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Motion Sickness in Children

Motion sickness is nausea, dizziness or vomiting that develops during travel or other movement. It happens when the brain receives conflicting information about motion from the eyes, inner ears and body.

Cars, boats, airplanes, amusement rides and other repetitive movement can trigger motion sickness. Some children are more sensitive to these motion signals than others.

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AAP Guide to Motion Sickness in Children

The AAP guide below explains prevention, what can help during travel and when repeated symptoms need a closer look.

AAP Symptom CheckerMotion sickness

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When to see a doctor

Contact your pediatrician or another healthcare professional if:

  • Symptoms happen when your child is not traveling or moving.
  • Motion sickness is severe or happens very frequently.
  • Your child develops hearing changes, severe headache, weakness or other neurologic symptoms.
  • You are unsure whether motion is causing the symptoms.

Call 911 or get emergency care if:

  • Your child develops severe neurologic symptoms, collapse or another life-threatening emergency.

Talk to a nurse now, at any hour

When can my child be seen

Be seen today.

Every office keeps same-day appointments for illness and injury.

This evening or at the weekend.

Most offices run After Hours Care, by appointment rather than walk-in.

If you are worried, call. We would rather answer a question that turns out to be nothing.

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See the rest of this group and all 164 symptoms