How To Treat Stomach-Related Illnesses in Children

Tummy issues are one of the most frequent reasons parents take their kids to the pediatrician, says Leonel Rodriguez, M.D., pediatric gastroenterologist at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital. "Most children will experience some GI symptoms (like pain, nausea, vomiting) during their lives," he says. Stomach problems are also the fourth most common reason for emergency room visits among children, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

How Can You Treat Stomach Problems in Children?

Let's take a look at the most common tummy-related problems in kids and how best to treat them.

Spit-up

Parents can get easily distressed when their baby spits up, but the truth is, babies spit up—sometimes a lot! "Spitting up is common in babies and may be due to reflux, overfeeding, or inadequate burping," says Dr. Poinsett.

According to the Academy of American Pediatrics (AAP), treating spitting up isn't strictly necessary, if it's not a lot and the spitting up isn't bothering your baby. Sometimes feeding more frequently, so your baby doesn't become overfull, or positioning them upright after feedings, can help. However, if your baby's spit ups are more like projectile vomiting, or if there is any blood mixed into the spit-up, you should visit your pediatrician right away, notes the AAP.

Bloody stool

Finding blood in your baby or child's poop can definitely be scary. Thankfully, it is more common than most parents realize—and isn't always a serious issue. "It may be something as simple as constipation, with stool causing a small tear, or it could be a polyp or infection," says Dr. Regan. Still, you should always seek medical attention.

"Blood on the outside of the stool may be due to an anal fissure," says Dr. Poinsett. "Blood mixed with stool, however, may be due to a variety of issues." For this reason, you can and should speak to your child's pediatrician, as treatment options will vary depending on the cause.

Gas

Kids can get gassy for any number of reasons, including overeating, indigestion, or because of a food sensitivity they have. "Other causes of gas may be due to eating beans and inadequate digestion of lactose (sugar found in dairy products)," says Dr. Poinsett.

As for how you treat gas, it will vary—depending on the cause. Here are Dr. Poinsett's top tips for treating gas in kids: