or uneasy. Figure it out as to what’s triggering car sickness in your child and you will be able to deal with it more effectively.
2. Set the car temperature right
Like we pointed out (see point #1), many kids suffer from car sickness due to the ambience inside the car. Temperature can be a prominent one triggering this problem. So make sure that you set the right temperature which is comfortable for your child. You need to know that what you feel in the front can be different from what your kids are experiencing at the back seat. So adjust the temperature to keep away any odd feeling.
3. Don’t let them go empty stomach
Many parents feel that travelling on a full stomach is the prime reason behind motion sickness. Well, let us tell you that going empty stomach can simply be worse. It’s true that one shouldn’t over eat before travelling but eating nothing is also not a good idea, especially for kids. Make sure you give them some light snack before travelling.
4. Make them sit near window
Fresh air always works wonders as it boosts the flow of oxygen in the body and relaxes the nerve cells. If you know that your child is motion sick, it would be better to offer him or her window seat. The fresh air will rejuvenate your child and make him feel good throughout the journey. Also, make sure that he isn’t exposed to too much of heat and also don’t let him sit near the window for too long as the speedy car movement can trigger motion sickness at times. Keep the window time frame limited but frequent.
5. Keep them away from dehydration
Dehydration can also cause motion sickness in your child, so make sure that you give him plenty of fresh water instead of carbonated drinks. Even packed juices should be avoided as it will make them feel full which can lead to nausea. Just stick to plain water, it will keep them refreshed and revitalized.
6. Take frequent breaks
This is one best way of dealing with car sickness in kids. Make sure that you aren’t driving at a stretch. It would always be better to take frequent breaks. This will not just relax you but will be a great relief for the kids travelling along. With frequently taken breaks, your kids will get a chance to get over the tiring ride and relax their body.
7. Keep handy things to prevent nausea
If your child suffers from car sickness, nausea can attack any time. It would be good if you are prepared beforehand. Always carry handy things to deal with nausea. You can give your child some ginger cookies, ginger candies, peppermint, fresh mint, or the peppermint candy.
8. Keep your child engaged
This is one best way of keeping car sickness at bay. Don’t give a chance for your child’s brain to think about the whole travelling thing. Play some nice music in the car or offer them some interesting games. This will keep them engaged and they for sure will have great fun throughout the trip.
9. Let them sleep for sometime
Sleep can also be a great way of preventing car sickness. If your child faces this problem, allow him to sleep for a few hours or just sit with his eyes closed. This will calm the brain muscles and nerve transmission will take place smoothly.
10. Use medication if needed
There are medicines available that help you combat car sickness. However, you should only use them in extreme situations. If condition worsens, make sure you have the medicines handy.
Be considerate enough and take the needed measures to make car travelling a fun moment with your kids. Taking care of these points, you will surely be able to cherish the trip and create wonderful memories.