Travel Sickness

If you’ve ever had a child feel unwell in the car, you’re not alone - car sickness is a common issue, and it can feel especially frustrating if you’re doing everything right with car seat safety. One of the most frequent questions we hear is: “Is rear-facing making my child car sick?”

The good news is: it’s probably not.

According to leading car seat manufacturers and child safety experts, car sickness isn’t typically caused by the direction of travel. Axkid explains that “carsickness is a sensory conflict between the organs of balance and the eyes,” and that some people are naturally more prone to it, regardless of whether they’re facing forwards or backwards (Axkid, 2018).

BeSafe agrees: “Children who suffer from travel sickness will often feel unwell regardless of whether or not they sit facing forwards or backwards” (BeSafe, 2019).

So what’s actually going on?

Car sickness happens when the brain receives mixed signals from what your child’s body is doing (sitting still) and what their inner ear senses (movement). This conflict can trigger nausea, and it can affect adults too - not just kids.

The important thing to remember is this: facing forward might feel like a solution in the moment, but it doesn’t solve the root cause, and may compromise safety if a child is turned too soon. Extended rear-facing is still by far the safest way for young children to travel.

What can help with car sickness?

If your little one struggles with travel sickness, here are some gentle, practical strategies you can try - many families find that small changes make a big difference:

• Blacking out windows to reduce visual motion

• A more upright seating position (some car seats allow this)

• Limiting food and drink for an hour before travel

• Avoiding screens or focused activities in the car

• Encouraging naps during the journey for younger children

• Keeping the car cool with air flow or AC

• Cracking a window slightly - too much airflow can overwhelm the senses

• Cooling the car before setting off

• Motion sickness wristbands

• Frequent stops to reset their system

• Removing the vehicle seat headrest to allow a better outside view

• Engaging distractions like I-Spy or nursery rhymes instead of screens

• A small snack beforehand like toast or gingerbread (never while driving due to choking risk)

• Small sips of iced water

• Natural remedies like ginger

• Some antihistamines can be used in children - check with your GP or pharmacist first, especially for children under 2

Most importantly, if you’re unsure, speak to your child’s healthcare provider. There are licensed medications for children over 1 year, and even more options available after age 2.

Car sickness can be tough to deal with, especially on longer journeys, but rest assured that rear-facing isn’t likely to blame. With some trial and error (and plenty of patience), most families find a combination that works - all while keeping their child safe and secure in the safest position possible.