Digestive problems in children can be very distressing for the child as well as the parents. Along with the digestive complaint, they can typically also adversely affect mood and sleep. Temporary abdominal pains are most commonly due to food poisoning, constipation, colic, a viral infection or excess intestinal gas. It is always important to see your local doctor and get an accurate diagnosis.

If abdominal pain is severe and located around the belly button and/or lower right abdomen, it could be appendicitis which is often associated with fever and vomiting. Also keep in mind that a urinary tract infection can cause abdominal pain.

Recurrent and frequent abdominal discomfort can be due to:

  • Chronic constipation
  • Food intolerance to things like wheat, gluten, dairy products, eggs, etc
  • The wrong bacteria in the gut (dysbiosis)
  • Swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the abdominal cavity.

It is wise to consult your doctor or get a referral to a specialist for tests such as blood tests, urine tests, and a feces test. An ultrasound scan of the abdomen should be done to check all the organs and the size of the glands. It is important to determine the underlying cause and to exclude serious problems.

Things that can help tummy problems in children

A good probiotic such as Floratone and fermented foods such as dairy yogurt or coconut yogurt. It is hard to get a child to eat sauerkraut, but it is beneficial.

If the glands in the abdomen are enlarged, you may find that a diet free of dairy and gluten is most helpful.

Glutamine powder can settle an upset tummy associated with indigestion.

Many children are picky eaters and nutrient deficiencies of minerals is common and may adversely affect intestinal function.

Rubbing the tummy with warmed organic castor oil can help and is relaxing for the child.

If your child refuses to eat fresh vegetables and fruit, you can juice things like apple, carrot, beetroot, parsley, watermelon and oranges to make a tasty drink. You can even freeze the juice into popsicles and ice blocks that taste great. See my book Raw Juices Can Save Your Life for delicious juice recipes.

Magnesium can help constipation because it relaxes the nerves and muscles of the intestines. ¼ of a teaspoon of magnesium powder can be dissolved in water or a smoothie or yoghurt.

A healthy dessert could be grated apple, good quality honey and yogurt (either Greek or coconut)

Fruits that contain digestive enzymes include papaya, pineapple and apple and may improve digestion.

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.