Motion sickness

What It Means

Motion sickness is the sick feeling that the movement of a car, boat, plane or train can bring on. CDC's Yellow Book says children under 2 don't usually get it, that it's most likely between ages 7 and 12, and that it becomes less common through adulthood. Where you sit, what you look at and what you eat all make a difference, and CDC advises trying those steps before any medicine.

How People Say It

• "He gets carsick if he reads in the back."
• "Crack the window and look at the horizon, buddy."
• "Let's stop for five minutes before she's sick."

The Breakdown

How to prevent it

1. Choose the seat. CDC suggests the front of a car or bus for adults, or a window seat on a plane or train. Children ride in the back seat in the right car seat or booster, as NHTSA advises, so for them the tip is a window view and the horizon.
2. Keep eyes on the horizon, or let them close their eyes, lie back or nap if they can.
3. Offer small amounts of food often and sips of water.
4. Give the mind something else to do, such as music or an audio storyUser storyA short description of something a product should do, written from the point of view of the person who needs it, often in the form "As a, I want, so that." See more.
5. If these aren't enough, ask the child's doctor about medicine before the trip.

Try it today. On the next drive, put on an audio story and point out things far ahead on the road.

Who gets it most

Good to Know

CDC's Yellow Book says behavioral steps come first and that motion sickness medicine should be used with caution in children. Some of these medicines aren't recommended for children at all, CDC's traveler page adds, so ask the child's doctor which one, if any, and the right dose. Medicine works best when it's taken before the trip, not after the queasiness starts. If you're worried about how a child is coping, call their doctor, and call 911 in an emergency.

Related Terms and Categories

• Flying with a baby

  Air travel with a child under 2, which starts with one choice: a lap infant on an adult's lap, or a ticketed seat with an FAA-approved car seat.

• Jet lag in kids

  The mismatch between a child's body clock, still on home time, and the clock where they've landed after crossing time zones, which can upset their sleep.

• Packing list

  A written list of everything to bring on a trip, ticked off as each item goes in a bag so nothing important gets left behind.

• Travel insurance

  A policy bought for a trip that can repay prepaid costs if you cancel for a covered reason, and pay for medical care or evacuation while away.

• Beach day checklist

  A list of what to pack and do for a safe day at the beach with kids: sun protection, water, life jackets, a lifeguarded spot and an adult watching at all times.

Travel and outings with kids