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Your Child’s Stomach: 5 Things Every Parent Should Know
Up to 15% of children experience persistent stomach pain, sometimes accompanied by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, diarrhea, or something else. If your child complains of abdominal pain, don’t brush them off.
Schedule a same-day sick visit with the board-certified specialists at Millennium Pediatrics in Naperville, Illinois, to determine the root cause of your child’s stomach discomfort and how to best address it.
Symptoms of stomach problems in kids
Several symptoms can indicate a problem with your child’s abdominal organs, an illness, or digestive disturbances:
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Pain when going to the bathroom
- Bloating
- Gas
- Constant stomach discomfort
- Stomachache after eating certain foods
It’s helpful to pay attention to your child’s symptoms and report them to your pediatrician to determine the root cause and ways to eliminate their discomfort.
5 things to know about stomachs in children
It’s helpful for parents to keep in mind the following information to optimize your child’s gastrointestinal health, nutrition, and overall well-being.
1. Kids should eat every few hours
Children grow and develop at a rapid pace, which is why proper nutrition is critical. Eating a meal or snack every few hours ensures that kids avoid being too hungry or overly full. Their stomach is small, which is why eating frequently is highly beneficial.
Aim for three meals plus snacks in between — and offer healthy, whole foods over processed foods to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Ask your child’s pediatrician about taking a multivitamin or other supplements.
2. A child’s stomach can be sensitive
Food sensitivities, allergies, and intolerances can wreak havoc on your child’s gut health and cause bothersome symptoms like gas, bloating, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
Common foods kids can be sensitive to include gluten, milk, peanuts, sugar alcohols, additives, and other chemicals in foods. An elimination diet and food allergy testing can help you and your pediatrician determine which foods your child should limit or avoid.
If your child struggles with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), encourage them to eat small, frequent meals and limit or avoid acid foods like soft drinks, tomato-based products, citrus juices, and spicy foods.
3. Vomiting and diarrhea can become dangerous
Even the most minor stomach bugs that cause vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dangerous dehydration or electrolyte imbalances. If your child is sick, it’s vital for them to drink a lot of water, electrolyte beverages, soups, juices, and other fluids. Make sure they get plenty of rest, and contact your Millennium Pediatrics provider if their symptoms are severe or ongoing.
4. Constipation is a common problem
Constipation is a common concern in kids. In fact, about 1 in 20 pediatric doctor’s visits are related to constipation that can be painful and sometimes lead to dangerous complications. If your child doesn't have a bowel movement at least several times weekly, strains during bowel movements, or has painful or difficult-to-pass stools, check in with our team.
Encourage your child to eat high-fiber foods to reduce the risk of constipation. Examples include fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, peas, beans, and whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice, and quinoa.
5. Many stomach concerns warrant a medical evaluation
Know when it’s time to seek medical attention for a stomach concern. Anytime your child has severe or ongoing pain, it could indicate a problem requiring medical intervention.
For example, sudden pain in their lower right abdomen may indicate appendicitis. Recurring stomach aches could be the sign of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), food allergies or intolerances, parasites, or celiac disease. Stress and anxiety can also cause GI distress and abdominal discomfort.
Call Millennium Pediatrics at any time when you have questions about your child’s stomach. You can make an appointment by phone or online to have our specialists evaluate your child for underlying causes of ongoing or painful stomach problems.