As we all know, tummy pain is one of the health problems that children and babies experience the most. Many worries about this situation, but most cases are not serious and we can solve them ourselves. In addition, thanks to the qualities of some foods, there are home remedies that we can apply to relieve this pain.
If you are facing this situation and do not know how to relieve these ailments in your little one, you have come to the right place because in we bring you the home remedies for tummy pain in children.
Causes of tummy pain in children
There are several causes why a child may have a tummy ache. Maybe it's just because our little one has eaten too fast which produces stomach and belly discomfort, salivation, coughing, gagging or sudden vomiting.
We have to pay attention to these symptoms, because if we observe that the child breathes badly, the cough is continuous and cries during and after the meal and happens in all or almost all the meals he makes, it may be that we are facing the gastroesophageal flow disease and we will have to go to the doctor as soon as possible.
If the child has diarrhea, it may be because he or she has eaten a spoiled food or contracted a gastrointestinal virus. We will have to be alert and start treating the problem as soon as possible, since the stool will be liquid and abundant, which can cause dehydration of the child.
Another possible cause of belly pain in children is constipation, which is common when new foods are added to the child's diet. In this situation the feces are very hard. Finally, you may only have discomfort in your belly from gas, which we will explain later.
Heat as a home remedy for tummy pain in children
A hot water bottle, for example like the one we put in bed in winter, applied to the abdomen serves as a great help to relax the muscles of the child's belly and relieve discomfort.
We can give you a good hot water bath, which will do the same effect. This way we will also get the child to forget a little about the pain while we are playing with him in the bathtub.
Remember that it is convenient that the water is hot but try not to burn and remember to wrap the hot water bottle with a cloth, cloth or thin towel or place it on the pajamas or sheets, to prevent it from burning with direct contact.
How to remove belly pain in children with massages
Another of the best home remedies for tummy pain in children is to perform gentle massages on their abdomen, favoring the activity of the area while calming the discomfort. What is achieved by massaging this area is to increase blood flow, which will accelerate digestion and facilitate the elimination of accumulated gases, reducing pain and colic.
If after the shower or bath we take the child, lie him on the bed and give him a massage on the belly, we will help even more to vanish these uncomfortable discomforts. You can do the massage at any other time, but after the shower with warm water it is recommended since, normally, the little one will be more relaxed.
How to massage a child or baby into the belly
- Run your hand all over your abdomen clockwise for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Do it without sliding too quickly or forcefully the hand, because the massage has to be with a gentle gesture.
- You can use oils, such as peppermint essential oil mixed with olive oil.
If you prefer, you can also do bicycle-type exercises, which will help improve the movement of the intestines and stomach and, therefore, eliminate gas and relieve discomfort. For this, stretch him on his back, take his legs, move them as if pedaling, you can even play with him and explain that you play to imagine that you are riding a bicycle, by the way his imagination will also be awakened and he will stop thinking about the belly ache.
You can learn more about these techniques in this other article on How to Remove Gas with Massage.
Foods to relieve tummy pain in children
Soup as a main course is one of the best options to relieve this pain. When the child is hungry, we will prepare a soup or chicken broth, if it is a soup try to take little pasta. This provides nutrients and hydrates the child, but the most important thing is the relaxation of the muscles that we get thanks to its hot spot.
There are fruits that are very good for belly pain such as pear, papaya and banana, they can do wonders about pain. The first has an anti-inflammatory effect of the intestinal mucosa and helps the intestinal flora, the second has the ability to reduce stomach inflammation and the third fights inflammation of the gastric mucosa.
White rice, turkey breast and fresh cheese are indicated in this situation, as they help eliminate gases.
If we suspect that our little one has pain because of a digestive problem at the level of intestines, yogurt is very efficient to improve intestinal transit and relieve pain.
It is important to give the child soft foods, as they are easy to digest and do not damage the stomach or intestines.
Infusions to relieve belly pain in children
Many of you will have heard of chamomile infusion as one of the best home remedies to cure belly pain in children and adults. Do not worry if you did not know, because now we tell you everything you need to know about why this infusion is excellent to solve this problem and we mention others:
- Chamomile infusion possesses relaxing and anti-inflammatory properties, by relaxing the upper muscle of the intestine facilitates digestion so it makes food move better through the stomach and small intestine.
- The infusion of ginger is also recommended and like that of chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties although the little one refuses since its flavor is strong.
- There are mint infusions that have similar properties and we can also buy simply mint candy that the little one’s love, as long as they are old enough.
Here you can consult more about the best infusions for stomach pain, but remember that you should not give any infusion or tea to your little one without first consulting with your pediatrician.
Tips to remove belly pain in children due to gas
If the belly problem is a baby, remember that after each meal you have to make him throw the air. Simply, you can get it by taking it and putting your head resting on your shoulders, facing you. When you have it well placed, give it gentle pats on the back and in this way, it will be easier for the belches to come out and relieve the stomach pain that you may have.
Maybe it's just an intestinal spasm caused by nerves or even having more gas production from being nervous; this can happen in older children and not so much in babies, but it is less frequent than previously discussed in this article. If you think your child has a nerve belly ache, help him or her calm down, give him a mild chamomile-like infusion, and see a doctor.
