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Prevention of motion sickness
By car, train, plane or boat, the organism can be confused. This is called motion sickness. It arises from a conflict between visual information and that perceived by the inner ear. So when your child is reading a book in the car, their visual image is fixed, while their inner ear picks up acceleration and turns. Then, the brain can react badly to this contradictory information and cause discomfort, sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Make your child travel rested
Fatigue is a factor in the appearance of disorders. A quick nap or a good night’s sleep before departure are good ways to prevent motion sickness. Also do not wake your child until the last moment. He doesn’t need to go through all the half-sleepy travel preparations.
Don’t let him go hungry
Traveling on an empty stomach has never stopped a child from feeling bad, on the contrary. Before departure, therefore, feed him reasonably, while avoiding fatty and difficult to digest foods or carbonated drinks.
Think about homeopathy
These alternative medicines have the advantage of not having undesirable effects. Some treatments must be started the day before, others only a few hours before departure. There is also an anti-nausea bracelet with a ball that massages the wrist at the Neï-Kuan acupuncture point.
Talk to your pediatrician
If homeopathy does not calm your child, your pediatrician can prescribe an “antiemetic” medication suitable for nausea and vomiting such as Primperan or Vogalene.
Favor “fresh” departures
Early in the morning or late at night, choose a departure time that allows you to travel “in the cool”. First, because the heat makes nausea worse, then because your child will find sleep more easily at these times than during the day.
Air the car
Make sure that the vehicle is clean, ventilated and does not emit foul odors. Of course, in any case, do not smoke. In the car, remember to open the windows to renew the air and to adjust the sound of the radio speakers so that it is not too loud.
Wedge your child
Your child should be well supported in his seat to minimize head movement. Avoid any reading during the trip and have it fix the horizon or a stable point outside the vehicle (the road), which allows the body to find its spatial references. In the event of an accident, provide a suitable hygienic bag.
Adopt a smooth ride
Ask the driver to drive with the least amount of acceleration and deceleration possible. The jolts promote heartache. Calm driving is a guarantee of well-being.
Take breaks
Stop every two hours to breathe, drink, and stretch your legs. A good breath of fresh air is as beneficial for passengers as it is for the driver. And don’t hesitate to give your child (if he is over 3 years old) menthol candies that can soothe him.