Abdominal Pain, Age 11 and Younger

Prevention

Abdominal pain in children can often be prevented.

• Abdominal pain in children is often caused by irregular bowel habits. Become familiar with your child's normal bowel patterns. Also, be aware of the size and consistency of your child's stools. This will help to determine whether constipation is a problem. For information on preventing constipation and establishing toilet training, see the topic Constipation, Age 11 and Younger.
• Try to make sure your child has regular eating habits. Overeating is a common cause of abdominal discomfort. Have your child eat slowly and stop when he or she feels full. For more information, see the topic Healthy Eating for Children.
• Swallowing air (aerophagia) can cause abdominal pain and a swollen abdomen. Your child may also have a lot of belching or flatus. Limit chewing gum and carbonated beverages to help prevent this. Many children swallow air when they are anxious or frightened.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: January 16, 2009
Medical Review:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Steven L. Schneider, MD - Family Medicine Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
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