Kid-Friendly Nausea Remedies: Safe Options for Your Little Ones

That queasy, unsettled and sometimes hard to describe feeling known as nausea is your child’s body’s way of signaling that vomiting or stomach upset might be following. It’s uncomfortable, but also a common symptom that has many causes, most of which are temporary and manageable. 

Understanding Nausea in Children

Nausea in kids can happen for a lot of reasons. The most common reasons kids feel nauseated include:

• GI infections:  A “stomach bug”, such as norovirus, is the most common cause of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in children
• Food poisoning: If your child eats something that’s spoiled or contaminated, their body might respond with nausea and vomiting to expel it.
• Food allergies: Sometimes nausea comes with other symptoms like an itchy, red rash or swelling around the lips, eyes, or face. Always treat these as serious warning signs and get your child medical care, especially if it’s a new reaction.
• Overeating: Sometimes nausea can happen when a child eats too quickly or enjoys a little too much of rich or sugary foods.
• Motion sickness: When the inner ear senses movement differently than what the eyes see (as in a car or on a plane), nausea can follow.
• Anxiety and stress: Children often don’t have the words to identify their feelings. When big, stressful things happen, their bodies can react in an odd way, sometimes triggering nausea.
• Medication side effects: Some prescriptions can upset a child’s stomach.
• Chronic conditions: Ongoing issues like migraines, IBS, or Crohn’s disease can trigger repeated nausea.
• Hormonal changes: During puberty, hormone fluctuations can make nausea and migraines more common.

Gentle, Non-Medicated Ways to Soothe Nausea

Start your child’s nausea treatment with comfort and calm. Many mild causes of nausea can be eased at home:

• Rest and quiet: Create a peaceful, dim environment to help your child rest and relax.
• Bland foods:  Offer gentle options like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (the classic BRAT diet).
• Hydration: Give small sips of clear liquids: water, electrolyte replacement drinks or oral rehydration solutions, sports drinks or ice chips. This helps replace lost fluids and prevents dehydration.
• Fresh air & movement breaks: If motion sickness is the culprit, open a window, or take regular breaks on long car rides.  Anti-motion sickness glasses can also help by stabilizing what your child’s eyes see.
• Ginger: Ginger chews, teas, or naturally flavored gummies are a time-tested way to help calm upset tummies.
• Acupressure: Try gently pressing on the groove between the two large tendons on the inside of your child’s wrist (just below the palm) to help relieve nausea. 

What Medicine or Dietary Supplements Help with Nausea for Kids?

If nausea lingers or keeps coming back, you may be wondering what medicine or dietary supplement might help your child’s symptoms. Always check with your child’s pediatrician before giving any medication or dietary supplement, especially for little ones under age 6.

One gentle option to consider is  Advanced Herbals® Kids Gummies, from the makers of Dramamine®. They:

• Are formulated with ginger extract for non-drowsy, non-medicated nausea relief.
• Are designed for kids ages 6 and up.
• Come in great-tasting strawberry and ginger flavor that kids enjoy.
• Help relieve nausea or stomach upset from motion sickness without causing sleepiness.

Most cases of nausea and vomiting will ease within 12 hours. If your child can’t keep any fluids down, shows signs of dehydration (dry mouth, few wet diapers, or dark urine), has severe stomach pain, blood in vomit or nausea lasting longer than a day, reach out to their pediatrician. For more serious or persistent nausea, your child’s doctor may prescribe an antiemetic, a medication specifically meant to prevent vomiting and help settle the stomach.

Helping Your Little One Feel Better 

Most of the time, nausea is just a temporary bump in the road. With rest, hydration, and a few gentle remedies, your little one will be back to feeling like themselves in no time.

Quick Tip: If your child is prone to motion sickness, a little preparation can make every trip smoother. Keep these essentials in a designated “on the go” bag:

• Water bottle or electrolyte drink
• Light snacks (pretzels, crackers or dry cereal)
• Travel tissues, wipes and pet or diaper waste bag
• Extra clothes and a resealable bag
• Cooling wipes or a small fan
• Anti-motion sickness glasses
• Advanced Herbals® Kids Gummies, from the makers of Dramamine®

Get more information and tips on motion sickness on our blog. A little prep can go a long way in keeping your next road trip or flight worry-free.