Why Children Get Upset Tummies And How Supplements Can Help

Children are a joy of life. Full of wonder and excitement, but what happens when their happy-go-lucky charm is interrupted by digestive issues? Well, it’s no fun for them or you.

This article will help you understand the common reasons for tummy aches, and how to make them happy again. Hopefully, reading this will put you both on the right track, but if symptoms persist,  seek professional medical assistance immediately because it could be a symptom of an underlying issue that needs medical intervention.

Tummy aches are common in youngsters and most cases can be solved with a little tender loving care and forward-thinking about your child’s diet. Dietary supplements are an excellent way to be proactive about their health and maintain control, especially with picky eaters

So, let’s explore common complaints and turn those frowns upside down.

Where do tummy aches come from?

Not all children experience digestive problems for the same reason, so it is important to determine its cause before considering how to resolve it.

Common reasons for kids to get digestive issues that are not from a serious underlying medical complaint are…

• Viral infections
• Food intolerances
• Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER)
• Constipation
• Food Poisoning
• Emotional distress

Viral infections

Your child’s immunity constantly develops and learns from experience, which it lacks in their early, formative years. This makes children vulnerable and causes them to fall sick fairly often, especially if they are around other children.

Studies Show that kids who attend daycare centres are sick 2-3 times more than those who stay home. Playgrounds are considered breeding grounds for viral infections. When one child gets ill, it has a domino effect. Thankfully, they recover rather quickly, and their immunity develops.

Rotavirus and norovirus are leading causes of viral gastroenteritis in children, resulting in symptoms like diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach aches. It is unpleasant for both them and you - their caregiver.

Treatment focuses on rehydration (oral rehydration solutions) and supportive care. Studies show that supplementing gut-friendly bacteria like Bacillus Clausii may help shorten the duration of diarrhoea and can even prevent nosocomial diarrhoea - cases that require hospital intervention.

Food intolerances

Food intolerances commonly cause digestive issues in children. Intolerance is not the same as having an allergy, which is an acute adverse reaction to something ingested. For some children, allergies can be life-threatening, so this must be monitored closely.

Intolerance, also known as ‘Adverse Food Reaction’ (ADR) is characterised by difficulty in digesting particular foods.

Surprisingly, carbohydrates are among the most common foods that children react to.

The main culprits are typically…

• Lactose (found in dairy products)
• Sucrose (found in white table sugar and plant products like fruit - contains glucose)
• Glucose (found in sugar, plant products, potatoes, rice, pasta, and bread)
• Sorbitol (found in fruit, artificial sweeteners, drinks, and candy)
• Trehalose (found in mushrooms, seaweed, honey, shellfish, bacteria like yeast)
• FODMAPs (found in grains, seeds, nuts, legumes, lentils, plant products)

Children sometimes have rare genetic disorders, but more commonly intolerance is because they don’t produce enough enzymes like lactase, which breaks down lactose, or because they lack friendly gut bacteria that aid digestion, and their inability to digest or absorb them causes discomfort.

Studies show that supplementing gut-friendly bacteria can help your child develop their ability to process carbohydrates like lactose, but further research is needed to understand how to implement this.

Lactose intolerance and fructose malabsorption commonly cause bloating, gas, and abdominal pain after eating trigger foods.

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER)

GER occurs when stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus, causing heartburn, regurgitation, and stomach discomfort.

Common reasons children experience this are typically because of…

• Underdeveloped Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES)
• Overfeeding
• Dietary Factors
• Obesity
• Hiatal Hernia
• Food Allergies or Intolerances
• Delayed Gastric Emptying
• Positioning After Eating

LES happens because the muscle between the oesophagus and the stomach may be immature or weak, leading to frequent reflux as stomach contents easily flow back into the oesophagus. This is common for infants.

Children, particularly infants with small stomach capacity may be overwhelmed if overfed,  increasing the likelihood of reflux.

Acidic foods like tomatoes, citrus, fatty foods, and chocolate can worsen reflux in children by weakening the LES or increasing stomach acid, creating a vicious cycle. Cow’s milk protein can also irritate the digestive tract.

Excess weight puts pressure on the stomach, pushing acid and food into the oesophagus. A hiatal hernia, where part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm, disrupts LES function, leading to reflux. Make sure to monitor your child’s weight and check for irregularities around their abdomen.

If the stomach is slow to empty its contents, the risk of reflux increases by causing pressure to build up, forcing food and acid back into the oesophagus. The same is true if kids lie down immediately after eating, so it is always best to wait 45 minutes to an hour to let their food digest before letting them take a cosy nap.

The good news is that studies show that gut-friendly bacteria improve GER symptoms.

Constipation

Constipation in children is characterised by infrequent passing of stools (pooing) or discomfort in doing so. Common causes are normally due to…

• Low fibre intake
• Insufficient fluid intake
• Excessive dairy

Fibre is crucial for softening stools,  and promoting regular bowel movements. Diets low in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can cause constipation because of a lack of fibre. Fortunately, if you struggle to eat enough fibre you can supplement it with a psyllium substitute. Combining psyllium with probiotics can be a powerful weapon against constipation.

Hydration is also essential because the gut absorbs water to pass stools comfortably. When too dry, your child may experience discomfort and avoid using the toilet. This can distress them and cause more abdominal issues.

Too much cow's milk or dairy products can cause constipation, particularly in toddlers.

Emotional distress

Emotional distress is another leading cause of tummy aches in children. It creates a circular problem because being stressed causes digestive issues, but digestive issues cause stress and the problem reinforces itself.

This is partly because the gut contains a network of nerves and neurotransmitters, known as the Enteric Nervous System (ENS), which is responsible for signalling pain and discomfort to the brain.

Interestingly, the ENS is crucial to emotional well-being because 95% of serotonin - your happy hormone, is produced in the gut. Dopamine is too. So, when your child is sad and gets that awful feeling in their tummy, it has a knock-on effect on their digestive health (the same applies to adults).

Studies investigating how gut-friendly bacteria can treat depression and mental health are showing promising results, but more research is required to understand how to prescribe them.

Final thoughts

Children and their tummies are quite sensitive, so a cautious and mindful approach is necessary. Children’s guts are a blank canvas and if enough thought is put into developing a harmonistic ecosystem, they will grow into healthy adults with strong immune systems.

Enforcing positive eating habits can be difficult because children each have their preferences, and can be fussy and uncooperative, even if it’s for their greater good. Fortunately, supplementing gut-friendly bacteria offers a simpler way to give your child precisely what they need.

Biobalance makes it easy for busy mums to prioritise their family's health naturally. We know how challenging it can be to maintain healthy habits with a packed schedule. That’s why we developed a range of dietary supplements designed to support your child’s well-being without the hassle.