My child has a stomach ache: what should I do?

Stomach aches are very common in children. They can start as early as infancy with infant colic. Later on, stomach pain is one of the most common reasons for a visit to the pediatrician. Nevertheless, behind an “my tummy hurts,” there can be many causes. From the most benign case to a serious one that may require urgent intervention. How can you recognize an appendicitis attack? When should you seek care if my child has a stomach ache? How can you relieve stomach pain in my child? Let’s take a closer look.

My child has a stomach ache: the different types of stomach pain

Stomach aches refer to pain of varying intensity located in the abdomen, meaning the area of the stomach and intestines. They may appear suddenly and be short-lived, or, on the contrary, settle in over time in a persistent or recurring way. In children and infants, abdominal pain is linked to how the digestive system works, a complex set of organs responsible for digesting food. These issues may also be associated with other symptoms such as gas or bloating.

In that case, children often complain that their whole belly hurts or that it hurts around the belly button. If your child’s stomach aches are mild, they’re eating as usual, their overall condition is good, they have no other symptoms, they’re gaining weight normally, and they are not waking up at night because of cramping, it is very likely simple abdominal spasms, with no cause for concern.

On the other hand, if your child points to a specific spot (other than the belly button), if the pain wakes them at night, if they vomit or have diarrhea, it may not be so harmless. Want to learn more? Feel free to download the May app, where you’ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your journey as a new parent.

Why does my child have a stomach ache?

There can be many causes of stomach aches in your child, and they can be grouped into broad categories:

• Constipation: constipation is one of the most common causes of abdominal pain in children. It can cause a hard belly, bloating, and sometimes significant pain, especially at the end of the day.
• Infections (digestive and urinary): digestive infections, such as gastroenteritis, are common in children. They often combine abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and sometimes fever.
• Diet-related causes (intolerances, allergies): some pain may be linked to food intolerances, especially lactose or gluten. They often show up after meals as bloating, pain, or changes in bowel habits.
• Emotional or psychological causes related to stress and anxiety: a change in routine, starting school, a separation, or an event perceived as difficult can cause real abdominal pain with no identifiable organic cause.

All of these mechanisms can be responsible for digestive symptoms of varying intensity in children. If your child has a stomach ache, the most important thing is first and foremost to recognize the most serious cases.

A word from Emmanuelle Rondeleux, pediatrician:

“The first step is to help your child put their pain into words. Don’t hesitate to ask them directly: ‘Show me where it hurts? What does it feel like? Do you know why it hurts?’ If your child can’t express the cause of the discomfort, you can help by suggesting possibilities: ‘Maybe it hurts because…’”

My child has a stomach ache: when should you go to the ER?

• The pain is very sudden and quickly becomes more intense. This could be an appendicitis attack. At the beginning of an appendicitis attack, the pain is not necessarily localized. It usually moves afterward to the lower right side of the abdomen. During an appendicitis attack, it’s not uncommon for abdominal pain to be accompanied by a mild fever and/or vomiting.
• Your child is between 3 months and 3–4 years old and has severe episodes of abdominal pain that recur, without fever: this could be acute intussusception.
• The pain follows a recent physical trauma (a fall, a blow, an accident). Severe stomach pain after a fall or accident can be a sign of a serious complication.
• Your child is unable to have a bowel movement, pass gas, or urinate.
• In case of fever, especially if it is moderate (38°C to 38.5°C / 100.4°F to 101.3°F), breathing difficulties, vomiting, profuse diarrhea, or blood in the urine or stool.

• The stomach pain is severe and persistently associated with one or more of the following symptoms: marked paleness or jaundice, headaches, burning when urinating, red or black stools, green or yellow vomit.

As always, call 15 if you notice any of the following issues:

• Behavior: your child is floppy or drowsy, irritable, and not acting like usual. They sleep a lot and are difficult to wake up.
• Color: they are very pale, have dark circles under their eyes and their eyeballs look sunken, their skin is mottled.

Breathing: they are having trouble breathing or are breathing rapidly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfO4pxB1j4Q

My child has a stomach ache: what to watch for

• The belly : is your child bloated? Is their belly hard? Do they have gas?
• Stools: constipation as well as diarrhea can explain stomach aches.
• Urine: is your child peeing more often than usual? Is it painful to pee? Is there blood in the urine, a fever? This may be a urinary tract infection that requires antibiotic treatment.
• Digestion: do certain foods seem to go down better than others? Does your older child complain of pain and bloating after having milk in the morning? Sometimes as children grow, they may have trouble digesting the lactose in milk. Talk to your doctor so their diet can be adjusted.
• Growth: if your child isn’t gaining enough weight, seek medical advice. This could be an allergy or a gluten intolerance.
• Their stress and anxiety level: have there been any changes recently (move, separation…) that could be stressing them out?

We recommend seeing your doctor if the abdominal pain is recurrent, chronic, or if it affects your child’s daily life (missing school, sleep problems, loss of appetite, fatigue…).

What should I do if my child has a stomach ache?

• Depending on the source of the problem, adjust their diet: prioritize fiber in case of constipation, foods that slow down bowel movements in case of diarrhea, and in all cases, plenty of water! If your child’s belly is tight, you can also gently massage it, always clockwise. For kids of all ages, a warm (not too hot) heating pad can also be a great ally.
• Use acetaminophen to relieve more significant pain (Doliprane®, Dafalgan®, Dolko®…)
• Seek medical advice if the pain persists. If needed, your doctor will prescribe additional tests. They may also recommend treatment to relieve your child (an antispasmodic, an intestinal coating agent, a probiotic, or activated charcoal, for example).

Like adults, children are exposed to stress and anxiety, which can cause stomach aches. If your child has a stomach ache and you can’t identify any of the physical symptoms above, it may be “functional” pain, meaning psychological. In that case, the most important thing is to be understanding in order to identify a possible cause for the pain. If the pain always occurs in the same circumstances (before going to the nanny, daycare, or school…), there may have been a triggering factor.

Sometimes it can be an event that seems completely trivial to you but isn’t to your child. Even if they’re very young, your words can comfort them. In summary, stomach aches in children can have many causes and should never be brushed off. The key is to watch for warning signs and observe how symptoms evolve. If you have any doubts, if the pain is recurrent, or if it affects your child’s daily life, don’t hesitate to consult your healthcare professional.

**

Photo credits: LightFieldStudios | Peakstock | ionadidishvili

This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.