The cries of your baby ... "Mommy, my tummy hurts!" ... are especially
painful when you feel helpless. You want so badly to make the hurt go
away, to wipe away the tears, to comfort your child and put the smile
back on her face.
And fortunately, when the cries are related to stomach aches, the
problems are usually not too difficult, although the cure may not be
immediate.
"Most stomach-related problems are easy to identify," explains Dr. W.
Scott Colliton, a pediatrician at Children’s Mercy Hospitals and
Clinics. "In
most cases, the problems are not serious. Usually, what the children
need is time, a change in diet and, once in awhile, some medication.
"And don’t forget the tender loving care."
Following are some of the common causes and cures for stomach
discomfort:
- Colic. This is the most common stomach ailment among young
infants. Its cause is unknown. Colicky babies appear to be suffering
from abdominal pain. They pull up their knees and their stomachs
tighten. They cry relentlessly for extended periods. Swaddling,
burping, cuddling, holding, rocking and riding in the car can sometimes
calm colicky babies. It tends to set in when a baby is two weeks old
and is often over by the time a baby is three months old.
- Constipation. Hard stools that are difficult to pass are
high on the list of stomach-related ailments among babies. The parent
of any child under two months of age with constipation should talk to a
pediatrician about treatment. For some infants, the best course of
action is a simple change in diet: prunes or pears will loosen the
stool naturally; some foods like bananas and rice, can cause
constipation and can be eliminated from the diet. For older children
who are being potty trained, it could be a control issue. One solution:
delay potty training.
- Formula intolerance. Typical symptoms are diarrhea and/or
vomiting. Episodes of stomach pain tend to follow soon after feedings.
If you suspect intolerance, consult your pediatrician.
- Stomach viruses. After the first year of life, stomach
viruses are the most typical stomach ailment. Symptoms are abdominal
pain accompanied by fever, and vomiting and/or diarrhea. Stomach
viruses usually last three to 10 days. Avoiding viruses is difficult
since germs are spread easily and quickly among children. The best
advice: encourage your child to wash his hands frequently. When your
child has been vomiting, give the stomach rest; wait an hour or two
before offering anything to eat or drink. Try small sips of clear
liquid. If your child has diarrhea, avoid giving her milk for 12 to 24
hours. Avoid fruit juices which can make the problem worse. To reduce
fever or pain, give an appropriate dose of acetaminophen — do not give
aspirin.
- Stress-related stomach aches. Chances are if a child stays
away from school because of a stomach ache, but it goes away by mid-
morning, the problem is stress related. It’s not unusual, but it’s
important to get to the root of the issue: often conflicts with other
children or striving to overachieve.
- Motion sickness. Offer a child a low-fat meal or snack
(bread or crackers) before getting in the car since an empty stomach
can make matters worse. Also, don’t let your child read in the car.
Although most stomach aches are minor and pass within a few hours to
three days, there can be complications that call for a doctor’s
consultation. If your child’s abdominal pain is unrelenting or is
associated with fever, vomiting, a distended abdomen, walking bent over
and/or passing of blood in the stool, call your pediatrician.
Also, be alert for signs of dehydration.
And remember, if your child looks distressed, it’s worth a phone call
to the doctor. If nothing else, you’ll be reassured there’s no real
danger.
