How to Relieve Your Child's Stomach Ache
Some ailments are quite common in children, but others require immediate attention. So, how can you help relieve your child’s stomach ache?
If you’re a mother, you have a great responsibility when it comes to caring for and meeting the needs of your children. When they get sick, you no doubt want to do whatever it takes to make them feel better.
How can I help relieve my child’s stomach ache?
The first thing you need to figure out is the reason behind your child’s stomach ache. Before you apply any sort of treatment, you need to know if the pain has to do with indigestion, a bacterial infection or colic.
Both in these cases, as in the case of serious illness, a medical consult is always recommended.
Indigestion
If your little one has a stomach ache, then he or she may have indigestion. This occurs when children eat excessively or in a disorderly way. To help provide relief to children with indigestion, they should get some rest.
At the same time, a delicately applied massage in the abdominal area can also help children feel better. The massage should consist of circular movements.
If your children aren’t hungry, then don’t make them eat. The best thing they can do is drink clear liquids.
Bacterial infection
In the case of a bacterial infection, it’s important to consult a pediatrician. Just the same, there are several things you can do as a mother to contribute to relieving your child’s discomfort.
This includes administering plenty of liquid to keep your child from getting dehydrated from vomiting and diarrhea.
It’s best to give your child a saline solution. You can buy this or simply make it at home. Place half a tablespoon of salt and three tablespoons of sugar in a liter of water.
Colic
The best remedy for colic is a massage. Using circular movements in a clockwise fashion will produce the best results.
Another effective solution is to place a hot water bottle on your little one’s belly. Make sure to wrap it in a towel first, and soon your child will be feeling much better.
Could my child be suffering some other disorder?
If the above causes aren’t to blame, then your child may be suffering from some other issue. If that’s the case, it’s important to be attentive. Some of these problems can be serious while others are not.
Among other possible causes of stomach pain are the following:
- The presence of viral infection: This will cause your child to have a fever.
- Your child’s urine turns dark in color, and his or her skin takes on a yellowish tone: This may occur when there is trouble in the liver.
- You notice bruises on your child’s body: This is an indication that your little one’s stomach pain has to do with some bump he or she has suffered.
- The pain is located in the area around the belly button or the pit of the stomach: In this case, the pain could be the product of emotional tension.
- Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, fever, paleness or diarrhea: Clear indications of indigestion.
- Food intolerance and allergies: Issues like celiac disease and lactose intolerance, for example, can cause your child to have stomach pain and other symptoms.
“Before you apply any sort of treatment, you need to know if the pain has to do with indigestion, a bacterial infection or colic. Both in these cases, as in the case of serious illness, a medical consult is always recommended”
Home remedies to relieve your child’s stomach ache
If you’re wondering what home remedies you can offer your child in the face of stomach pain, below you’ll find several very beneficial and effective household treatments.
Infusions
An excess of acidity fills the belly with gases, which settle in and produce pain. Infusions, which are basically hot liquids, help eradicate the discomfort that gases produce.
There are all sorts of infusions you can choose from, according to your child’s preferences. Here are some suggestions:
- Mint: Mint stimulates the secretion of bile in the stomach, so it’s the perfect remedy for heavy indigestion. If your child doesn’t want to drink mint tea, there are other alternatives, such as mint candies or breath mints.
- Ginger: Ginger helps decrease abdominal bloating thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. To prepare this infusion, you just grate ginger and boil it in a small pot. Allow it to cool slightly, strain, and then serve a cup of the warm liquid to your child.
- Chamomile: This is one of the most popular home remedies, perfect for promoting good digestion. Given that chamomile is an anti-inflammatory herb, it will quickly relieve your child’s symptoms.
Chicken soup
Another question that pediatricians often hear is: “If my child’s stomach hurts, what can I give him or her to eat?” Chicken soup is a perfect, complete meal that will help your little one recover quickly.
The benefits of chicken soup are numerous. For example, it provides hydration and helps relax the muscles in the stomach. Furthermore, it offers a variety of nutrients.
A nice warm bath
This option seems too simple. However, it can be quite effective. A good bath with hot water produces relief because it helps relax the tense muscles in the abdominal region.
Furthermore, your little one will play and have fun, which will help him or her forget the pain and enjoy the moment.
If the symptoms aren’t intense or long-lasting, then there’s nothing to worry about. Your child will soon feel better.
Keep in mind the tips in today’s article, which will help you figure out the cause as well as give you ideas of how to relieve the pain. If you don’t see any improvement, then you should take your child to see a doctor.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
Aparicio Rodrigo, M., & Tajada Alegre, P. (2007). Parasitosis intestinales. Pediatria Integral. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1696-2818(11)70035-X
Amorín, M., Schelotto, F., & Gadea, M. (2008). Gastroenteritis. INSTITUTO DE HIGIENE Universidad de La República – Facultad de Medicina Montevideo – Uruguay.