Posted 08/23/2025

Why Every Parent Dreads the Words: “My Stomach Hurts”

If you have kids, you know the drill. One second they are bouncing off the couch, the next they are curled up saying, “Mom, my tummy hurts.” Cue the panic: is it gas, something they ate, or that scary word appendicitis?

The good news: most tummy trouble in kids ages 3 and up is not serious. The bad news: it is still messy, exhausting, and usually happens at 2 a.m.

The Most Common Reasons for Tummy Aches

The Stomach Bug (gastroenteritis)

Viruses like norovirus spread faster than birthday party cupcakes. Kids may vomit, have diarrhea, or both. Most cases are gone in a few days.
Example: Your child eats two slices of pizza at a sleepover, then suddenly you are scrubbing the carpet.

Constipation

Yes, poop problems cause many tummy aches. If your child goes less often, has hard stools, or strains, constipation could be the reason.
Example: Your child eats macaroni and cheese every day and has not touched a vegetable since summer. That belly ache may be from traffic in the intestines.

Functional or Repeat Stomach Pain

These are belly aches that keep coming back, often without a dangerous cause. Stress, school, or food triggers may play a role.
Example: That “mystery stomachache” that appears every Monday before math class.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Belly pain plus pain when urinating, fever, or frequent trips to the bathroom can signal a urinary infection.

Food Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is a common cause. Bloating, cramps, and loose stool after milk or ice cream are clues.

The Big Red Flags Parents Should Not Ignore

Call a provider right away if your child has:

• Pain that starts and then gets worse, especially on the right side
• Green or bilious vomit
• Bloody stool or black, tarry stool
• High fever with tummy pain
• A rigid or very tender belly
• Diabetes with vomiting or belly pain (check ketones)

These could mean appendicitis, a bowel blockage, or diabetic ketoacidosis. They are rare but serious and always worth checking.

What You Can Do at Home

Sip, Don’t Chug

Offer tiny sips every few minutes. Half-strength apple juice works for mild dehydration. If your child is more dehydrated, use an electrolyte drink like Pedialyte.

Feed Normally Once They Want Food

Old “BRAT diet only” advice is outdated. If your child wants toast, chicken, or rice, let them eat when ready.

Watch Poop Patterns

If belly aches keep coming back, think about constipation. Daily water, fiber, and sometimes a safe stool softener like Miralax can help.

Parent Pro Tips That Most Families Don’t Hear

• Hand sanitizer does not kill stomach bugs. Soap and water is the hero.
• Keep kids home for 48 hours after symptoms stop or the whole class will have it by Friday.
• Probiotics aren’t a quick fix Large U.S. trials and major medical guidelines show they don’t reliably shorten stomach bugs in kids, so skip them unless your provider recommends¹–⁴
• Tummy aches are not always from the stomach. Strep throat or pneumonia can show up first as belly pain.

A Quick Story for Parents

Last winter, a mom called me at midnight:
“My daughter says her stomach hurts. She just threw up on the dog. What do I do?”

It turned out to be just norovirus. Because Mom noticed the vomiting was quick, diarrhea followed, and her child could still sip fluids, she saved herself a trip to the emergency room.

Moral: not every tummy ache is an emergency, but learning the right clues helps you decide fast.

When to Call Little Steps Pediatric House Calls

Call if your child:

• Cannot keep fluids down
• Has severe or one-sided belly pain
• Shows any of the red flag symptoms above
• Or you just need peace of mind

I will bring the stethoscope to your living room so you can avoid waiting rooms and stress.

Final Word for Parents

Tummy trouble in kids is stressful, smelly, and often sleepless. But with a few tricks like tiny sips, feeding normally, checking for constipation, and knowing the red flags, you can handle most cases at home. And when you are not sure, I am just a call away. Google pediatric House Calls near me. We service stomach pain for children in Oak Park, Chicago and surrounding communities.

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References

Su GL, Ko CW, Bercik P, et al. AGA Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Role of Probiotics in the Management of Gastrointestinal Disorders. Gastroenterology. 2020;159(2):697-705. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.05.059.

Freedman SB, Williamson-Urquhart S, Farion KJ, et al. Multicenter Trial of a Combination Probiotic for Children with Gastroenteritis. N Engl J Med. 2018;379(21):2015-2026. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1802597.

Collinson S, Deans A, Padua-Zamora A, et al. Probiotics for Treating Acute Infectious Diarrhoea. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;12:CD003048. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003048.pub4.

Shane AL, Mody RK, Crump JA, et al. 2017 Infectious Diseases Society of America Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Infectious Diarrhea. Clin Infect Dis. 2017;65(12):e45-e80. doi:10.1093/cid/cix669.

Preidis GA, Weizman AV, Kashyap PC, Morgan RL. AGA Technical Review on the Role of Probiotics in the Management of Gastrointestinal Disorders. Gastroenterology. 2020;159(2):708-738.e4. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.05.060.

Alsabri M, Rath S, Abo-Elnour DE, et al. Efficacy of Probiotics in Reducing the Duration and Severity of Acute Gastroenteritis in Children: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2025. doi:10.1002/jpn3.70172.

Săsăran MO, Mărginean CO, Adumitrăchioaiei H, Meliț LE. Pathogen-Specific Benefits of Probiotic and Synbiotic Use in Childhood Acute Gastroenteritis: An Updated Review of the Literature. Nutrients. 2023;15(3):643. doi:10.3390/nu15030643.