Managing Motion Sickness

Signs and symptoms

In the book Caring for Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5, the American Academy of Pediatrics lists the following symptoms of motion sickness:

• nausea or queasiness
• headache
• paleness
• restlessness
• yawning
• crying
• fatigue
• loss of appetite
• cold sweat
• vomiting

What to do in case of motion sickness

If possible, stop your travel at the first sign of motion sickness, let your child recline and put a cool cloth on his forehead until he's feeling better. That said, the best advice to parents on the move with children is to be prepared. Bring with you a bucket or bags that can completely seal off unpleasant messes, a wet washcloth or two in a plastic bag can be used to help cool a child's forehead and/or clean up after vomiting, paper towels or unscented baby wipes, and cool water your child can sip slowly to avoid dehydration after throwing up.

Perhaps most importantly, do not be angry with your child if he or she does become sick, because he cannot control what is happening to his body and may be frightened as well.