When your baby is unwell, you want to do anything to help him feel better. Stomach pain is a very common symptom among children and can be caused by several factors. Rule out any urgent problems, comfort the little one, and offer him natural relief to help soothe the discomfort.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Bypass Emergencies
Step 1. Know when to call your pediatrician
Sometimes, a stomach ache can be a serious problem or a symptom of some medical condition that causes the baby to show a variety of symptoms. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:
- Persistent pain on the right side of the abdomen (symptom of appendicitis)
- Pain in a specific part of the abdomen
- Sudden or worrying worsening of pain
- Pain that lasts more than 24 hours
- Pain to the touch when you press his belly;
- Abdominal swelling
- Abdomen hard or stiff to the touch
- Pain or swelling in the groin (including testicles)
- Pain when urinating
- High fever;
- Frequent vomiting or diarrhea, inability to retain fluids;
- Blood in the stool / vomiting or bleeding from the rectum
- Recent belly injury.
Step 2. Know when to call the poison control center
Belly pain can also be the result of ingesting some poisonous substance, such as chemicals, drugs, cleaning detergents, or other toxic elements. If the child has consumed (or worries that he has) any inedible compound or liquid, you should immediately call the nearest poison control center. Do a quick internet search to find your nearest office. Some signs that may lead you to think that he has ingested some poisonous substance are:
- Unexplained vomiting or diarrhea
- Chest pain
- Headache;
- Blurred vision
- Unexplained stains on clothes
- Numbness
- Chills;
- Fever;
- Burns to the lips, mouth or skin
- Excessive salivation;
- Bad breath;
- Difficulty in breathing.
Part 2 of 3: Offer Relief
Step 1. Take your attention away from the discomfort
Tell him stories, show him a movie, or organize a board game to pass the time and help him forget his stomach ache. Do your best to keep him entertained and distracted while he waits for the pain to subside.
Step 2. Give him a warm bath
Hot water helps him relax and feel better; moreover, it can also be a fun experience! Make some foam bubbles and put on some toys to help the baby forget the discomfort for a while.
Step 3. Ask him to drink water
If stomach pain is not a problem that requires immediate medical attention, it could simply be a slight dehydration. Offer him some water to encourage him to drink; you can add some fruit (like a piece of watermelon or an orange wedge) to improve the flavor.
Step 4. Feed him light food
The blank diet helps to absorb the excess acids present in the stomach; a great option is a simple slice of wholemeal bread, some dry crackers, or some rice without seasoning.
Step 5. Make him drink hot chicken broth
In particular, the one prepared with real bones and not with granular products is a light, nutritious and easy to digest food; in addition, the heat it releases is soothing to the stomach. Especially if the baby does not want to eat, chicken broth is perfect because it is rich in nutrients and promotes hydration.
If he doesn't eat chicken, you can offer him a vegetable broth
Step 6. Show your love
Sometimes kisses and hugs are the best medicine! If the child feels loved and supported in this moment of discomfort and discomfort, he is less likely to experience negative feelings; be very affectionate and give him attention to keep him calm and serene.
Step 7. Encourage him to rest
It is important that you rest if you want to heal; you can place a pillow on his stomach, huddle together on the sofa or lie down next to each other while you caress his abdomen.
Tell him to lie on his side if he feels the need to release some gas
Part 3 of 3: Natural Remedies
Step 1. Give them papaya, ginger or mint chewing gum
These are all great substances for soothing stomach ache and can be found in the form of chewing gum at health food stores. They are similar to candy and have a good taste, the child is therefore encouraged to chew them.
Always read the instructions on the package to find out how many gums you can offer each day and make sure it is big enough for you to chew them safely
Step 2. Prepare herbal tea to provide relief from discomfort
Ginger and mint are available in tea bags; they are hot drinks that act quickly to soothe the discomfort of stomach ache. Prepare a hot cup for your child; you can add some honey if they like.
- However, do not put white sugar in the tea, otherwise it could aggravate the situation.
- However, you should not use honey if your baby is under one year old, as the digestive flora has not yet fully developed at this age and honey could cause a serious illness known as infantile botulism.
Step 3. Give him an over-the-counter product to relieve colic
Some medicines are effective for this type of abdominal discomfort in children and infants, but are also useful when an older child suffers from them. The main ingredient should be fennel oil which helps to clear the intestine of gas and acts against bloating and stomach pain; However, avoid those products that contain sweeteners (sucrose) or alcohol.
Step 4. Put a warm compress on his stomach
The heat helps to relax the muscles, thereby relieving discomfort. You can use a normal electric warmer (setting it to the minimum temperature) or a cloth to warm up in the microwave.
Step 5. Massage his abdomen
Make circular movements with your hands applying gentle pressure all over the little patient's stomach; in this way, you should offer comfort from the discomfort and encourage muscle relaxation. Continue for 5-10 minutes, but be careful not to move your hand too fast and not to press too hard.
Advice
- Don't panic, or else you may be agitating the baby.
- If it is a young girl, make sure the problem is not due to menstruation.
- If he vomits, offer comfort and patiently help him drink water to get rid of the bad taste.
- If there is currently a viral outbreak or some other seasonal infection, your child may have contracted another type of pathogen that is causing a severe tummy ache.
- Ask him if he has recently defecated; Sometimes, intestinal irregularity can also be the cause of abdominal pain and swelling.
- Don't offer him drinks if he's sick; the acidic substances contained in them can make him suffer even more.
- Yogurt is a food rich in "good bacteria" and is therefore an excellent choice to soothe the digestive system.
- Ask him if he has eaten too much, as it could be a cause of bloating and stomach pain.
Warnings
- Tell the pediatrician if the baby has special needs or medical problems.
- "I have a stomach ache" is one of the main excuses children give for not doing what they don't want to do; make sure your child is telling the truth about their ailments.
- Call your pediatrician if none of the remedies described lead to positive results.
