How to Treat Stomach Pain in Young Children

When your child isn't feeling well, you'll surely want to do everything possible to make them more comfortable. Stomach pain is a common issue that can have various causes. You can help alleviate your child's discomfort by eliminating emergency situations, comforting them, and using natural pain-relief methods.

Know when to call a doctor. Sometimes, stomach pain can be severe or indicate an underlying health condition. In these cases, your child will exhibit several symptoms. Contact a doctor immediately if your child shows any of the following signs:

• Persistent pain on the right side of the abdomen (appendicitis symptom)
• Pain localized to a specific area of the abdomen
• Severe or rapidly worsening pain
• Pain lasting longer than 24 hours
• Pain when pressing on the abdomen
• Abdominal swelling
• Abdomen feels hard to the touch
• Pain or swelling in the groin (including the testicles)
• Pain during urination
• High fever
• Frequent vomiting or diarrhea; inability to retain fluids
• Blood in stool/vomit or rectal bleeding
• Recent injury to the abdominal area

Know when to call a Poison Control Center. Stomach pain can also be caused by ingesting something harmful, such as chemicals, medications, cleaning products, or other dangerous substances. If your child has recently swallowed something potentially toxic (or you suspect they have), contact a Poison Control Center. In the U.S., you can reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers at (800) 222-1222. Some signs that your child may have ingested a toxic substance include:

• Unexplained vomiting or diarrhea
• Chest pain
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Unusual stains on clothing
• Paralysis
• Chills
• Fever
• Burn marks on lips, mouth, or skin
• Excessive drooling
• Foul-smelling breath
• Difficulty breathing

Distract your child from the pain. Movies, stories, and board games can help your child forget about the stomach ache. Try to keep them entertained while waiting for the pain to subside.

Let your child take a warm bath. Warm water can help your child relax and feel more comfortable. A bath can also be a fun activity! You can add some bubbles and toys to the water to distract them from the stomach pain for a while.

Encourage your child to drink water. If it’s not an emergency, your child’s stomach pain might simply be caused by mild dehydration. Encourage your child to drink more water. To make it more appealing, you can add some fruit (like watermelon or orange) to the water for flavor.

Give your child bland foods. Bland foods can help absorb excess acid in your child’s stomach. A slice of whole-grain bread is an excellent option; crackers or white rice can also be effective.

Give your child chicken broth. Chicken broth (especially made from chicken bones) is a light, nutritious, and easily digestible food. Warm liquids can also have a soothing effect. Especially when your child doesn’t feel like eating, you can provide hydration and nutrients through chicken broth.

• If your child doesn’t like chicken, you can substitute with vegetable broth.

Comfort your child. Sometimes, a hug and a kiss are the most effective remedies! If your child feels loved and supported during times of illness, they will be less likely to experience negative feelings. Gently comfort your child to help them feel at ease and calm.

Encourage your child to rest. Children need rest to recover and get better. You can have them press a pillow against their stomach, cuddle them on the couch, or lie next to them while gently rubbing their tummy.

• Have your child lie on their side if they appear to be bloated.

Have your child chew papaya, ginger, or spicy mint tablets. Papaya, ginger, and spicy mint are excellent for soothing stomach aches. These chewable tablets are available at health stores and resemble candy, with a pleasant taste that your child might enjoy.

• Always read the instructions on the packaging to know how many tablets to give your child each day. Also, ensure your child is old enough to safely chew these tablets.

Brew soothing stomach tea. Ginger and mint are also available in tea form. These warm beverages will quickly help ease stomach discomfort. Prepare a cup of warm ginger or mint tea for your child. You can add a little honey if your child enjoys the flavor of honey.

• Do not add white sugar to the tea, as sugar may worsen your child’s condition.
• Do not add honey if your child is under 2 years old. Their digestive system is not fully developed, and honey can cause a serious illness called infant botulism.

Consider giving your child anti-stomach pain medicine. Stomach pain medicine is a product used to relieve stomach aches and discomfort in infants, and it can also be effective for older children. The main ingredient is fennel oil, which is useful for treating bloating, fullness, or stomach discomfort. Avoid medicines that contain sweeteners (sucrose) or alcohol.

Place a warm compress on your child’s stomach. The warmth can help relax the abdominal muscles and reduce discomfort. You can use a heating pad (on a low setting) or warm a towel in the microwave to apply to their stomach.

Massage your child’s stomach. Gently massaging your child’s stomach in circular motions can help ease their discomfort and relax their abdominal muscles. Continue for 5-10 minutes, avoiding fast movements and not pressing too hard.