Gas is a common occurrence in children of all ages and generally is nothing to be alarmed about. Like adults, 2-year-olds can get gas from eating certain foods. Some foods are more likely to make a child gassier than others. Make lifestyle adjustments to help minimize gas problems for your child.
Expert Insight
Apples, pears, peaches, ice cream, milk, whole-wheat bread, broccoli and beans are among the foods that can make you gassy. Drinking through a straw, especially sodas and carbonated drinks, and sucking on hard candy also promote gas in young children. Keep track of what your child eats so that when gassiness hits, you have clues to the cause.
Food Allergies
Gas in a 2-year-old that's accompanied by intense pain, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting or fever may indicate a food allergy or lactose intolerance. Peanuts, shellfish, milk and eggs are among the top offenders when it comes to food allergies in kids. Allergic reactions usually start shortly after a particular food is eaten and will vary in severity.
Lactose Intolerance is caused by insufficient amounts of an enzyme called lactase, which leaves the body unable to digest lactose, a sugar contained in milk products. Over-the-counter tablets or drops containing the lactase enzyme can make dairy products easier to digest. Feeding your child non-dairy sources of calcium -- such as calcium-fortified breads and juices or oranges -- can be beneficial if you eliminate dairy from your child's diet.
Considerations
When a 2-year-old begins to develop the ability to control his bowel movements, he may spontaneously pass gas less frequently than in the past. The ability to hold in gas for longer stretches of time may result in a gas buildup that may be more obvious when it's finally passed. In this case, gassiness may be attributed to normal development.
Outlook
Over-the-counter antacids or anti-gas remedies may help relieve gas that causes discomfort or pain, explains BabyCenter.com. Check with your health-care provider if you are concerned about gas in your 2-year-old. Drinking several glasses of water won't stop gas production, but it may prevent constipation, abdominal pain and discomfort passing stools. Teach your child to eat slowly and chew food thoroughly to minimize gas problems.
References
- KidsHealth.org; Digestive System; May 2010
- Children's Hospital Wisconsin: Common Children's Digestive Problems
- Mayo Clinic; Gas and Gas Pains; April 2011
- BabyCenter.com: Is it Normal for My Toddler to Pass A Lot of Gas?
- BabyCenter.com: Gas Pain
- Mayo Clinic; Lactose Intolerance: Lifestyle and Home Remedies; August 2011
