7 Effective Home Remedies To Manage Gas Problems In Toddlers
A gas problem in toddlers is common and is seldom a cause of concern. Usually, it may not require any clinical analysis or treatment interventions. Instead, the mild discomfort due to gas is easily managed at home with simple remedies. However, if your toddler has been experiencing constant and unbearable gas pain, you must seek medical advice. This post tells you about the possible signs, causes, and remedies for gas in toddlers.
How Do You Know Your Toddler Has A Gas Problem?
Some of the common signs and symptoms often associated with gas in toddlers include:
- Uneasiness and increased discomfort.
- Difficulty in passing stool.
- Fussiness and colic even after proper feeding.
- Clenching his or her fist repeatedly.
- Increased burping.
- Frequent squirming.
- Pulling of legs towards the tummy.
Understanding the cause of the problem may ensure better and effective treatment.
Common Causes of Gas Problem In Toddlers
Gas formation or gas pain in toddlers may surface due to a host of reasons. The most common ones are listed here.
- Lactose intolerance: Lactose intolerance occurs when the small intestine does not produce or produces less lactase enzyme. A deficiency of lactase causes an inability to digest lactose, which is a natural sugar found in milk. A toddler with lactose intolerance can have gassiness on the consumption of milk and dairy products .
- Dietary choice: According to the University of Michigan Health System, cauliflower, cabbage, radish, carrots, onions, Brussels sprouts, eggplant, potatoes, green salads, and beans cause gas. Apricots, prunes, raisins, dried fruits, foods rich in bran, wheat germ, brown rice, whole wheat, cheese, citrus fruits, pears, and oatmeal also fall under this category .
- Fruit juice: Consumption of fruit juice in excess may lead to bloating and gassiness in some .
- Improper chewing: Gas problems may also surface if your toddler does not chew the food well while eating.
- Carbonated drinks:These beverages contain a significant amount of dissolved gases that may cause gas problems .
- Swallowing air: Eating food quickly can cause the ingestion of excess air, which may cause gassiness .
- Other causes :
- Intake of some medicines, like antibiotics
- Malabsorption and maldigestion of nutrients
- Medical reasons such as irritable bowel syndrome
Gassiness can be usually managed with some home care tips.
Home Care For Toddlers With Gas
The following tips may provide some relief for toddlers with gas problems .
- Bicycle motion: Lay your toddler on their back. Move their legs gently in a bicycle or pedaling motion. This motion may be helpful in releasing the gas.
- Warm bath: Giving your toddler a warm bath may reduce the gas at night.
- Check for bubbles: Bubbles in the milk or formula milk may be one of the underlying factors causing gas in toddlers. While feeding the formula milk to your toddler, make sure there are no bubbles in the milk. Also, adjust the nipple in such a way that the milk flow is neither too fast nor too slow.
- Tummy massage: Massaging your toddler’s tummy with some oil may also help release the gas, providing some comfort. However, do not exert too much pressure on the tummy while massaging.
- Warm compression: The application of warm compression on your toddler’s abdomen may also help reduce the gas.
- Avoid fruit juice and carbonated drinks: Give your toddler an assortment of fresh fruits instead of letting them have fruit juices and aerated beverages.
- Feeding position: Place the toddler’s head higher than the tummy while feeding from the breast or the bottle. You can try other positions too, and check what works the best in reducing gassiness in the toddler.
When To Seek Medical Care?
Pediatric care and medications may be needed in the following cases.
- The toddler is cranky and inactive.
- The toddler also has severe constipation.
- They have disturbed sleep because of the problem.
- The toddler develops mild to moderate fever.
- The gas problem is causing a loss of appetite.
- The toddler cries incessantly, resulting in colic. However, there isn’t much scientific evidence to suggest that gas may cause colic .
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you give OTC medicines for gas to toddlers?
No. Do not administer over-the-counter medicines and antacids to a toddler without consulting a pediatrician. Over-the-counters may not be made for children, and could cause harm.
Gas pain in toddlers is a manageable digestive problem that is usually not a cause for concern. Ingestion of gassy foods, lactose intolerance, improper chewing, swallowing air, and intake of antibiotics are some of its common causes. Giving your toddler a warm bath, moving their legs in bicycling motion, and tummy massage are simple home remedies that may provide relief. However, prompt pediatric consultation is required if the toddler exhibits signs such as extreme discomfort, disturbed sleep, appetite loss, and fever.
Subscribe-
Childproofing Your Home for Your Toddler Q-tip If you want to discourage your young climber from scaling the pantry shelves and kitchen counters, you might find it worthwhile to store foods that are safe for her on lower shelves and in lower cabinets
-
Car seats are necessary to transport your small children safely. Each state has its own law governing the age or weight a child must be before he can stop using the car seat. During the years the child uses the car seat, it is bound to become dirty.
-
Children can be injured by falls, however the risk of falls can be prevented. Here are some tips for keeping your toddler safe from falls. Install gates at the bottom and top of any stairs until your toddler can use them easily.
