Monday, March 25, 2024

What To Give A Child For Upset Stomach And Diarrhea

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Best Food For Toddler With Upset Stomach

Mayo Clinic Minute: What to do if your child has an upset stomach

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Ughthe dreaded GI bug! And theres few things in life more miserable than a child with vomiting, diarrhea, or a stomach ache. Its hard to watch our little ones suffer, especially through stomach pain and tummy troubles.

Luckily, there are some foods for toddlers with an upset stomach that an help them recover and get back to their spunky, energetic selves.

This article is not intended to replace medical advice and you should seek medical attention if you are concerned for your childs health. Always contact your health care provider with questions or concerns regarding your childs health. Please read my full medical disclosure here. This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if a purchase is made using the links from this page.

Rub The Foot Using Reflexology

“There are thousands of nerves in the feet and hands that, when specific techniques are applied, can cause the entire body to relax and feel calmer,” says Laura Norman, a reflexology practitioner and author of Feet First: A Guide to Food Reflexology. The tummy region corresponds with the center arch of the left foot. Using a reflexology technique, hold your child’s left foot with the palm of your right hand, and with your left hand under the ball of the foot, apply a steady, even pressure with your thumb.

Use a forward, caterpillar-like motion to go across the foot. Switch hands and repeat from right to left, with the thumb of your right hand, and continue until you cover the center of the arch. “The child will respond positively to their mom’s loving touch, the parent feels wonderful for being able to help their child, and the parent-child connection is strengthened,” Norman adds.

What Can I Give My Child For An Upset Stomach

Offer your kid pure ginger. According to Tums Kids, pure ginger is beneficial for easing stomach pains, and foods with ginger may also work. Try ginger ale, ginger cookies or candy. Read the label to ensure it is made with pure ginger. . This includes dairy products and sugary drinks like apple juice.

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Theyre Vomiting A Lot & Have Stomach Pain

Vomiting is never fun to deal with, but it happens. Some kids tend to vomit a lot more than others, but excessive vomiting when a child keeps vomiting over and over again may be a warning sign, especially if theyre unable to keep any fluids or solids down.

In children, this may quickly lead to dehydration, which is monitored by urine output, or how much a child urinates during the day, explains Owusu-Ansah. If the amount significantly decreases, that can be an early sign of dehydration.

They Are Very Young With A Stomachache

Food to give to baby,toddler during Diarrhoea/ Loose motions &  Vomiting ...

When it comes to babies who cant verbalize their pain, its hard to know when they have a stomachache, let alone how serious the pain is. Poston says, Vomiting and diarrhea in a baby less than 3 months old needs to be evaluated as soon as possible. Any fever in a baby under 3 months old does as well.

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Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Upset Stomach

This is one of the most popular and potent home remedies for getting rid of upset stomach and diarrhea.

If you can handle the taste, drink a tablespoon or two of ACV for upset stomach relief.

If not, you can add some lemon juice to make it taste a bit better.

That way, more of it can get into the intestine to maintain healthy gut bacteria.

Some people take apple cider vinegar as a preventive measure.

The menthol in its leaves has been proven to be a good upset stomach medicine.

You can use peppermint to get rid of an upset stomach and diarrhea by:

  • Chewing the leaves directly
  • Brewing the leaves into a tea and drinking it
  • Sniff peppermint extract This is a great way to get rid of kids upset stomach ache at school.
  • Sucking a peppermint candy

You can also use this to relieve upset stomach after eating.

They Keep Complaining About A Stomachache

If your child is complaining about their stomach pain more than they usually would complain about something, that could be an indication that the pain is severe. See if you can distract them from what theyre feeling if their favorite movie or game doesnt take their mind off of it, thats probably because its really bothering them.

Dr. Leann Poston of Invigor Medical, says, If the pain is severe and your child cannot be distracted from the pain, contact your doctor. If the pain is not as severe, consider the age of the child. Children who cannot express their pain well warrant a call to a physician more quickly than those who can describe where the pain is located and what it feels like and thus provide reassurance.

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Medicine For Your Childs Vomiting

In the majority of cases, your child wont require medical intervention to stop vomiting. Most instances of throwing up will go away on their own. However, sometimes, if vomiting is severe or goes on for a lengthy stretch, your doctor may prescribe medication.

Zofran is an anti-nausea drug often given to chemotherapy patients and sometimes prescribed for severe vomiting and diarrhea in children. Though its likely to be given to your child in extreme circumstances only, such as in the emergency room or while hospitalized, its possible your pediatrician may prescribe it for at-home use.

Is Yogurt Good For Upset Stomach

What is Diarrhea? Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

Dont Eat: Dairy

Milk, cheese, and ice cream are all no-nos with an upset stomach. Theyre hard for your body to digest, in part because theyre high in fat. Plain, nonfat yogurt may be OK sometimes, but start with a little and see how it goes.

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About Stomach Pain Or Ache

Stomach pain in children is very often caused by wind and indigestion, neither of which is serious.

A sore tummy might also be a sign of infections like food poisoning, gastroenteritis, pneumonia or urinary tract infections.

Anxiety or stress can cause butterflies in the tummy.

Severe stomach pain might be caused by more serious illnesses like appendicitis or intussusception, which is when part of the intestine slides into or over itself.

Tummy pain that keeps coming back might be associated with constipation, food intolerances or inflammation in the gut.

In adolescent girls, stomach pain can be caused by reproductive issues, including period pain, a twisted ovary and ectopic pregnancy.

Sometimes stomach pain is functional abdominal pain. This means that the stomach is very sensitive, even to the normal movement of food through the digestive system.

I Asked A Doctor If Kids Can Have Tums Heres The Answer

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My 3-year-old sometimes complains that her tummy hurts.

With kids that age, its really hard to tell when theyre in a lot of pain, exaggerating a little discomfort, or making it up entirely for attention or comfort.

Plus, when my stomach hurts, Ill often take Tums or a store brand antacid of some kind. She sees me do this and will often ask if she can have some.

So for a variety of reasons Ive been wondering lately if its OK for kids and toddlers to have Tums or other antacids. They seem harmless to me, and Ill down them like candy when I have a stomachache, but Im not a doctor.

So I called my own pediatrician and talked to the nurse line to ask if kids can take Tums. This was their advice:

Typically, they dont recommend Tums or antacids for kids under 6 years of age. The better approach would be to:

  • Try to determine if its just attention or comfort-seeking behavior
  • Give a placebo or multi-vitamin
  • Keep an eye open for signs that theyre actually sick

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What Causes An Upset Stomach

There could be several reasons why your stomach feels uncomfortable.

Three of the most common causes of an upset stomach include:

  • Overeating and indigestion: Large meals overtax your digestive system and expand your stomach. This pushes against other vital organs, creating abdominal discomfort.
  • Stomach flu: A viral intestinal infection. You may get it from contaminated food sources or someone who is infected with it.
  • Food poisoning: Unhygienic food handling causes bacteria, viruses, and parasites to enter your digestive system when you consume said food.

Other chronic conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome , also incite uncomfortable digestive symptoms such as bloating and gas. If your upset stomach has been going on for some time now, consult your doctor to rule out potential medical issues.

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When Should My Child See A Doctor

Top 8 Diarrhea for Kids  Antidiarrheal Medications  FoldBold

Got to a doctor or your local hospital emergency room straightaway if a child with diarrhoea:

  • is younger than 6 months or weighs less than 8 kg
  • was born preterm, or has ongoing health problems
  • has blood or mucus in their stool this suggests a bacterial infection
  • has severe abdominal pain or constant tummy pain
  • is a baby and is doing fewer than 4 wet nappies per day
  • has green vomit
  • shows signs of dehydration
  • cannot take in enough fluids
  • is tired or drowsy
  • has other worrying symptoms, such as headache or pain when weeing
  • is not getting any better

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Causes Of Abdominal Pain And Diarrhea In Children

Like adults, children often experience abdominal pain and diarrhea because of stomach flu, infections, food allergies, lactose intolerance, or stress. But eating too much can also cause these symptoms.

Some children may have trouble telling the difference between when theyre hungry and when theyre full. This can cause them to overeat. Overeating puts stress on the digestive system, which can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea.

What Can I Give My Child For Stomach Pain And Diarrhea

To keep a child with diarrhea hydrated, offer plenty of fluids, such as:

  • Pediatric electrolyte solutions in liquid or freezer pop form.
  • Sports drinks, such as Gatorade or Powerade

When should you take a toddler to the doctor for diarrhea?

What can I give my 2 year old for upset stomach and diarrhea?

For a younger child or baby, you may be able to get them to drink a rehydration solution like Pedialyte. This can be especially helpful for babies who have vomiting or diarrhea lasting longer than overnight. You can try a rehydration solution from your local drugstore or make your own.

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Take With Or Without Food

Check the label on your antibiotics. Does it recommend taking them with food or on an empty stomach?

In either case, follow the directions. Some antibiotics are better absorbed on an empty stomach, so you dont want to limit their effectiveness. But if the label says, Take with food, taking your pills with a meal might help ease stomach issues.

Beyond the specifics above, good old-fashioned advice for treating diarrhea still applies. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, and use rehydrating beverages high in electrolytes if needed. Avoid alcohol and caffeine if theyre making your diarrhea worse. Keep in mind alcohol may actually cause severe reactions while you are taking certain antibiotics, so check the label for that information, as well. Eat a more bland diet than you might normally eat.

Its better to use caution than get hit with unpleasant side effects.

Common sense would say you are going to disturb the natural balance with antibiotics, Dr. Rabovsky says, so anything else that causes you GI symptoms could make side effects even worse.

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What Can I Do To Prevent Diarrhea

What foods should diarrhea patients eat and avoid ?

Proper handwashing can reduce the spread of bacteria that may cause diarrhea.

A rotavirus vaccine can prevent diarrhea caused by rotaviruses. Ask your child’s healthcare provider which vaccines are right for your child.

When you travel, make sure anything your child eats and drinks is safe. This is even more important if you travel to developing countries.

Travel safety tips for drinking and eating include:

  • Not drinking tap water or using it to brush teeth

  • Not using ice made from tap water

  • Not drinking unpasteurized milk

  • Not eating raw fruits and vegetables unless you wash and peel them yourself

  • Not eating raw or undercooked meat or fish

  • Not eating food from street vendors or food trucks

Talk with your child’s healthcare provider before traveling.

Recommended Reading: How To Stop Vomiting And Diarrhea

Avoid Alcohol And Smoking

Smoking tobacco can irritate the throat which can increase the possibility of an upset stomach.

It can also affect the stomach lining especially if youre vomiting.

Alcohol, on the other hand, is difficult to digest and takes a heavy toll on the liver.

If you already have an upset stomach, you should have smoking or drinking alcohol as it will make things worse.

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Treating Symptoms Of Your Child’s Stomachache

  • Have the child lie down and rest.
  • Don’t give the child fluids for about 2 hours after the last vomiting episode. Then give the child clear fluids such as water or flat soda. Start with just a sip at a time.
  • Keep a container nearby in case the child vomits.
  • If the child vomits more than once, watch for signs of dehydration, such as decreased urination or dry diapers, dry lips, and crying without tears.
  • If you think the child could be constipated, put them on the toilet. Passing a stool may ease the pain.
  • Sit the child in warm water to help release a stool if you think the child is constipated.
  • Avoid giving ibuprofen , pain medicine, or laxatives.

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Remedies And Treatments For Upset Stomach And Diarrhea

Upset Stomach Remedies

Most stomach ailments can be treated at home. As soon as you start feeling sick, begin limiting your diet to clear liquids in frequent, small amounts. Make sure to drink enough fluids to keep your urine clear or a pale yellow.

If youâre not able to keep liquids down and begin to vomit, start with sips of water or sucking on ice chips. Once you are able to keep that down, try other fluids like:

  • Clear soup broth or bouillon
  • Clear soft-drinks like 7-Up, Sprite, or Ginger Ale
  • Juices like apple, grape, cherry, or cranberry

Once you are able to keep all liquids down, try some solid foods along with the liquids. Good foods to try are:

It may take several days to one week to regain your appetite, energy level, and for your bowels to regain normalcy.

Diarrhea TreatmentsMost cases of diarrhea clear on their own within a couple of days without treatment. If you’ve tried lifestyle changes and home remedies for an upset stomach and diarrhea without success, your doctor might recommend the following:

Antibiotics might help treat diarrhea caused by bacteria or parasites. If a virus is causing your diarrhea, antibiotics won’t help. Alternatively, if your doctor determines that antibiotics are whatâs causing your diarrhea, they will likely lower the dose or switch to another medication.

Treatment to Replace Fluids

Treating underlying conditions

Upset Stomach and Diarrhea Prevention

Home Treatment For Stomach Pain

Pepto Bismol For Toddler Diarrhea

So how long does stomach pain normally last? Well, that all depends on the cause. With harmless causes, the pain is usually better or gone in about two hours. Either that or youll see new symptoms, like the vomiting, the diarrhea, usually theyll pass gas if its from gas pains, things like that. What if they have stomach pain from indigestion? Well the first thing they should do is just lie down. Quite often lying down and not focusing so much on the belly pain does make it better. You can give them belly rubs, you can have a warm washcloth or a heating pad on their stomach and that will make them feel better, too.

Avoid giving your child any solid foods and allow only sips of clear fluids if theyre vomiting. If they continue to try and eat normally, the vomiting will continue and their stomach pain will get worse. If your child hasnt gone to the bathroom for a little while, have them go sit on the toilet and see if having a bowel movement will help with their belly pain.

And finally, we usually dont recommend giving any medication for stomach cramps unless you know the cause. Obviously if its because of constipation and this is a chronic problem, give them their constipation medication. But if you dont know what the cause is, dont give your child Tylenol or Motrin to help the stomach pain. Try and figure out with your pediatrician what the cause of the stomach pain is so that you can help them if this happens again.

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What Settles Upset Stomach Naturally

Try putting a heating pad or hot towel on your abdomen. The heat can help relax the muscles and relieve cramping. Taking a hot shower or bath with Epsom salts may also help. If the stomach pain is persistent, try sticking to the basics with the BRAT diet that is, bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.

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