If your toddler is experiencing stomach pain after eating, one possibility is that he simply is eating too much for his little tummy to handle. However, some instances of stomach pain can be an indication of an allergy or an illness that might require a trip to your pediatrician.
Causes
Stomach pain after eating can be the result of gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu. The stomach flu can be a viral or bacterial infection and can range from mild to severe. Stomach pain after eating also can be the result of an allergy to food or milk. Food allergies sometimes show up during this time, when your toddler begins to eat a lot of different foods. Or she could be experiencing gas; according to the website AskDrSears, gas is the most common cause of abdominal pain in the absence of vomiting and diarrhea.
Other Symptoms
The conditions that can cause stomach pain in your toddler after he eats often also bring other symptoms that can help you identify the problem. The stomach flu often involves diarrhea or vomiting in addition to abdominal pain. Food allergies can also include diarrhea and vomiting, as well as rashes on his skin. Gas is the likely culprit if your toddler has persistent abdominal pain with no other apparent cause.
Testing
Often you can determine the cause of your toddler's stomach pain simply by evaluating her range of symptoms. If you are unsure what is causing her stomach pain, call her doctor. Her doctor might ask questions about her condition and what she last ate to pinpoint the problem, and he might want to evaluate her. If your doctor suspects an allergy, you might need to eliminate possible causes and slowly reintroduce them to see if the problems resurface.
Treatment
The stomach flu typically runs its course in anywhere from a few hours to a few days. In the meantime, you can help prevent your toddler from becoming dehydrated by offering him an electrolyte solution to replace fluids and minerals he might have lost while vomiting. To treat a food allergy, avoid the food that causes the stomach pain. To help relieve gas, try massaging your toddler's stomach to help move gas bubbles along. You can also have him sit in a warm bath.
Recommendations
If you are concerned about your toddler's stomach pain, do not hesitate to call her doctor. If the pain is severe, constant and accompanied by a fever, your toddler might be experiencing appendicitis and will need emergency care.
