Childhood is that nonimmune phase, when most kids suffer from various health disorders. One such ailment that is most common is, toddler stomach ache. This condition can be treated with appropriate medication and proper diet…
Stomach ache is one such ailment that can affect individuals of all age groups. Stomach ache can be a very frustrating condition as it can temporarily put a stop to the daily activities. Babies and toddlers are also not spared of this ailment. In fact, it is very agonizing to watch a child, especially a baby, suffer from stomach ache.
Fortunately, unlike babies, toddlers are able to express if they have a pain or discomfort in the abdomen. The abdominal pain may be continue for a few hours but may subside after medication and rest. But it is also essential to seek medical help if the discomfort does not pass and if the child cries uncontrollably.
Some of the symptoms of toddler stomach ache are tenderness in the abdominal region, bloating, vomiting and refusing to eat. Your toddler may also cry continuously and show signs of irritability when you try to feed him. If your toddler keeps pointing towards his stomach, then you can guess there is something wrong. Observing these symptoms may indicate that the child is suffering from stomach upset.
Causes of Stomach Ache in Toddlers
One of the most common stomach ache causes in toddlers is indigestion of food. The child may tend to swallow food in a hurry without chewing it properly. This improperly chewed food may not get digested completely, forming gas and which can result in discomfort and pain.
An infection caused due to virus or bacteria can also be one of the causative factors for stomach ache in children. If the child is suffering from viral or bacterial infections like food poisoning or gastroenteritis, then it can also cause vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea.
Constipation is also one of the major reasons why toddlers may suffer from stomach ache. If the child is suffering from constipation, he may experience some amount of pain while passing motion. So in order to avoid the pain, the child may refuse to have a bowel movement. This can result in discomfort in the abdominal region.
Lactose intolerance, a change in the diet and irritable bowel syndrome are also some of the causative factors for stomach pain in toddlers. In rare cases, ulcers, appendicitis and injury in the stomach may also be some of the abdominal pain causes in toddlers.
Toddler Stomach Ache Treatment
It is very essential to get to the root cause and provide necessary remedies to relieve the symptoms of stomach pain. Sometimes, the stomach ache may not be so severe and can be cured with some simple home remedies. Given below are some simple home remedies that can cure your child’s abdominal pain.
- Give your child plenty of fluids that will help cleanse the digestive tract of any infections. Encourage the child to drink plenty of water and fruit juices at regular intervals.
- Ginger is one of the age-old stomach ache remedies for treating pain and discomfort. Taking a spoon of ginger juice or grated ginger is known to provide relief from stomach ache. But since ginger has a pungent taste, children tend to refuse taking it. So mix half a teaspoon of honey with one teaspoon of ginger juice before giving it to the child. Honey is also known to ease out the symptoms of belly pain.
- Another remedy is to give your child yogurt. Yogurt contains some active cultures which help to soothe the pain and discomfort caused due to infections. Yogurt also helps to regulate proper digestion of food.
- Mint and lemon are excellent remedies to relieve stomach pain in children. Mint has antibiotic properties and helps to eliminate the harmful pathogens from the digestive tract. Lemon, which is a rich source of citric acid also destroys the harmful bacteria and alleviates the symptoms of constipation. Give your child half a glass of lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and mint leaves to relieve stomach pain. Lemon and mint tea also triggers the production of bile which aids in proper digestion.
- You can also give your child a solution made of baking soda and warm water. This is a natural and simple method to reduce pain. But you must consult the pediatrician before trying this stomach ache cure as too much baking soda can also have adverse effects on your child’s stomach. You can even give gripe water as a remedial measure to ease the pain.
Toddler stomach ache can be a distressing factor for both the child and the parents. If your child shows any of the symptoms related to stomach ache and does recover in spite of the above remedies, visit a pediatrician who may diagnose the exact cause and provide the necessary treatment.
