Unfortunately, it’s a complaint parents hear all too often. While stomach aches can be a symptom of a sickness or allergies, often they are a result of painful gas and bloating. Poor eating habits can certainly lead to digestive discomfort.
Proper digestion is important not only to prevent stomach upset but also to create an environment for optimal absorption of essential, proteins, vitamins minerals, and other nutrients. The best way to prevent stomach aches in kids is to implement good eating habits.
Here are a few tips for tummy hurts
Chew. Chew. Chew.
Most often, kids are too busy to chew, often gulping down food, which results in large food particles entering the stomach. When this occurs, a child is more susceptible to digestive upset. Encourage your kids to chew their food well before it is swallowed—about 15 times each bite is enough.
Talk More. TV Less.
As adults, we know that eating while reading or watching television can result in over-consumption—our brains are too distracted to receive the “I’m full” signal. The same applies to kids.
Seat children at the table, turn off the TV and keep toys off out of reach. Use conversation to keep your children interested enough to stay still at the table, or sing songs to help them count how many times they’ve chewed each bite. This way a child will pay closer attention to his body signals and stop before overeating. Overeating can lead to uncomfortable feelings of fullness, and painful gas and bloating.
Limit Liquids.
Our stomachs produce hydrochloric acid and the enzyme pepsin, two things that are necessary in the digestive process. Hydrochloric acid stimulates the churning process that will turn food particles in the stomach into a liquid before it enters the small intestines and becomes absorbed into the bloodstream. Pepsin helps breakdown proteins. Drinking lots of liquid while eating can dilute both of these stomach juices and interfere with the digestive process. Limit liquids during meals, or encourage small sips.
If you are having trouble pinpointing what is causing your child’s tummy trouble, try recording what they eat in a food journal. Tracking their consumption can help in just three days. This one is free for download.
If tummy aches due occur, rest assured there is now an alternative to waiting it out…Tummy Calm®. Our great-tasting formula contains nine time-proven active ingredients, specially chosen to relax and soothe children’s delicate digestive systems. With a sweet, non-herbal taste that goes down easily, it works quickly and effectively.
Find out more at www.TummyCalm.com.
Guest writer, Jacqueline Lawrence is the creator of Colic Calm and Tummy Calm.
