The material provided below is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. You should always seek medical advice before consuming any new medicines or supplements.
The first step in supporting our child’s digestive health when they’re experiencing tummy troubles is identifying the cause behind it. Below are three of the most common causes of occasional digestive upset in kids, and tips to help keep them feeling good inside.
Remember, you and your pediatrician know your child’s medical history best. Never hesitate to call your doctor if you think there is a serious issue.
Cause #1: The Diet & Digestion Connection
Diet and food sensitivity is one of the main culprits behind occasional digestive upset in children.1
Try…Eliminating potential “trigger” foods from your child’s diet for at least 30 days. Then slowly begin reintroducing the foods while monitoring how their digestive system responds. If you are eliminating more than one food, wait at least three days after reintroducing each food before trying another.2
Cause #2: Stress & Stomach Aches
Just as many adults experience occasional digestive upset in stressful situations, some kids are affected in the same way. Kids experiencing stress may exhibit physical signs, such as increased gas, bloating and occasional diarrhea.
Try…Getting regular exercise. The unstructured exercise of outdoor play in particular can help reduce stress in kids while also increasing their metabolic rate and introducing them to the beneficial microbes found in dirt and soil, both of which can help with digestion.3
Cause #3: Travel & The Tummy
New environments, irregular hours, an interrupted schedule—all of these are common factors of travel and all are common causes of kids’ occasional digestive upset.
Try…Drinking lots of water. It’s easy to get dehydrated during days of hectic travel, especially in and out of varying climates and airports. Proper hydration is essential to digestive health, including eliminating waste and flushing out toxins.4
Bonus Tip: Take a Probiotic
A daily probiotic may help children maintain a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria in their digestive system, which can help reduce occasional digestive upset.* Culturelle® Kids Purely Probiotic® Packets are formulated to help safely populate the digestive tract with good bacteria to support a healthy digestive system in children.* Culturelle® Kids Purely Probiotic Packets contain 100% Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, the proven effective probiotic strain⌘. Each flavorless packet contains five billion live active cultures (CFUs), and is flavorless, travel-friendly, and easy to mix in your child’s favorite drink.
Making sure your child is getting the right foods, fitness, and ample fluids, along with taking a daily probiotic like Culturelle® Kids, can help get their digestive system on track!*
1 Foods That Cause Excessive Gas. http://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health/foods-that-cause-excessive-gas.aspx
2 Does Your Childe Need an Elimination Diet? http://www.organicauthority.com/does-your-child-need-an-elimination-diet/
3 7 Reasons Why Nature Exposure Makes for Strong Kids. http://environmentalpediatrics.com/7-reasons-why-nature-exposure-makes-for-strong-kids/
4 6 Benefits of Staying Hydrated. http://www.onemedical.com/blog/live-well/6-benefits-of-staying-hydrated/
