Nick Logan Keeping Children Happy and Healthy on Holidays Interview

Nick Logan Keeping Children Happy and Healthy on Holidays Interview

Travelling with kids can be daunting. It's already stressful – add travel sickness to the mix and it's enough to turn any parent off travelling for good. But more than anyone, parents deserve their time away. Help is at hand, Australia's number one travel sickness prevention brand Kwells® will launch Kwells® Kids, the first travel sickness prevention medicine designed specifically for children under the age of 12.

'There is no product specifically for this age range and, as such, parents may be going without and taking the risk of sick kids," said Kirsten Impey, Communications Manager, Kwells Kids.

Last year, there were more than 2.5 million children aged between 4-12 living in Australia and this group is particularly prone to travel sickness. Children in this age bracket often experience the unsettling symptoms of motion sickness: nausea, vomiting, dizziness (vertigo) and sweating.

'The key to overcoming travel sickness is to treat before you travel. Kwells® Kids has been designed to be taken 30 minutes before travelling or as soon as the early signs of nausea kick in. Don't leave it till you're on the boat or midway through the road trip. Kwells® Kids works by preventing travel sickness from occurring in the first place," said Kirsten Impey, Communications Manager, Kwells® Kids.

Staying true to the original Kwells®, the new tablets can be chewed, sucked or swallowed, making them easy for children to consume.

Other tips for preventing children's travel sickness:
Focus child's attention elsewhere, e.g. out of the window, on the horizon where practical
Discourage reading or computer games while travelling
Avoid unnecessary head movements by using pillows or a headrest
If travelling by car, seat the child near the front of the vehicle, that is, middle rather than third row in a larger vehicle
If flying, sit over the aeroplane wing where the ride tends to be less bumpy
Have your child recline as much as possible
Feed your child a light snack before travelling – avoid heavy, greasy meals
Avoid overheating. Ensure ventilation either from open window or air conditioning
Try to keep them calm – motion sickness is more likely to happen if a child is worried about having an episode

Kwells® Kids is available in pharmacies across the country. RRP is $8.79.

Interview with Nick Logan

Question: Why is it important parents are prepared when travelling with children?

Nick Logan: By its nature travel sickness slows drug absorption so it is sensible to prevent symptoms from occurring rather than treating them after the fact. Preventing an episode of travel sickness means a much better start (or finish) to a trip for the whole family.


Question: Why do children get travel sickness?

Nick Logan: Motion sickness is a normal response to abnormal stimulation. Conflicting balance and vision feedback from the vibration and confinement results in travel sickness symptoms especially in the 2-12 year age group. The affliction may resolve in adulthood probably because it is easier to focus out the window when you are taller.


Question: Why is Kwells® Kids a great way to prevent travel sickness?

Nick Logan: Kwells® Kids is a safe and effective product for children over 2 years of age which can help you avoid the onset and ramifications of motion sickness.


Question: What are the signs and symptoms of travel sickness?

Nick Logan: Typically the onset of travel sickness begins with pallor and sweating and is followed by nausea and vomiting and eventually sleepiness.


Question: What are your top tips for traveling with young children?

Nick Logan: Ear pain and air travel– If you're child has an ear infection, I would probably advise delaying any flights until the infection has cleared. Ears that already hurt might hurt even more when the plane takes-off and lands. A good way to minimise ear pain caused by air pressure changes, particularly when taking-off and landing is to use specifically designed pressure-regulating ear plugs. You'll find these in most community pharmacies.
Prevent travel sickness – The key to preventing motion sickness is to treat before you travel. There's a new travel prevention medicine now available for children under the age of 12; it's called Kwells® Kids and it's been designed to take 30 minutes before travelling or as soon as the early signs of nausea kick in. Don't leave it till you're on the boat or midway through the road trip.

Plane dehydration – The air on board a plane is much drier which can easily trigger dehydration in children and cause headaches. Remind children to sip their drinks throughout the flight to keep them hydrated.

Pregnant mums and travel – The second trimester of pregnancy is the best time to travel. Morning sickness could thwart your travel plans in the first trimester and airlines are unwilling to carry women in the third trimester due to the risk of premature labour. Always check restrictions with the airline prior to booking.


Question: What other medication is vital to pack, when traveling with kids?

Nick Logan: Other items suitable for a kids travel pack would include roll-on insect repellant, sunscreen, a rehydration product, paracetamol or ibuprofen in case of pain or fever.


Interview by Brooke Hunter