Ways to minimise travel sickness.

[GrouchyKiwi]

We're driving up to the north of Scotland at the weekend. I'm expecting there to be some winding roads. All three of my children (aged 2, 4 an 6, as this is relevant) get travel sick. We have over the counter medication that the older two can take but what can we do for the youngest? She doesn't like ginger biscuits.

And what sorts of foods are good for settling stomachs? Maybe toast for breakfast?

We recently travelled long-haul and the children made sure at least one of them threw up on each leg of the flights. It was joyous.

The wrist bands are good.

Thank you! I forgot about those. Pharmacist recommended them when we were in NZ but they were really expensive there.

I feel for you all! I used to vomit the moment the car was out of the drive as a child. I still suffer now. It may sound counter-intuitive, but make sure they travel on a full stomach. My travel sickness is far worse when I am hungry. Try to get them to look out of the front window, rather than the side. I appreciate that's not easy for the children on the side. No books whatever you do! Reading is a sure fire way of guaranteeing queasiness! Maybe try seat-back DVD players? Good luck!

Thanks Watto1. What kind of food would you recommend? When we last drove any distance the children had porridge for breakfast about 1 hour before we set off. All three vomited (one after the other, like dominoes) not even half an hour into our trip! Poor wee things.

I'd say something starchy. Not too fatty. I like a ham/chicken sandwich or similar with maybe some crisps.

We always avoided milk on the advice of dsil who has much older dc.

I get travel/seasick and find I'm better with dry or 'crunchy' food - plain bread rolls, toast, bread sticks, apples, carrots, cucumber, crispy lettuce, etc. It could all be placebo affect but it works and I agree with pp that it's better with food than on an empty stomach.

On coach trips with children we have the special paper to sit on and the special forehead wipe but that might not work in your own car with your own children

Oh and collect sick bags whenever you fly/catch a ferry/see them as they take up no space in the seat pockets and are very good at not leaking.

I realise this is not a preventative and could be seen as defeatist but having tested 3 myself recently I can vouch for their sturdiness!

Thanks for food advice. I'll give them toast for breakfast, then, and crisps as car snacks.

PhannyMcNee Heh, yes, we discovered how excellent aeroplane sick bags are!

I just wanted to say thank you for the advice. There and back we had no sickness. It was such a relief!

That's brilliant! Glad you had uneventful journeys!