04/10/2021
Home Remedies for Stomach Ache in Children
1. Breastfeed. Babies delicate digestive systems are more receptive to breast milk than formula, and breast milk also contains antibodies that prevent infection. Make sure that baby has a proper latch to prevent him from swallowing excess air. Burp baby after every feeding to let out trapped air.
2. Try baby exercises. Let your baby spend as much time on his tummy as possible. The gentle pressure on his abdomen will relieve any gas soothe pain. You can also lay baby on his back and move his legs back and forth, like riding a bicycle. This movement also helps to let out any trapped gas.
3. Follow age recommendations for food. When starting solids, follow all age recommendations strictly. Avoid cow’s milk, sugar, salt and honey before the age of one. Skip the store bought gripe water – try a homemade one instead.
4. Try a rocking motion. Gentle repetitive motions like rocking or swinging help soothe colic pains. Some babies feel good lying on a running washing machine or when being carried around in a vehicle.
5. Let the child rest. In many cases, just lying down relieves the tummy pain. Apart from letting the child rest, rubbing his tummy or distracting him with books or stories also helps.
6. Try the Pawanmuktasana. Pawanmuktasana, also called the gas releasing pose, is a great way to soothe stomach pain due to gas. Lie down flat on the back and lift the legs at a 90 degree angle from the hip. Bend both knees and bring the thighs against the abdomen, using the hands to press them closer to the body.
7. Use a hot water bottle. Place a hot water bottle or a heating pad on the tummy when lying down. Heat helps increase blood flow to the surface of the skin, taking away from the pain inside the abdomen. Make sure the pad or bottle is not too hot.
8. Put your child on the potty. In many cases, a trip to the toilet may solve the problem. Ask your child to try pooping. If the stool is too hard, try having him sit in some warm water.
9. Offer lots of fluids. Dehydration is both a cause of stomach pain as well as an effect of it, particularly in cases like diarrhea. Lots of fluids at regular intervals is the answer. For babies under six months, breastfeed on demand. For older children, avoid dairy products or drinks with caffeine. Choose clear fluids like water, broth or diluted fruit juice.
10. Make ginger tea. Ginger contains gingerol, which reduces nausea and vomiting. Ginger also contains anti inflammatory properties that neutralize stomach acids and relieve pain. Boil 1 cup of water with 1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger for 5 minutes and steep for 10 minutes. Strain before drinking.
11. Try peppermint tea. Peppermint is known to calm the stomach muscles and increases the flow of bile, a digestive liquid. Boil a few fresh mint leaves in a cup of water. Cool and strain before drinking.
12. Make chamomile tea. Chamomile is anti-inflammatory and relaxes the digestive muscles. It helps relieve cramps and promotes better movement of food through the digestive tract. Make the tea using one tea bag per cup of water.
13. Offer rice water. Rice water, also called rice tea or rice soup, is the water leftover from cooking rice and has been used traditionally as a remedy for diarrhea. Rice water contains compounds that relieves stomach pain. Based on the child’s preferences, add some salt or honey to the rice water.
14. Give bland foods. Spicy and greasy foods can worsen stomach pain and accompanying symptoms, so choose bland foods like dry toast, crackers or rice. These are more easily digestible and don’t irritate the stomach like spicy foods. Serve these in several small meals throughout the day.
15. Try the CRAP diet. The CRAP diet stands for Cherries, Raisins, Apricots and Prunes. This is the ideal diet for kids suffering from constipation. For younger children, puree the foods to prevent a choking hazard.
16. Try the BRAT diet. The BRAT diet is for the opposite event – diarrhea. BRAT stands for Banana, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. All these foods are bland and easily digestible, and can calm an upset stomach.
17. Include yogurt. The cause for many abdominal ailments is a sluggish gut. Probiotic food like yogurt helps keep the gut healthy, providing it with active bacteria that can get the digestive system running smoothly.
When to see the Doctor
As mentioned earlier, most cases of stomach ache in children are not serious, but some can be. If your child exhibits any of the following symptoms, he should be taken to the doctor:
Severe tummy pain that wakes him up from sleep
Fever or chills
Pain that gets worse on moving
Pain that increases in a certain part of the abdomen
Diarrhea or vomiting that does not stop
Refusal to eat or drink anything
Weight loss
Hard or swollen abdomen
