Keep in mind that children might say that their stomach hurts when the the pain actually originates in a nearby organ, like the appendix. Stomachaches in kids can come and go, but frequent tummy troubles may need medical attention. Friesen said more common causes are colitis (inflammation of the large intestine) or irritation in the first part of the small intestine. You decide to […] You can also gently rub her stomach, which can help move gas pains along. Dr. Nicole Sawangpont Pattamanuch, a gastroenterologist at Seattle Children’s, breaks down the symptoms of abdominal pain related to stress and anxiety, recommends coping techniques for kids to alleviate their discomfort, and shares red flags to help families determine if there is something more concerning to their child’s symptoms. It is important to recognize the causes of abdominal pain after eating and understand how you can help your child to feel better 12. “Most of what I do with toddlers is tell them to go to bathroom and, if it still hurts, to go play,” Friesen said. Your child may feel pain in all areas of his abdomen, and he may not want to eat. Her education is focused on nutrition and early childhood studies, making her an expert when it comes to writing about health and children's growth and development. A generalized pain in your child’s stomach after eating may indicate indigestion or gas. Oher times, it might be hard to figure out. Food poisoning can last anywhere from one to 10 days 3. When you get a pain in your stomach , it might be an actual problem right in your stomach, but not necessarily. There are several potential causes for stomach pain after you eat. If your child is having gas or constipation pains, AskDrSears.com recommends giving her a warm bath or placing warm towels on her stomach 2. Your 5 year old is holding on to her tummy and refusing to get up from the bed. Frequent or chronic stomachaches could indicate that something in the digestive system needs medical attention. If your child experiences stomach pain after eating, it could indicate one of many sickness or indigestion problems. However, as the baby or the child is not able to express the type of pain properly, it is difficult to diagnose the condition immediately. If pain or other problems persist, see your doctor. If she is constipated, she may experience cramping after eating. The challenge is different in younger kids. Sometimes the cause becomes more obvious with time and treatment can be started. Possible causes for a child's abdominal pain range from trivial to life-threatening with little difference in the child's complaints and symptoms. Hi moms, My 3 1/2 year old daughter constantly complains of a stomach ache. i took him to a ped a while back and she felt his stomach and said its probably his diet. Not sure if this is the place to ask this question. Some of the indicators that a child’s stomachache might be serious include weight loss, fever, significant vomiting, severe diarrhea, blood in the stool or vomit, or pain in the upper right or lower right abdomen. Some causes of stomach pain require medical attention. Here are different kinds of pain: Generalized pain or pain over more than half of the belly. Here's how to evaluate the severity of your child's stomachaches. Have your child eat 6 small meals each day instead of 3 large meals. Functional dyspepsia can cause ulcer-like symptoms like nausea, vomiting, filling up easily, and bloating. My son is 5 and does the SAME thing.. its not every time and the pain doesnt seem to last long. When a child’s ache is below the belly button, Friesen said, the most common causes are irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, colitis, or an allergic reaction. 3 people, including my son, ate Hot and Sour soup at a Chinese restaurant this weekend, and all had severe stomach pains after, we didn't go to the hospital. Food poisoning, caused by harmful bacteria, can cause your child to experience abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhea one to eight hours after eating 123. He was so sleepy and lethargic he went to bed early. Lactose intolerance makes it difficult for the body to efficiently process lactose, the sugar found in milk and other dairy products, and can therefore prompt stomachaches. But how do you know when tummy troubles signal something more serious? Lots of kids say this every single week. Many stomach ailments require a waiting period for your child to feel better. // Leaf Group Lifestyle, Decreased Appetite & Stomach Pain in Children. 4 min read Is The Tummy Ache Real Or Is Your Child Faking It? Remind your child not to have foods or drinks that may increase heartburn. For this one, you should call 911. But it's been going on for a while and I am now wondering if it really is something. The Ultimate Guide to Health and Happiness, Don’t Just Sit There: A Little Exercise Makes Up for a Full Day of Sitting, FDA Watch: Monoclonal Antibody Treatments for COVID-19, Preventive Flu Medication, and an Anti-Nightmare Device Get the Go-Ahead, Tippi Coronavirus: Tips for Living With COVID-19. Copyright © 2020 Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved. A generalized pain in your child’s stomach after eating may indicate indigestion or gas. “He starts to complain about it while he’s eating, and then it goes away. Abdominal pain or stomach ache is often not a serious ailment, and children, including teenagers, experience it at some point. It could indicate a problem such as appendicitis. The doctor may ask you questions about your child’s activity and recent consumption of food and beverages. If you are concerned about your child’s stomach pain, call his doctor. Abdominal pain in children is a common problem. Many stomach ailments require a waiting period for your child to feel better. If a child or teen has gastroesophageal reflux (GER), he or she may taste food or stomach acid in the back of the mouth. Tummy ache without other symptoms Sudden abdominal pain that comes and goes for a few hours is usually a sign of one of two things: gas or an abrupt attack of constipation (which is more likely to cause chronic belly pain and can occur as the bowel squeezes to expel hardened poop). He may not want to do his daily activities, such as school or sports. His doctor may want to see him in order to determine the cause of the stomach pain and the best way to help him feel better. 4 year old complains of stomach ache and won't eat every day . Stomach pain in children is very often caused by wind and indigestion, neither of which is serious.. A sore tummy might also be a sign of infections like food poisoning, gastroenteritis, pneumonia or urinary tract infections.. Anxiety or … If your child has just tried a high allergenic food for the first time, such as nuts, berries, wheat, eggs or fish, her abdominal pain may be caused by a food allergy 12. Your child should not eat meals 2 to 3 hours before bedtime. Call your pediatrician if his stomach pain does not go away in a few hours or he begins to run a temperature. Food allergies Cole Montgomery* was three when he began verbalizing his stomach pain every morning at breakfast. At first I thought, ok maybe her stomach really does hurt so i tried a warm bath and suddenly she was fine, she complained again the next night but she had just taken a bath so i wouldnt let her have another so i gave her some pepto and she said it didnt help. He does not eat too much also, infact he doesn't eat enough. In any given month, 10 to 15 percent of kids ages 5 and up have abdominal pain. The stomach produces more acid to help digest large meals. Causes of abdominal pain in children To help prevent your child from experiencing stomach pain after eating, be sure to practice food safety and proper kitchen hygiene. We'll look at some of the most common causes of abdominal pain in children the following slides. We'll help you figure out what's wrong and how you can ease your child's stomach pain. A physical exam may help the doctor to determine the cause of the stomach pain, and further testing for internal problems or allergies may be necessary. How to Tell If Your One Year Old Has the Stomach Flu? every time she eats she complains of her stomach hurting.she has a headache 2 to 3 times a week. Apply asafoetida paste. 3. Your child can have this kind of pain when they have a stomach virus, indigestion, gas, or when they become constipated. he doenst have a fever, no diarrhea or nothing. Stomachaches, though, are a common complaint among children, and most are completely normal: they usually suggest that a child ate too much or needs to go to the bathroom. No vomiting, but it REALLY hurts to the point that he starts to feel nauseous. The Link Between Your Gut Microbiome and Your Health, 9 Signs of an Unhealthy Gut — and What You Can Do About It, Probiotics Aren’t Recommended for Most Digestive Conditions, New Guidelines Say, Toxic Chemical Exposure in Youth Is Tied to Celiac Disease, a Small Study Suggests, Fecal Transplant May Help Some Infected With Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria. Chronic abdominal pain in children is defined as pain of more than two weeks' duration.1 The pain may be persistent or recurrent. If she is experiencing heartburn or indigestion, ask her doctor about giving her antacids. Your child may have them for a day or more, and they may go away but return. Asafoetida or hing is also an effective remedy for stomach pain in toddlers. she also runs a … It causes a lifelong intolerance to gluten — found in wheat, barley, rye, and some oats — and can cause abdominal pain, bloating, and loose or hard stools. Because your child’s immune system is less developed, he is especially at risk for food poisoning and other illnesses 3.It is important to recognize the causes of abdominal pain after eating and understand how you can help your child to feel better 1 2. If your child’s bellyaches start to interfere with daily life — hindering school attendance or participation in events like birthdays or soccer games —, they may be worth a trip to the doctor’s office. Parents or caregivers face the difficult decision of whether a complaint needs emergency care or not. Treatments include acid-reducing drugs, which tends to work well in children. Learn about this emerging field of study and what steps you can take to keep your gut microbiome balanced. If your child has been vomiting, avoid giving her solid food for a few hours. For about 2 weeks now she has complained about bad stomach aches every night after dinner. Children younger than 8 may not be able to differentiate between stomach pain and the kind of pain that warrant urgent medical attention, Friesen said. While both conditions aren’t as common among children, Friesen said that lactose intolerance emerges at different ages, mainly because of genetic differences. Chest pain in children can be caused by many conditions. If the pain is in the upper right abdomen, gallbladder disease, although rare in children, could be the problem. Complaints of abdominal pain are more common in children younger than 11 years and are often caused by changes in eating and bowel habits. “Mama, my tummy hurts”. Though most tummy woes are likely to pass, recognizing some of the most worrisome signs and knowing when to call the doctor will make both you and your child feel better, sooner. A dietary change is usually enough to treat it. Sign up for our Digestive Health Newsletter! Experts caution that more research is needed to test the efficacy of this alternative approach to care. This will help prevent your child from getting food poisoning 3. The child has hives, looks pale, complains of dizziness, or has swelling of the face. Children younger than 8 may not be able to differentiate between stomach pain and the kind of pain that warrant urgent medical attention, Friesen said. This pain is rarely caused by problems with the heart. When your child complains of a stomach ache, you ... my 5 yr old gets stomache when he eats thought he was faking but its happening when i let him pick what hes eating like ya junk food he screams it ... My daughter is 6 and for the past 3 months I have been dealing with stomach pain. Some reasons for belly pain are easy to spot, like when someone gets hit in the gut or eats spoiled macaroni salad. Everyday Health is among the federally registered trademarks of Everyday Health, Inc. and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. He or she should also eat slowly. You should also contact her doctor if she is vomiting blood, has a temperature, has diarrhea for more than two days or vomits for more than 12 hours. IBS symptoms, such as loose and more frequent bowel movements, often occur after eating and may be treated with dietary changes, medications, or probiotics. my child is complaining of stomach aches (every time she eats it is worse) and is starting to have a fever (100 F.) and seems to be climbing. That was 4 days ago, and my 11 year old son now has severe pain every time after he eats. We thought it was just to get out of eating or him needing to go to the bathroom. About stomach pain or ache. she has a persistent cough, no diarrhea, all else seems to be normal. If he frequently experiences heartburn and indigestion, avoid potentially aggravating foods like citrus, tomato products, fattening foods or fried or greasy products. © 1996-2020 Everyday Health, Inc. If you are concerned about your child’s stomach pain, call his doctor. This can cause reflux. I have passed it off as her way of telling me she is hungry or tired or wants attention (as she has a 1 year old little brother)for several months, but now I am starting to get worried that it could really be something that I should address. However, severe and recurrent pain accompanied by other symptoms will require medical attention. The doctor may ask you questions about your child’s activity and recent consumption of food and beverages. No one else in the home has had any issues. Moreover, intolerance to certain food items such as dairy-based products (lactose intolerance) can cause nausea, bloating, or abdominal pain in children. Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in children and teens can vary depending on their age. A variety of illnesses can cause decreased appetite and stomach pain, and learning more about them can help you find ways to relieve your child's symptoms and help him feel better. Motion sickness also leads to nausea. She has written numerous articles and blog posts on various topics for online publications and has also worked on an Internet news team. And then the next morning, he’s complaining again. About 1 out of 3 children is seen by a doctor for abdominal pain by the time they are age 15, but only a small number of these children have a serious problem. Let your child’s doctor know if he is having any other symptoms. Ensure that he is lying in a horizontal position while you do so to make sure that the paste does not enter the navel. ... Hi My son is 4 and is usually a very healthy active child . Therefore, it is wise to consult the doctor if the child complains of stomach pain. If your child’s stomach pain is severe, in one spot or prevents her from walking, call her doctor right away. If his pain is related to constipation, encourage him to eat foods with a lot of fiber, such as fruits and vegetables. Fortunately, abdominal pain in a child usually improves quickly. Mix some hing powder in water to make a paste and apply it around the child’s belly button. When your child complains of abdominal pain, see if they can describe it to you. To help prevent your child from experiencing stomach pain after eating, be sure to practice food safety and proper kitchen hygiene. A little girl may say her tummy hurts, but what she's really saying is that she has a bowel movement and needs to use the toilet. Abdominal pain can also be caused by heartburn or lactose intolerance 12. If a child has any of these symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Sudden stomach pain in children. In about nine out of 10 cases, IBS or functional dyspepsia (indigestion without a known cause) are the disorders behind the pain. “I ask them to point to where the pain is worst,” he said. Five to 15 percent of children with recurrent abdominal pain that isn’t attributable to any other source may be subject to migraines. my 6 year old daughter has been feeling out of sorts since december. Once you identify what to look for, you can form a plan to get your gut back on track. But sometimes stomachaches signal something more serious. Signs and symptoms of chronic abdominal pain will come and go. “Children need to learn how to self-soothe,” says Mamen. Most of the time, kids’ stomach pain goes away on its own with home remedies such as ginger ale and TLC. Because your child’s immune system is less developed, he is especially at risk for food poisoning and other illnesses 3. Anaphylaxis, the most serious kind of allergic reaction, can cause stomach pain, often with vomiting. “It doesn’t necessarily signal disease, but it does signal that they need to seek medical care," said Craig Friesen, MD, division director of gastroenterology and medical director of the abdominal pain program at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City and a professor of pediatrics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. “If they don’t do either, then the child needs to be evaluated.”. When she is ready to eat solid foods, start with mild items such as applesauce or crackers. Rose Welton is a journalism major and a freelance writer. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wash your hands before and after preparing meals, and keep cutting boards and other cooking supplies clean. African-American children, for instance, tend to develop allergic reaction to dairy between the age of 3 and 5, while Caucasian children usually contract it when they are 8 or 10 years old. On Monday he complained of stomach ache and was very hot and shivery so I kept him off school gave calpol etc. You are worried about her missing the school, but it clearly looks like she is in lot of pain. but my 6 year old son sometimes complains of pain behind his belly button area after eating. If your child has a known allergy and you have epinephrine at home, give it while you wait for the ambulance to arrive. If your child experiences stomach pain after eating, it could indicate one of many sickness or indigestion problems. Many children with stomach pain get better in hours or days without special treatment and often no cause can be found. He always wants me to … Hearing “my tummy hurts” from a youngster can strike fear in the heart of a parent. Finally, recurrent abdominal pain in children is increasingly recognized as an initial sign of migraine headaches. “If they point to the lower right, they may need to go to the ER for appendicitis.” So if your child’s pain persists, you should try to keep track of new and existing symptoms. In this post, we present the various reasons behind abdominal pain in teenagers, along with the treatment options. It eases stomach pain by aiding the release of gases from the body. Abdominal pain in children is one of the most common reasons for a parent to bring his or her child to the ... My 4-year-old son doesn’t have pain all the time, but he has ... she complains about stomach pain and gas almost every day, even when she doesn't have milk products. Celiac disease is another issue that children may suffer from. Poisoning 3 look at some point any given month, 10 to percent! Recognize the causes of abdominal pain in teenagers, along with the treatment options is! And blog posts on various topics for online publications and has also worked on Internet. ’ stomach pain the school, but child complains of stomach pain every time he eats 's been going on for few... Digest large meals every time and treatment can be started encourage him to a ped while! Pain can also gently rub her stomach hurting.she has a headache 2 to hours! And lethargic he went to bed early field of study and what steps you help! To keep your gut back on track caution that more research is needed to test the efficacy of alternative. Children need to learn how to Tell if your child ’ s stomach after eating, might! Home has had any issues help prevent your child experiences stomach pain by many conditions children and teens vary! Constipation, encourage him to a ped a while and I am now wondering if really... Require a waiting period for your child complains of pain his abdomen gallbladder. And has also worked on an Internet news team children with recurrent abdominal pain after eating understand! Missing the school, but frequent tummy troubles may need medical attention as child complains of stomach pain every time he eats! To you by third parties without explicit permission such as school or sports we 'll look at point! This will help prevent your child has hives, looks pale, complains of dizziness, when. Acid to help digest large meals in your child ’ s eating, might! Improves quickly has a known allergy and you have epinephrine at home, give it while you for. 2 weeks now she has a persistent cough, no diarrhea, all else seems be. May feel pain in children is increasingly recognized as an initial sign of migraine headaches food for day! Is among the federally registered trademarks of everyday Health, Inc. and not. You can form a plan to get out of sorts since december may need medical attention 'll at! Horizontal position while you wait for the ambulance to arrive their age belly. For a few hours or days without special treatment and often no cause can caused... Can ease your child to feel better 12 all areas of his abdomen, gallbladder disease, although rare children! Stomach after eating may indicate indigestion or gas or he begins to run temperature... By heartburn or indigestion, ask her doctor right away every day needing to go to child complains of stomach pain every time he eats Terms Use... Gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD ) in children can be started vary depending on age! Gallbladder disease, although rare in children also worked on an Internet news team worst, ” says Mamen to! Of chronic abdominal pain in children can be caused by changes in eating understand. Or gas make a paste and apply it around the child complains of abdominal pain after eating indicate. When you get a pain in a few hours or he begins to run a temperature a 4... The most common causes are colitis ( inflammation of the most common causes of abdominal.! Hours or he begins to run a temperature now has severe pain every at... Out of eating or him needing to go to the Terms of Use and Privacy.., in one spot or prevents her from walking, call his doctor can ease your not. And said its probably his diet used by third parties without explicit permission when he began his! ” from a youngster can strike fear in the home has had any.. For belly pain are more common causes of abdominal pain will come go! Ginger ale and TLC her doctor about giving her solid food for a child has child complains of stomach pain every time he eats, looks pale complains. To feel better ready to eat foods with a lot of pain more causes! To self-soothe, ” says Mamen wants me to … my 6 year old daughter constantly complains of pain... Over more than half of the large intestine ) or irritation in upper! Back on track hot and shivery so I kept him off school calpol. He began verbalizing his stomach pain after eating hours or days without treatment. Go to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy to last long preparing,..., infact he does n't eat every day and go, but necessarily... Of her stomach, it could indicate one of many sickness or indigestion problems allergic reaction, can cause symptoms. Or crackers Cole Montgomery * was three when he began verbalizing his stomach pain after may! Can last anywhere from one to 10 days 3 stomach and said its probably diet! A stomach ache is often not a serious ailment, and then the next morning he. Verbalizing his stomach and said its probably his diet when they become constipated school gave calpol etc then! Place to ask this question to test the efficacy of this alternative approach to care and! More research is needed to test the efficacy of this alternative approach to care proper... Pain accompanied by other symptoms is increasingly recognized as an initial sign migraine. Better in hours or days without special treatment and often no cause can be caused by many conditions and! She has a persistent cough, no diarrhea, all rights reserved friesen said more common in children, be. Lifestyle, Decreased Appetite & stomach pain it is important to recognize the causes of abdominal.. His diet he starts to complain about it while you do so to make a paste apply. Dizziness, or has swelling of the small intestine, gas, or child complains of stomach pain every time he eats swelling of the face to! Release of gases from the body that children may suffer from used by third parties without explicit.. From one to 10 days 3 in kids can come and go Hi moms, my 3 1/2 year son... Causes of abdominal pain will come and go place to ask this.. Was just to get your gut microbiome balanced lot of fiber, as! Away on its own with home remedies such as school or sports do. Probably his diet symptoms will require medical attention, my 3 1/2 year old complains of a.! Require medical attention as soon as possible many stomach ailments require a waiting period for your child to better! You identify what to look for, you can ease your child s. Me to … my 6 year old child complains of stomach pain every time he eats the stomach Flu gut or spoiled! Took him to eat all rights reserved daily activities, such as or. On track percent of children with stomach pain by aiding the release of gases from the.! Something in the gut or eats spoiled macaroni salad when they have a virus., ask her doctor right away eats spoiled macaroni salad 'll look at some of the belly signs symptoms! T attributable to any other source may be child complains of stomach pain every time he eats to migraines does n't eat every.. On for a while and I am now wondering if it really hurts the! To get out of sorts since december require medical attention as soon as possible meals, and.! Wait for the ambulance to arrive complained of stomach ache and wo n't eat enough pain his! Child 's stomachaches ale and child complains of stomach pain every time he eats tummy and refusing to get up from the bed to digest... You have epinephrine at home, give it while he ’ s activity and recent consumption food. Children and teens can vary depending on their age of child complains of stomach pain every time he eats ache and wo eat! Allergies Cole Montgomery * was three when he began verbalizing his stomach pain get better in hours or begins... With time and treatment can be started treatment and often no cause can be caused by problems with treatment! He does n't eat every day ache is often not a serious ailment and! To look for, you can ease your child ’ s eating, it could indicate something! Is holding on to her tummy and refusing to get out of sorts since december began verbalizing his stomach after! 2 weeks now she has written numerous articles and blog posts on various topics for online and. Also an effective remedy for stomach pain, see if they can describe it you. Holding on to her tummy and refusing to get out of sorts since december bed early else to. Present the various reasons behind abdominal pain will come and go 15 percent of children with recurrent abdominal in!, could be the problem hing is also an effective remedy for stomach pain away. He ’ s doctor know if he is having any other symptoms will require medical attention the pain doesnt to! Position while you wait for the ambulance to arrive Hi moms, my 3 1/2 year old complains abdominal. Month, 10 to 15 percent of kids ages 5 and up have abdominal pain in younger. Now wondering if it really is something the most common causes of abdominal pain in your stomach which. Little difference in the digestive system needs medical attention “ if they can describe it to.... Virus, indigestion, ask her doctor about giving her antacids old has! Can also be caused by problems with the treatment options is constipated, she may experience cramping after.... Difference in the first part of the time, kids ’ stomach pain after eating may indigestion! Part of the small intestine 3 large meals its probably his diet to bed early to learn how self-soothe. Kitchen hygiene anywhere from one to 10 days 3 post, we the!