Kids & car sickness

It seems like every family has at least one person who is prone to car sickness. Children ages 2 to 12 suffer the most, due to sensitivities of the inner ears. And there is a genetic component, so it can indeed run in families.

What is a mom to do, when driving as a family is an unavoidable part of life? To help your child with motion sickness:

• Avoid overly windy roads, if possible. The scenic bypass is not so scenic when you have to pull over

  and clean up vomit.

• Limit snacks and meals to small portions of light, non-spicy, non-greasy foods.

• Make sure the car is well-ventilated in the back where the kids are sitting.

• Encourage your child to look into the distance by playing games like “I spy” that require looking out the window.

• Avoid reading and screens while in the car. Give audiobooks a try instead.

• Try singing a song to encourage deep breathing.

If nausea persists, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and let your child walk around in the fresh air. You can try changing seat assignments, so the sick child is next to a window and has the best ventilation possible.

There are plenty of anti-nausea products out there, and some of them work for some people. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidance on age for usage:

• Acupressure wristbands. While research on their efficacy is still unclear, your child may find them comforting.

• Ginger-flavored lollipops. These are popular for morning sickness, too.

• Those goofy glasses with plastic tubing and blue liquid are available in kids’ sizes.

And to keep the car clean, invest in disposable barf bags. They even come in fun kid-prints to make the situation a bit more bearable. Pack a change of clothing for your child, as well as some old towels and a garbage bag.

It’s rough for the child who simply cannot help that they have motion sickness. If your child persistently suffers and is over 2 years old, talk to your pediatrician for advice.

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Brought to you by:

Kristina Jara

Kristina has been with Capitol Auto Group for over two years as a Service Business Development Specialist. Kristina and her husband Austin have two amazing children, Thomas who is 5, and Kiylee who is 4. “There are so many things I love about working for Capitol, including how it’s become another family to me,” Kristina says. In her spare time she enjoys doing puzzles with her family and reading books with her children.