Those puppy dog eyes and the chubby hand can detect your toddler’s sore stomach. It can be mild or they could be in severe pain. Toddlers often have difficulty expressing their feelings. Check out this handy checklist of 7 Essential Tips to Banish Toddler Tummy Aches if your child is complaining about a sore stomach.
What to do about abdominal pain in children?
Children complain about stomach pain, which is one of the main reasons parents take their children to the emergency department or doctor’s office.
Stomach pain is difficult to diagnose. Your doctor will first ask you some questions, then examine your child. A problem can be so obvious that no test is needed.
Many children who have stomach pain improve in a few hours or even days, without any special treatment. Often the cause cannot be determined. With time, the cause may become more apparent and you can begin treatment. Consult your doctor if pain or other symptoms persist.
Recurrent stomach pain
Parents may be concerned when their children experience repeated stomach pains. Sometimes, there is no obvious health issue.
When children are anxious about themselves or others, they may experience stomach pain. Consider if your child is upset at school, home, kindergarten or with their friends.
Checklist of 7 Essential Tips to Banish Toddler Tummy Aches
1. Toilet Fear
These toddlers are constantly learning, from how to walk, to eating independently, and, of course, how to train them on the toilet. Some children are out of nappies without any problems in no time. Some children may have phobias about going to the bathroom, and will even hold on rather than go.
As adults, we know that not emptying our bowels regularly and properly can cause stomach pain. Ask your toddler if he or she has tried to sit on the potty or toilet. You can also ask them if they’ve worn a nappy or sat on the toilet.
2. Anxiety
When they are anxious and nervous, children display similar symptoms to adults. What we call ‘butterflies or knots in the stomach’ can feel like a tummy ache to toddlers. Ask your child if they are experiencing any anxiety or upset. It could be anything, from separation anxiety to feeling sad that their favourite toy was lost.
It’s worth visiting the doctor if it seems that their problems are causing physical signs.

3. Food intolerance
Food intolerance is a term used to describe a situation where we can pinpoint the food or portion of a toddler’s diet causing them to have stomach issues. It is different from an allergic reaction, which involves the immune system. Foods like strawberries, tomatoes and citrus, as well as dairy products and strawberries, can cause an intolerance.
You may want to see if your child’s stomach pain is related to drinking cow’s dairy. You could also try goat’s dairy if this is the case. It is easier for children to digest goat’s milk because it contains a higher level of prebiotic oligosaccharides. These little prebiotics do wonderful things to promote gut health and aid digestion. There are even goat milk toddler milks that cater to the sensitive tummies of little ones.
4. What did you eat?!
This newfound freedom in feeding toddlers can lead them to ingest things that weren’t meant for human consumption. Ask your child if he or she has accidentally put something into their mouth they shouldn’t!
5. How much have you eaten?!
Chances are, if your child’s stomach troubles coincide with silence and an unlocked pantry, they have eaten something they shouldn’t have. Empty chocolate or lolly packets are an obvious sign. The old saying that you can’t have too much good stuff is true.
6. Illness
There are certainly times when a stomach ache can be linked to illness, especially if it occurs suddenly. Some illnesses, such as gastro and viruses, can cause severe stomach pain. However, these don’t usually require medication. Urinary tract infection can also cause stomach pain. Antibiotics are usually prescribed for bacterial infections, but you should still visit your doctor if the pain in your child’s stomach is not due to sickness.
7. Injury
Ask your toddler if they hurt themselves. If they can’t remember, ask them about where they played and what they did. You may be able to deduce that they fell or injured their belly. If your child can’t recall, ask them if they injured themselves. You may be able to deduce from their answers that they hurt their stomach or fell.

What causes children with abdominal pain?
Many health conditions can cause children to experience stomach pain, including:
Overeating
Eating too much, especially rich, spicy or fatty foods, can cause tummy aches in children. This often happens during special events, like birthday parties or holidays.
Constipation
Constipation is another common issue. Hard or infrequent bowel movements (poops) can cause cramping and pain.
Most kids don’t drink enough water and dehydration in combination with a poor diet are the two biggest factors in constipation. “Things like potty training and illnesses can sometimes trigger constipation.
Gas and bloating
Gas is one of the most frequent causes of stomach pain in kids. It happens when air builds up in the digestive tract, causing bloating and discomfort. Kids can swallow air when eating too quickly, drinking from a straw or drinking carbonated drinks.
Stomach viruses (gastroenteritis)
The stomach flu can cause tummy pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. These viruses are highly contagious, so if your child has been around other sick children it’s possible they picked up a bug.
Call their provider if vomiting and diarrhea last more than a day, you notice blood in your child’s throw-up or poop or their pain worsens.
Food intolerances
Lactose intolerance (problems digesting dairy) and gluten sensitivity (issues with wheat) are common issues that can cause stomach discomfort. These can start in late childhood or adolescence and can become more noticeable in adulthood.

Stress and anxiety
Kids often express their worries through physical symptoms. Stress and anxiety in children often show up with stomach pain, nausea and other GI symptoms.
Stress and anxiety are more common in children than many people often realise. When children have recurrent stomachaches and we cannot find a medical explanation, the next thing we look at is stress. Are there changes at home or trouble at school or with friends that may be causing stress to manifest itself as a stomachache?
Intussusception
Intussusception is a form of intestinal obstruction or blockage where a loop of the bowel (intestine) telescopes (slides inward) into another portion of the bowel, preventing food from passing through the intestine,”
This condition is most common in infants and toddlers. It is a serious condition as it can cut the blood supply to the bowel, causing tissue damage, infection and internal bleeding.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a serious condition where the appendix becomes inflamed and infected. The pain typically starts near the belly button and then moves to the lower right side of the stomach (abdomen).
The pain from appendicitis often gets worse over time. Your child may also have a fever, nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite.
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
UTIs can sometimes cause stomach pain, especially in younger children who might not recognise the pain as coming from their bladder. Symptoms include pain or burning when they pee, a frequent need to go to the bathroom and sometimes a fever.
Period pain (menstrual cramps)
In older children, especially tweens and teenagers, stomach pain may be caused by period cramps. Many experience cramping in the lower stomach area before or during their periods. This can cause mild or moderate discomfort and may sometimes include headaches, diarrhea and back pain.

How to prevent stomach pain
These tips can help reduce stomach pain.
- Slow down and chew your food thoroughly. Eat slowly and thoroughly. It helps digestion.
- Eat more frequent smaller meals. Too much food consumed at once can overload your digestive system.
- Keep hydrated. Drink lots of water during the day to ease cramps and prevent constipation.
- Consume fiber. Increase your fiber intake to avoid constipation.
- Limit or avoid foods that trigger your pain.
- Be active. Exercise every day to improve digestion.
- Speak to your doctor. Your doctor can determine the cause of your stomach pain and prescribe a treatment.
Treatment at home for stomach aches
Home remedies are a great first step for mild stomach pains in children. Simple solutions can often ease discomfort and prevent the need for a doctor. These simple solutions can provide comfort, and stop the problem from worsening.
Try these tips to help your child feel more comfortable.
- Let your child rest by letting him lie down.
- Put a heating pad or a compress on the stomach.
- Massage your child’s stomach gently to help relieve gas and indigestion.
- Take small sips.
- Consult your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medication. Ibuprofen can cause stomach upset.
- Keep a food journal if you experience indigestion often. Look for links between certain foods, and stomach pain.
As a precaution, take your child to a doctor if you suspect they’ve injured their stomach area.
When to see a pediatrician?
If your child’s symptoms persist or worsen for more than three to five consecutive hours, or they are accompanied by a fever severe sore throat, or an extreme and persistent change in their appetite or energy levels, then you should contact your pediatrician. These symptoms could indicate a serious condition.
Conclusion
Lower abdominal pain and bloating can be caused by many different things. Some of the causes are benign and easily treated, while others can be more serious.
Normal lower abdominal pain or bloating is not usually a problem. People should consult a physician if symptoms worsen or last longer than a couple of days.
If you experience any additional symptoms such as fever, vomiting or blood in your stool, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.
Some people may be able to prevent lower abdomen pain and bloating if they avoid foods that can trigger these symptoms.