Cincinnati Children's Blog
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
HOME/Healthy Living/How Can I Prevent My Kids From Getting Motion Sickness?

How Can I Prevent My Kids From Getting Motion Sickness?

How Can I Prevent My Kids From Getting Motion Sickness?
November 23, 2022
Nick DeBlasio, MD
0 Comments

Because motion sickness is fairly common in kids – especially between ages 2-12 – parents often ask how they can prevent it. Motion sickness makes traveling difficult but understanding why it happens can help parents avoid it.

Why Motion Sickness Happens

Motion sickness happens when there is a disconnect between how the different senses detect movement. For instance, kids often feel motion sick when they’re reading a book while traveling in the car. Their inner ears sense movement but their eyes do not. This disconnect in senses can be confusing for the brain, leading to feelings of motion sickness. It’s important to note that while it happens most frequently in the car, motion sickness can happen during any type of movement, such as on a boat, plane, etc.

While we don’t have a good understanding of why some kids get motion sick and others don’t, there are a few strategies parents can try to help prevent it:

How to Help Kids Prevent and Decrease Motion Sickness

  • TIME YOUR DRIVE
    If your kids tend to get motion sickness, consider timing your drive around bedtime or naptime so your kids will be asleep during the bulk of the car ride.
  • OPEN THE WINDOWS
    Having adequate air ventilation in the car can help with motion sickness.
  • LOOK UP AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR
    Remind kids to look up and outside of the car so that their brains process movement. Have them look straight ahead at the horizon, rather than to the side of the car. Sitting in age- and size-appropriate car seats or boosters can help with this. The ideal location in the car is in the middle back seat.
  • CONSIDER WHAT THEY EAT
    Eating greasy, heavy foods can make kids feel queasy. Avoid giving them these types of foods before a trip. On the flip side, some kids feel motion sickness when they have an empty stomach, so offering light snacks, like crackers, may help.
  • TRY DISTRACTIONS
    Play games, sing songs, talk about what you’re going to do on the trip.
  • ENCOURAGE DEEP BREATHING
    Taking deep breaths, through activities such as singing, can help decrease motion sickness
  • MAKE FREQUENT STOPS AND LET YOUR KIDS WALK AROUND
  • OFFER MEDICINE, WHEN NECESSARY
    If these strategies don’t work for your kids, try an over-the-counter antihistamine, like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl). I recommend testing it before you travel because you don’t know how it will affect kids. For most, it makes them drowsy; however, some kids feel wired when they take it. Be sure to give it to them an hour before traveling so that it has time to work.   

Related Articles

How Parents Can Help Picky Eaters Through the Holidays
How Parents Can Help Picky Eaters Through the Holidays
How to Build Family Traditions That Promote Well-Being
How to Build Family Traditions That Promote Well-Being
Holiday Travel With Kids: Tips To Be Prepared
Holiday Travel With Kids: Tips To Be Prepared
Gifts for Kids That Promote Health and Wellness
Gifts for Kids That Promote Health and Wellness
TAGS:
  • holidays
  • Home
  • travel
Dr. Nick DeBlasio

About the author: Nick DeBlasio, MD

Nick DeBlasio, MD, is a pediatrician in the Division of General and Community Pediatrics. His areas of interest include medical education and primary care of underserved children. He is an attending physician at the Pediatric Primary Care Center.

Write A Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

No Comments Yet

Topics

  • Cancer and Blood Diseases
  • Child Development and Behavior
  • Childhood Obesity
  • Chronic Care Networks
  • Cincinnati Walks for Kids
  • Featured Faces
  • Fetal Conditions
  • Fitness and Nutrition
  • Food Allergies
  • Ghana 2012
  • Health Care Public Policy
  • Health Care Quality
  • Health Care Reform
  • Healthy Living
  • Heart Conditions
  • Hospital Operations
  • Learning and Growing
  • Nurses Week 2012
  • Patient Family Experience
  • Patient Flow
  • Patient Safety
  • Pin of the Week
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Share Your Story
  • Technology
  • The Young & Healthy Podcast
  • Uncategorized
  • Vaccines
  • Volunteerism
  • What's New
See All Topics
See Less Topics

Subscribe

Subscribe today to our family newsletter for tips, blog posts, podcasts and more.

Subscribe Now

Popular Posts

  • 6 Questions to Ask When Your Child Complains of Chest Pain 867 views

  • Lean, Purple Drank, Sizzurp: A Dangerous Teenage Drink 697 views

  • Stuttering In Young Kids: When To Be Concerned 605 views

  • Should I Worry If My Child’s Chest Is Sunken? 275 views

  • How To Increase Calories In Your Underweight Child’s Diet 265 views

  • Tips for Helping Babies Transition to Cow’s Milk 263 views

About

The Cincinnati Children’s blog features thoughts and perspectives from our experts on all things pediatric health. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn More »

Contact Us
  • 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
  • 1-513-636-4200 | 1-800-344-2462
  • TTY: 1-513-636-4900
  • socialmedia@cchmc.org
Connect With Us
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us

© 2009-2025 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center