Parental Tips For Handling Kids With Upset Stomachs

Children often do not understand why they don’t feel well or are even unable to describe how they are feeling. As parents, we have to probe into the matter by asking questions and unearthing what exactly has happened. Stomach pain in kids can have numerous causes. Understanding the reason for it may help you to cure it.

Ask where the pain is happening, what snack they’d secretly had if they are feeling queasy, or want to vomit – ask a lot of questions. Remember that the younger the child is, the less likely they are to be able to describe what is happening. Taking note of any change in their behaviour or daily activities is another way to find if there’s something wrong.

These are some of the common causes of stomach upsets in children:

1. Diarrhoea, or the stomach flu

2. Constipation

3. Oily or spicy food

4. Food allergies, like lactose intolerance

5. Bacteria, parasite, IBS, or other such problems

6. Appendicitis

7. Infections in other parts of the body (respiratory, ear, intestinal)

8. Stress, something that is making them worry or nervous

Just being hungry is also a probable cause of stomach pain. Check to see when and what your child last ate. Also, note if your child complains of stomach aches as they are about to leave for school.

Most of these can be treated at home, but you should know when to call the paediatrician. Call them if –

Mom calling the doctor, Credits: pixabay

1. Their pain is severe and lasts for over an hour

2. They have a fever and vomiting

3. There is constant pain on the lower right side (it could be appendicitis)

4. There is blood in the child’s stool

5. The baby is less than a year old

If these are not the case, here are some stomach pain and loose motion home remedies that you could try out. These include some Indian home remedies for stomach pain in kids. Some of them are listed below.

1. Keep your child hydrated

2. Ensure they get proper rest

3. Let them eat solid food after a while

4. Do not self-medicate

5. Heating pads

6. Make your child sit in warm water

7. Palkayam

8. Give Ayurvedic treatment for constipation.

9. Ayurvedic treatment for bloating

10. Ayurvedic treatment for acidity

11. Keep your child hydrated

Child drinking water, Credits: pixabay

If your child has had diarrhoea, drinking plenty of water and fluids will be necessary to prevent dehydration. Give them small sips initially. Eating bottle gourd is excellent to help the body hydrate after diarrhoea.

1. Ensure they get proper rest

Child taking rest, Credits: pixabay

Make your child lie down and get rest. They must do so that their body can heal. Resting can help them feel better while also strengthening the child’s body from inside.

1. Eat solid food after a while

If they have vomited out what they ate, their stomach will be empty. Having an empty stomach for too long will lead to gas. Feed them mild food that won’t upset their stomach further.

1. Do not self-medicate:

Do not give your child counter-top medicine and stomach pain tablet on your own. A lot of them may increase the pain.

1. Heating pads

Place a heating pad on your child’s stomach. The warm compress often relieves the pain by promoting blood circulation throughout the body.

1. Make your child sit in warm water.

Child taking a hot bath, Credits: pixabay

If you think your child could be constipated, seat them in warm water to help release the stool and to help ease the pain. Passing of stool may make them feel okay.

1. Palkayam:

Palkayam is a variety of asafoetida, or hing, which when mixed with a drop of honey can be used to relieve stomach ache in children.

1. Ayurvedic treatment for constipation

Give your child a ripe banana after dinner and then either a glass of hot milk/water. It will help with constipation. You could also give them a mix of ghee (1 tsp), salt (½ tsp), and hot water (¼ cup) an hour after dinner to remove any possible bacterial formation and help with better digestion.

1. Ayurvedic treatment for acidity

Buttermilk aids digestion and removes the formation of acid reflux, but be sure to check if your child is not lactose intolerant. Another way is by chewing either fennel seeds (saunf), tulsi leaves (basil), or clove. These increase saliva production in the mouth and balance the acidity.

1. Ayurvedic treatment for bloating

A mix of warm water with either fennel seeds or ginger and honey is an excellent way to reduce bloating. Add 1 tsp of either in a cup of boiling water for its best effect.