TUMMMY PAIN

Tummy aches are a frequent complaint in children, especially kids age 5 and younger. Fortunately, a stomach ache is usually nothing serious. For example, if your child is being potty trained and his tummy hurts, he may need to go poop. Or if he just had supper and has no other symptoms, he simply might have eaten too much.

But your child's tummy ache could also be from an illness or a digestive problem. Call his doctor if the pain doesn't go away or gets worse. Here are some other common – and not so common – causes of stomach aches in children.

1) Constipation

Constipation is the most common stomach problem in young children, and the pain is often felt in the lower belly area. If you notice that your child is having bowel movements less frequently, especially if it's been four or more days and she's uncomfortable when she does have one, she's probably constipated. Another sign is dry, hard stools that are difficult for her to pass.

What to do: Make sure your child gets plenty of fluids throughout the day. And on the days when she seems constipated, feed her foods that produce looser stools (like oatmeal, apricots, pears, prunes, and peas), and cut back on foods that tend to cause firmer stools (like bananas, apples and applesauce, carrots, rice, and squash).

If your child still has trouble pooping, talk to her doctor about treatment options. He may prescribe an over-the-counter stool softener, a lubricant (such as mineral oil), a suppository, or even a laxative if your child is very constipated. Only give your child a laxative or other over-the-counter medicines if her doctor recommends it because they can cause harmful side effects if not given properly.

2) Gas pain

Intestinal gas is another common cause of a tummy ache.

What to do: Offer your child a high-fiber diet and plenty of water, and establish a bathroom routine that involves having him sit on the potty for up to five minutes a few times a day (such as after meals). Your child's gas pain could be an accumulation of too much stool in the colon. This is especially common in toddlers, who may not be able to poop completely during a bowel movement.

It may help to eliminate the food that's triggering your child's gas, so make a note of what your child recently ate whenever he has a bout of gas. One possibility is too much juice. Many juices – including apple juice and cherry juice – contain sorbitol, a nondigestible form of sugar that causes gas.

For an older child, gas relief drops (such as Mylicon or Little Remedies) can help. Don't give these drops to a toddler, however, because the main reason for their gas is often an inability to poop completely. This is related to muscle development, not what he's eaten.

Call the doctor if your child complains of a stomach ache several times a day for more than three consecutive days, or if he has other symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or fever.

What can cause Stomach Pain in a Child?

Constipation is a common cause of abdominal pain in children. Some more serious causes of abdominal pain in children include appendicitis, lead poisoning, or problems with the intestines, such as intussusception or malrotation. Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is a condition that affects children ages 4 to 11.

What do you give a child with a Stomach Ache?

Try the following, one at a time in the order listed, if your child has mild abdominal pain without other symptoms:

1. Have your child rest when he or she has mild stomachaches.
2. Have your child sip clear fluids, such as water, broth, tea, or fruit juice diluted with water.
3. Have your child try to pass a stool.

How do you stop a Child from throwing up?

If your child has just vomited, wait 30 to 60 minutes before giving fluids and then start with small amounts. Avoid giving your child solid food for the first 24 hours after the vomiting starts. Instead, give him clear fluid in small, frequent doses (every 5 minutes) by spoon or bottle.

How do you know if your Child has appendicitis?

Call the doctor immediately if your child shows symptoms of appendicitis, including:

1. significant abdominal pain, especially around the bellybutton or in the lower right part of the abdomen (perhaps coming and going and then becoming consistent and sharp)
2. low-grade fever.
3. loss of appetite.
4. nausea and vomiting

What does the pain of Appendicitis feel like?

Blockage may also occur from infection, since the appendix can swell in response to any infection in the body. The classic symptoms of appendicitis include: Dull pain near the navel or the upper abdomen that becomes sharp as it moves to the lower right abdomen. Nausea and/or vomiting soon after abdominal pain

What helps Child with Constipation?

If your child is older than 6 months, add fruit juices, such as apple, pear, or prune juice, to relieve the constipation. After age 6 months, give 0.5 Tbsp (7 mL) to 2 Tbsp (30 mL) of prune juice. Increase the amount slowly over time. At age 9 months, add 1.5 Tbsp (22 mL) to 3 Tbsp (45 mL) of strained prunes per day.

What can I give my toddler for Constipation?

Boost your child's fiber intake. Give her plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Offer apricots, plums, peas, beans, broccoli and, of course, prunes. If she doesn't like the taste of prunes, try adding prune juice to her milk: Just 1 ounce of prune juice in half a cup of milk is very effective.

When to Call a Doctor

Call your child’s doctor immediately if your child has any of the following:

• Persistent pain on the right side of the abdomen, which could be an appendicitis
• Pain confined to one part of the abdomen
• Severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain or pain that doesn’t go away within 24 hours
• Pain or tenderness when you press on the belly
• A swollen abdomen or an abdomen that is rigid to the touch
• Pain in the groin, or pain or swelling in a testicle
• Unexplained fever
• Lots of vomiting or diarrhea
• Bleeding from the rectum
• Blood in the stool or vomit
• A recent abdominal injury