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If your little one seems more fussy than usual, he may be showing discomfort or pain in certain parts of his body. You need to pay attention to every sign. One of the health conditions that may occur is stomach pain in children. The usual symptoms shown are that your little one has a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. In line with the symptoms, the causes of stomach pain are quite diverse.
Causes, symptoms, and ways to recover stomach pain in children
Apart from being fussy or crying more often, your little one may show other symptoms when having an upset stomach such as:
- Don't want to eat or sleep
- Can not be silent
- Showing a face in pain
We recommend that you immediately consult a doctor to find out the cause of the symptoms shown by your little one. Here are some of the causes of children's stomach pain that you need to know.
Colic
Usually appears in infants between ten days and three months. It is not yet known what the exact cause of colic in children is, but it is believed that this stomach disorder occurs due to severe contractions that occur in the intestines. The pain is often more pronounced during the day and evening, and is accompanied by symptoms such as:
- Cry for at least three hours, for at least three times a week, and for at least three weeks
- Pulling feet closer to chest when crying
- Frequent gasping
Unfortunately, there is no cure for colic. However, doctors suggest several ways to help relieve pain that is felt by your little one by:
- Cover the baby (swaddling)
- Swing your little one or take a walk
- Usewhite noise(soothing voice) as a distraction
- Try giving a pacifier
Based on open clinical trials, a formula with partially hydrolyzed protein can be used on your little one with gastrointestinal manifestations such as colic, flatulence, and hardened stools. Mama can choose this formal milk to help relieve health symptoms in the digestive tract, including colic.
Gas
The appearance of stomach pain in children caused by gas may be a sign of an incomplete digestive system or intestine. The "good" bacteria in your little one's digestive system are still growing.
To relieve stomach aches in children due to gas, you can help your little one burp more often. Keep your little one in an upright position when eating and rub the back slowly
Gas can enter the digestive tract of children due to problems digesting the food consumed, including breast milk or formula milk. You need to pay attention to the food consumed if you are still breastfeeding and consult your doctor about what foods you may need to avoid.
If your little one is given formula milk, also consult a doctor because you may need to change the type. Partially hydrolyzed formula is available which is easier to digest. This type of formula can help reduce gas caused by the digestive process. This is because protein has been broken down into smaller molecules so that it is easier for the body to digest and absorb. Partially hydrolyzed formula may be recommended by your doctor.
Reflux
Most children spit up or even vomit occasionally after each meal. This is called gastroesophageal reflux (just reflux) and is normal in children.
Reflux occurs when the valve between the esophagus and stomach doesn't work normally, so food and stomach acid rise from the stomach into the esophagus.
Stomach pain in children due to reflux also causes a burning sensation in the esophagus and chest. In general, reflux will go away after your little one turns one year old.
You may consider replacing milk with a partial hydrolysis formula because it contains protein that has been broken down into smaller sizes. This formula is easier to digest in the stomach, does not leave behind excess acid, and does not trigger gas that can cause reflux.
However, you need to see a pediatrician immediately when:
- Weight does not increase
- Vomiting continuously, causing stomach contents to come out
- The vomit is green or yellow in color
- Vomiting accompanied by blood or a liquid that resembles coffee grounds
- Refusing to eat
- There is blood in the stool
- Difficulty breathing or chronic cough
- Starts vomiting at 6 months of age or older
- Distracted or restless after eating
Some of these symptoms may indicate a serious problem such as GERD or blockage of the digestive tract, although it is still treatable.
Stomach flu
Stomach pain in children may also be accompanied by symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea at the same time. When this happens, it means that your little one is likely to experience itstomach flu (stomach flu).
If the stomach flu that is the cause of stomach pain is accompanied by fever and loss of appetite, your little one can quickly become dehydrated. Therefore, it is important to continue to provide fluid needs to your little one. You can continue to provide formula or breast milk to help with recovery.
Observing the health condition of children under one year of age can be quite complicated. However, by observing every symptom shown and always consulting a doctor, you can be helped in overcoming various health conditions that occur to your little one.
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