“Mommy, my tummy hurts!”
How many times have you heard your child say this in the past week? Everyone has stomach pain from time to time, but the biggest question most parents have is “when is it necessary to call the doctor and what kind of doctor should we see?” If your child’s stomach pains intensify, or don’t go away, it makes good sense to call your pediatrician or a gastroenterologist, a doctor that specializes in the gastrointestinal tract.
Preventative Help
But, first here are some things to do on a regular basis to keep your children happy and their tummies healthy:
• Avoid eating or drinking three to four hours before bedtime.
• Eat small frequent meals and avoid large portions.
• Add more fiber, but not too much fiber, which can cause gas and bloating. Kids ages 1-3 need 14 grams of fiber a day, and older kids up to age 14 need 17 to 25 grams per day.
• Maintain an upright position for at least two hours after eating.
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
• Add more yogurt or a kid’s probiotic to your child’s daily diet. Probiotics help digest food and get rid of bad “gut bacteria.”
• Eliminate soda and carbonated beverages, which can cause painful bloating.
• Cut down on sugar (including fruit and fruit juices). Sugar is not easily digested and can cause gas and cramping.
• If your child is having even minor stomach pains, avoid giving them over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen (Children’s Advil, Motrin, Tylenol or others) because these can cause stomach irritation that may worsen abdominal pain.
More Tips
Here are some additional tips specifically for helping your child with common digestive issues:
• Constipation – Add more fiber (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc.); and, increase fluids, especially extra glasses of water.
• Minor Diarrhea – Cut down on sugary drinks and increase foods that add bulk such as oatmeal, bananas and bread.
If your child’s abdominal pain really worries you or if it lasts for more than a few days, it is necessary to see a doctor. Abdominal pain has many potential causes. Often, the location of the abdominal pain can provide important clues as to its severity. For instance, “generalized,” or mild, crampy pain can be caused by a stomach flu or simple indigestion. However, “localized” pain that comes on suddenly and gets worse in just one area of the abdomen can be associated with something more serious.
Neville Bamji, M.D., is a gastroenterologist at New York Gastroenterology Associates, with offices at Two Overhill Road, Scarsdale and at 311 E.79th St., New York City. The practice is affiliated with Mount Sinai Hospital. nyga.md.
