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Are you looking for natural remedies for motion sickness? You’re in luck because there are lots of options that can provide relief.
I recently discovered that my middle child has a mild case of motion sickness. We are lucky to not have any vomiting, but he gets nauseous, and just overall feels yucky.
I came up with a great travel kit for car sickness filled with natural remedies. I use this for my 5 year old, but everything in it would work for adults as well. I’ll show you how to put your own kit together at the end of the post.
First let’s go over a few things anyone can easily do to ease motion sickness naturally.
HOW DO YOU PREVENT MOTION SICKNESS IN CHILDREN?
There are lots of natural things you can do to help prevent your child from having motion sickness. I try to avoid traditional drugs like Dramamine, so you’ll find natural alternatives and remedies here instead.
TURN OFF THE SCREENS
Watching a tablet or phone while moving can make motion sickness worse. If you’re dealing with a car-sick kid, try distracting them with a car game, having them rest their head or focus on the horizon instead.
TAKE DEEP BREATHS
Breathing deeply and fully can help to sooth a queasy stomach. As soon as nausea starts to come on, have your child take big, full breaths to help calm their stomach.
GET SOME FRESH AIR
Try rolling down the windows or take a break and get out of the car for a bit. Fresh air can help to sooth a queasy stomach and of course stopping the car will temporarily relieve motion sickness.
SIT CLOSER TO THE FRONT
Have your child sit as close to the front of the car as safely possible. If you have 3 rows of seats, make sure anyone who gets car sick is in the middle, not the back. The back of the car is bumpier and more likely to cause motion sickness.
ENCOURAGE SLEEP
Consider taking any long car rides during nap or bed time to encourage them to sleep during the long ride.
WHAT FOODS ARE GOOD FOR MOTION SICKNESS?
Avoid eating any heavy foods that could potentially upset the stomach. Skip the sugary treats and opt for easy to digest snacks like crackers, apples or bananas.
Make sure your child is also drinking plenty of water.
WHAT CAN YOU GIVE A CHILD FOR MOTION SICKNESS?
Once you’ve made sure your travel environment is set up to best prevent motion sickness, I suggest having some natural remedies on hand in case the nausea strikes.
GINGER
Ginger is a well-known remedy for motion sickness and nausea. When taken at the onset of nausea, ginger typically works quickly for most people.
Raw ginger root is the cheapest, most potent way to get ginger into your body quickly. But it’s definitely hard to swallow and not a great choice for kids.
I prefer these natural ginger chews for kids with motion sickness. My kids love the taste and they seem to work quickly.
Or try these homemade anti-nausea lollipops from The Pistachio Project. They are completely natural and keep well in the freezer.
HOMEOPATHICS
I use homeopathic remedies for my family often, and was pleased to find this natural homeopathic specifically for motion sickness. It is safe for kids at least 6 years old and adults.
I give my car-sick likely kid one of these tablets before we hit the road. Every time I’ve given it to him before a long ride he hasn’t had any motion sickness.
ACCUPRESSURE BANDS
Sea Bands were one of the first remedies I thought of when I realized my son was having motion sickness. I used these religiously when I was pregnant for morning sickness and found they really helped.
I remember travelling on several occasions during pregnancy and could not get by without my sea bands. I was happy to find them available in a kid size so my son can also use this natural remedy.
Sea Bands work by putting pressure on a specific spot on the wrist that relieves nausea. You can learn the correct spot and do this yourself, but wearing the bands makes it much easier.
This video gives a quick explanation of how to locate the pressure point to relieve motion sickness:
ESSENTIAL OILS FOR CAR SICKNESS
Essential oils are wonderful choice for motion sickness.
Ginger and peppermint are 2 top choices for car or motion sickness, but peppermint is not recommended for kids under 8 years old.
Spearmint can be used instead, and I have found the Tummy All Better blend from Plant Therapy (kid friendly!) is a huge help for motion sickness.
I put the oil in an essential oil inhaler and keep it on hand for my kids during car rides. The tummy blend is perfect for any type of nausea, or can be put in a roller ball and rolled on the tummy as needed.
If you prefer to make your own blend, my kid safe favorite oils for motion sickness and nausea are:
I like these at equal parts, but mix to your own liking.
Get $5 off your $50 purchase at Plant Therapy with code 5OFF
MOTION SICKNESS PATCH
I found these motion sickness patches when searching for new remedies for my son, and decided to give them a try. They say they are made with herbs and all natural ingredients, although there is not a complete ingredient list available.
You place the small, round sticker behind your ear and the herbs are absorbed through your skin to help with motion sickness.
We tried this for my son on a 5 hour car ride and he did not complain of nausea at all. Although he also used the homeopathic and ginger chews during the same car ride, so I suppose the jury is out on if these work on their own or not.
They are inexpensive and appear harmless to me, so I say give them a try!
HOW TO MAKE A CAR SICK KIT FOR KIDS
I put together 5 natural motion sickness remedies that are kid friendly and made them in to a quick car-stick kit. I keep this small bag in my car for motion sickness emergencies and so we can fend off the nausea before it gets too bad.
In my motion sickness travel kit I include 5 natural remedies to relieve or prevent car sickness:
- Ginger Chews
- Sea Bands
- Hylands Motion Sickness Homeopathic
- Essential Oil Inhaler with Tummy All Better Blend
- Motion Sickness Patches
I reused a small makeup bag that wasn’t being used, which was the prefect size for this. I keep my travel bag in the car, since my son starts to get nauseous after about 30 minutes and sometimes we need a remedy even on short trips.
Do you have a kiddo that gets car sick? What are your favorite natural remedies for motion sickness?
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