If you have little tots who don't travel well, going on holidays can become a time of dread for any parent. Travelling with your kiddos can be tough at the best of times, but when you throw in motion sickness, sick bags, and sad kids, it can make you wish you never went away in the first place!
Fret not. We're on hand to give you some top tips on how to ease disgruntled tummies, and potentially save the upholstery in your car!
Ensure a bon voyage:
1. Watch what they eat!
Sounds simple, but really, what they put in their little tummies before a trip can make a whole world of difference. Try to avoid acidic, heavy or greasy foods, even larger amounts of food, smaller bites are easier on the tummy. Just imagine the types of foods that might make a reappearance, and you've got the picture.
2. Sit central
Sitting in the middle seats of a plane, train or even in the car can be better for balance – the less motion, the better. Also, if you're travelling by train, choose forward facing seats if possible.
3. Keep your cool
Overheating is not what you need with an upset tummy. Try to keep your child cool, r
oll down the windows of a car, train or bus and ask children to sit as close as possible to a source of fresh air.
4. Stay hydrated
Make sure your child doesn't get dehydrated, try to get them to sip water, rather than gulp which will help quiet their tummy.
5. Sleep
Try and time your trip in line with their usual sleep or naps times – with a bit of luck, your child will sleep through the worst parts of the nausea or, even better, nod off before it hits.
6. Distractions
It's time to go back-to-basics by singing songs, playing car games like 'I Spy', or listening to audio books. These old-school distractions will help keep their mind off the sickness.
Music can work wonders too as it can reduce the number of pain signals travelling from the spinal cord to the brain. Try creating a playlist of their favourite music – it might not benefit your ears (sorry), but it will help unsettled tummies.
7. Screen-free
Oh, the 'nanny tablet' to occupy children during long trips – sometimes, we don't know how we get through without these, but if you have a tot who is prone to sickness, staring at a screen while moving is not the best solution for anyone. Trust us. Refer to point 6 if you need distractions!
8. Breaks
Often, the best solution is to simply stop and get off, but sometimes (like when you're 52,000ft in the air!) that is just not possible! But a walk in the aisle of a plane might work, or a proper pit-stop with plenty of fresh air and a change of scenery if you're travelling by car.
9. Pressure
Acupressure can be a go-to remedy. There are several points that can relieve motion sickness; the best known – and easiest to locate and use – are located on the inside of the wrist. Measure three finger widths up the inside of the arm, from the wrist line. Use your thumb to locate the point in the hollow between the two bones and in the middle of the tendons. Press the point firmly while breathing out, and release pressure while breathing in,. Then, repeat eight times on each wrist.
10. Travel pops
CaldeKids Travel Pops are a brilliant idea – they come in tasty apple-flavours and look like lollipops too – a brilliant distraction. Made using two natural extracts, ginger and peppermint, both of which have a positive effect on the digestive system. They are also a brilliant distraction for your child too. Just take them 30 minutes before travelling.
CaldeKids Travel Pops come in packs of three for €3.99 and are available nationwide in all good pharmacies.
