Stomach Pains In Kids – Causes & Remedies

Quick Answer

Most stomach pain in children is mild and settles on its own, but some causes are serious and need urgent care. Pet dard is one of the most common complaints in childhood, and in most cases, it’s caused by gas, constipation, or minor infections. However, knowing when stomach pain needs a doctor is important. This guide helps you understand causes, try home remedies, and know when to seek help.

Babies under 3 months: any fever (100.4°F / 38°C or above), refusing feeds, a tense or swollen tummy, green (bile) vomiting, or persistent crying is a same-day emergency. Do not wait or try home remedies — see a doctor immediately.

What Causes Stomach Pain in Children? (Pet Dard Kyun Hota Hai)

Most Common Causes (Usually NOT Serious)

Cause	Why It Happens	Signs
Gas/Bloating	Swallowing air, certain foods	Distended tummy, passing gas, relief after burping/farting
Constipation	Low fiber, dehydration	Hard stools, pain before bowel movement, relief after potty
Indigestion	Overeating, eating fast	Pain after meals, nausea
Stomach flu (viral)	Viral infection	Vomiting, diarrhea, fever, affects whole family
Food intolerance	Lactose intolerance, etc.	Pain after specific foods
Stress/Anxiety	School, exams, social	Recurring pain, no physical cause found
Hunger	Skipped meals	Before meals, better after eating

Less Common but Important Causes

Cause	When to Suspect
UTI (urinary infection)	Pain with frequent/burning urination
Appendicitis	Pain in lower RIGHT side, getting worse
Worm infestation	Recurring pain, itchy bottom, visible worms
Food allergy	After specific foods, with rash/breathing issues
Strep throat	Sore throat + stomach pain + fever
Kidney stones	Severe pain, blood in urine (rare in children)

Causes by Age

Age	Common Causes
0-6 months	Colic, gas, reflux, cow’s milk protein allergy
6 months - 2 years	Constipation, gas, teething, infections
2-5 years	Constipation, UTI, worms, stress, infections
5-12 years	Constipation, stress/anxiety, infections, appendicitis
Teens	Stress, menstrual pain (girls), constipation, infections

Symptoms to Watch For (Lakshan)

Signs of Stomach Pain in Children

How babies show stomach pain:

• Crying, especially pulling legs up

• Refusing feeds

• Distended (swollen) tummy

• Arching back

• Unsettled, won’t be comforted What older children may report:

• “My tummy hurts” (pet dard)

• Pointing to different areas

• Nausea

• Not wanting to eat

• Lying in fetal position

Location Can Give Clues

Location	Possible Causes
Around belly button	Most common, usually minor
Lower right side	Could be appendicitis - URGENT if severe
Upper middle	Indigestion, reflux
Lower area	Constipation, UTI, menstrual (girls)
All over/changing	Often minor, could be gastroenteritis

When to See a Doctor

EMERGENCY - Call 112 (national emergency) or 108 (ambulance) / go to the nearest hospital NOW if:

• Severe pain (child screaming, can’t be distracted)
• Pain in lower RIGHT side that’s getting worse
• Blood in vomit or stool
• Green (bile) vomiting
• Tummy is hard and very tender
• Child looks very sick, pale, lethargic
• Fever with severe belly pain
• Signs of dehydration (no urine 6+ hours, no tears, dry mouth)
• Recent tummy injury
• Can’t walk due to pain

See Doctor Soon if:

• Pain lasting more than 24 hours
• Vomiting for more than 24 hours
• Fever with stomach pain
• Pain with urination
• Recurring stomach aches (3+ times in 3 months)
• Weight loss
• Pain waking child from sleep
• Blood in stool (even small amount)

Usually OK to Manage at Home:

• Mild pain around belly button
• Pain with gas passing, relieved after
• Pain before bowel movement (constipation)
• Brief stomach upset after eating too much
• Stomach flu with mild symptoms

Home Remedies (Gharelu Upchar)

Under 6 months: give nothing by mouth except breast milk or formula. Do not give ajwain water, ghee, hing water, or any other oral remedy to a baby under 6 months — discuss any tummy concern with your pediatrician.

For Gas and Bloating

• Bicycle legs: For babies, move legs in cycling motion
• Burping: Ensure baby burps after feeds
• Warm compress: Warm (not hot) water bottle on tummy, over clothing, never directly on a baby’s skin
• Massage: Gentle clockwise tummy massage
• Hing (asafoetida): Applied around the belly button (not given orally to babies). Widely used but no proven benefit; discuss with your pediatrician.
• Ajwain (carom seeds): Ajwain water (boiled, cooled), for older children only. Widely used but no proven benefit; discuss with your pediatrician.

For Constipation

• Hydration: Plenty of water
• Fiber: Fruits (papaya, prunes), vegetables, whole grains
• Prunes/prune juice: Natural laxative (for children over 1 year)
• Movement: Physical activity helps
• Isabgol (psyllium): For older children, with plenty of water; check dose with your pediatrician
• Warm water with ghee: Traditional remedy — widely used but no proven benefit; discuss with your pediatrician

For Indigestion

• Rest after meals
• Small, frequent meals
• Avoid heavy, oily food
• Jeera (cumin) water — widely used but no proven benefit; discuss with your pediatrician
• Mint tea (older children) — widely used but no proven benefit; discuss with your pediatrician

For Stomach Flu

• WHO-ORS (Electral): A few sips after EVERY loose motion. Use proper ORS, not homemade sugar-salt water or sports drinks.
• Continue feeding: Don’t starve the child! Keep breastfeeding for babies; offer normal age-appropriate food for older children.
• Easy foods: Banana, curd-rice, khichdi, suji (semolina) porridge, dal-rice, plain rice. (The old “BRAT” diet is no longer recommended as the only diet — a normal balanced diet recovers the gut faster.)
• Zinc: Doctors often advise a 14-day course of zinc for diarrhoea in children (per IAP/WHO) — ask your pediatrician for the right dose.
• Probiotics: Curd may help
• Rest

General Relief

• Warm compress on tummy
• Rest lying down
• Distraction (mild pain)
• Comfortable clothing (not tight)
• Avoid triggering foods

Foods to Give vs Avoid

When Child Has Stomach Pain

Give	Avoid
Plain khichdi	Spicy food
Banana	Fried food
Rice	Dairy (if lactose intolerant)
Toast	Citrus fruits
Clear soups	Heavy meals
ORS (if diarrhea)	Sugary drinks
Curd (if no dairy issue)	Junk food

Prevention (Rokthaam)

Dietary Tips

• Fiber: Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains daily
• Hydration: Adequate water intake
• Balanced meals: Don’t skip meals, don’t overeat
• Slow eating: Chew properly
• No lying down after meals: Wait at least 30 minutes

Hygiene

• Hand washing: Before meals, after toilet
• Clean food: Properly washed, cooked
• Safe water: Boiled/filtered water
• Deworming: Every 6 months (as per doctor)

Lifestyle

• Regular exercise/activity
• Routine bathroom times: Encourage regular potty
• Manage stress: Talk about worries
• Good sleep: Adequate rest (neend poori)

When Stomach Pain is Stress/Anxiety

Functional Abdominal Pain

Signs it might be stress-related:

• Recurring pain, all tests normal

• Worse before school/exams

• Better on weekends/holidays

• No weight loss or other symptoms

• Child may be anxious type How to help:

• Take pain seriously (it’s real to them!)

• Identify stressors

• Teach relaxation techniques

• Maintain normal routine

• Consider counseling if persistent

• School communication

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Bachche ko roz subah pet dard hota hai, school ke pehle. Kya karun?

A: Morning stomach pain before school often indicates stress/anxiety or constipation. If child is fine on weekends, stress is likely cause - take it seriously, talk about worries, meet teachers. If daily, could be constipation - ensure good breakfast, fiber, bathroom time before school. See doctor to rule out physical causes if persistent. Both are manageable!

Q: Bachche ko khana khane ke baad pet mein dard hota hai. Allergy hai?

A: Pain after eating can be: indigestion (eating too fast, too much), food intolerance (not allergy - like lactose intolerance), constipation (triggered by eating), or sometimes food allergy (rare, usually has other symptoms like hives). Keep a food diary - note what was eaten and when pain occurs. See doctor if consistent pattern emerges. Try smaller, slower meals first.

Q: Chhoti si baat pe bachcha kehta hai pet dard hai. Bahana hai kya?

A: Children rarely fake stomach pain completely! Even “attention-seeking” pain is telling you something - maybe they’re stressed, anxious, or need connection. Don’t dismiss it as “bahana.” Check for physical causes first. If tests normal, the pain may be real but stress-related (functional pain). Acknowledge their feelings while maintaining normal routine.

Q: Pet dard mein kya khilana chahiye?

A: For active stomach pain: bland, easy-to-digest foods - plain khichdi, banana, rice, toast, clear soups. Avoid: spicy, oily, heavy foods, dairy (temporarily). Small frequent meals better than large ones. If diarrhea: add ORS, continue feeding. Once better: gradually return to normal diet. Hydration is key - water, ORS, clear fluids.

Q: Bachche ke pet mein keede hain - kaise pata chalega?

A: Signs of worms: recurring tummy pain, itchy bottom (especially at night), disturbed sleep (raat ko jagta hai), visible worms in stool or around bottom, decreased appetite, weight loss. Common in India! See doctor for confirmation and proper deworming medicine (Albendazole). After treatment, deworm whole family. Prevention: hand hygiene, clean food/water, cut nails short.

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This article was reviewed by Babynama Pediatricians. Last updated: January 2025

Disclaimer: This article is for general information for parents in India and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Dosing, vaccine schedules, and treatment should follow IAP (Indian Academy of Pediatrics) guidance and your own pediatrician’s advice. Always consult a qualified doctor for your child’s specific situation. In an emergency, call 112 (national emergency) or 108 (ambulance) or go to the nearest hospital.

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