Why Mother and father Are Placing Band-Aids on Their Children’ Stomach Buttons

In the event you’ve spent any time scrolling parenting reels on TikTok and Instagram that declare to show you the issues veteran dad and mom “want they knew” earlier, you’ve possible come throughout this one: sticking a criss-crossed Band-Assist (or “plaster,” because it’s known as within the U.Okay.) over your child’s stomach button to stop nausea throughout automotive rides, aircraft journey, and even boat journeys.

Whereas there’s no strong scientific proof backing the method, loads of dad and mom swear by it. Influencers together with @tsagana24 and @good.transfer.household have posted concerning the trick, with movies incomes a whole bunch of 1000’s of views.

In a single reel, Artem from @good.transfer.household shares, “This simple trick helped my child with movement illness on street journeys—simply stick a band-aid over their stomach button. Labored like a allure on our final drive.”

We turned to the specialists to search out out whether or not the stomach button Band‑Assist hack is actually value making an attempt in your subsequent journey out of city. 

Breaking Down the Stomach Button Band‑Assist Hack for Movement Illness

The hack itself is so simple as it sounds. Earlier than heading out on a visit, place two adhesive bandages in an “X” form over your child’s stomach button. The route of the position (a vertical cross versus a diagonal one) doesn’t appear to matter, nor does the dimensions of the bandaids. In truth, some dad and mom, like Jasmin of @rainbow.building even go for one giant bandage as an alternative of two smaller ones.

In one video demonstrating the hack, the momfluencer with greater than 200K followers writes, “It sounds tremendous loopy, however it completely works for each my kids…This has saved us so many instances and we do it each single time we go on an extended automotive experience.”

She even suggests it’d assist adults too, although admits she’s undecided why it really works. “It might be placebo,” she says, “however I additionally learn that the band support stimulates some acupressure factors to alleviate nausea.”

Whereas acupuncture could also be used to alleviate nausea, these factors are normally within the wrist, not the stomach. It’s additionally value noting that acupuncture depends on vital and sustained stress being utilized to a particular level on the physique, one thing {that a} common adhesive bandage can’t actually present. 

Moreover this, there’s additionally the straightforward indisputable fact that there doesn’t seem like a lot correlation between how movement illness truly works (a disconnect between what your eyes see and what your interior ear feels), and making use of an adhesive bandage to the stomach button. 

Why Movement Illness Happens

“Movement illness occurs when our ear senses movement, however our eyes are giving the enter of standing nonetheless, normally as a result of we’re studying or watching one thing on a display,” explains Ali Shehata, MD, a Las Vegas-based household and emergency doctor. “This mismatch in mind alerts causes nausea and dizziness.”

Kiara DeWitt, BSN, RN, CPN, a licensed pediatric nurse, and the founder and CEO of Injectco, agrees, including, “Critically decreasing display time throughout automotive rides eases movement illness by over 50% for most kids.”

After all, there are many different causes youngsters can get sick from automotive rides and lengthy journey days, even when they aren’t spending their time gazing screens. Since a toddler’s sensory system continues to be growing, different elements like what they’ve needed to eat or drink that day, or perhaps a lack of recent air, can all result in emotions of nausea.

So, Does the Stomach Button Band‑Assist Hack Truly Work?

The quick reply? In all probability not, no less than not in response to science. 

“From a purely medical/scientific standpoint, the usage of a Band-Assist over the stomach button is a placebo sort of remedy,” says Dr. Shehata. “It has no neurological impact and wouldn’t be anticipated to affect movement illness.”

DeWitt agrees. “To be blunt, I’d not say stomach button plasters have a sound physiological foundation for movement illness reduction,” she says. “There’s no sensory nerve cluster on the stomach button that hyperlinks on to the nausea facilities within the mind. Most definitely, it’s the placebo impact at work.”

Nonetheless, neither knowledgeable is in opposition to giving it a strive, offered it’s performed safely.

“There’s nothing unsuitable with making an attempt it as long as you retain issues clear and protected,” says DeWitt. “Use recent adhesive plasters, swap them out commonly, and keep away from utilizing them for quite a lot of hours at a stretch. Children’ pores and skin can get irritated rapidly.”

What Truly Helps With Movement Illness?

Listed here are some time-tested methods for nausea which will assist your kiddo greater than a Band-Assist on the stomach. 

• Select the fitting seat. “Strategically positioning youngsters within the automotive, like in center seats the place there’s much less movement, can cut back dizziness and nausea by as much as 30–40%,” says DeWitt.
• Lower distractions and encourage wanting exterior. “Keep away from the usage of screens within the automotive by placing tablets and telephones away, in addition to books,” advises Dr. Shehata. Encourage youngsters to look exterior and preserve them engaged with automotive video games moderately than screens.
• Attempt pure aids. “Ginger chews or drops may help, particularly if taken half-hour earlier than a visit,” says DeWitt. For older youngsters, peppermint-flavored gum or sweet also can assist ease a queasy abdomen.
• Maintain them hydrated. “Even a 2% fluid loss can mess along with your equilibrium,” DeWitt warns. Pack loads of water and easy-to-digest snacks on your journey.

In case your baby continues to battle with movement illness, particularly to the purpose of vomiting, turning pale, or avoiding automotive rides altogether, it may be time to verify in along with your well being care supplier. 

“For the uncommon few that proceed to have signs, extra testing or remedy may be wanted,” says Dr. Shehata. “Don’t hesitate to verify in along with your supplier.”