5 Reasons Your Kid May Feel Bloated and How to Help (2024)

There are probably plenty of bloating gripes among your friends, but the talk is likely about their own too-tight jeans, not about their kids' bellies. The fact is, children can absolutely get a distended and bloated belly, too—plus all the discomfort that comes with it. They just don't have the words to tell you.

"Kids don't have the language to describe it as bloating," says Tamara Duker Freuman, RD, an expert in digestive health and the author of The Bloated Belly Whisperer. "They'll say they have a tummy ache or that their stomach hurts."

So if your child's stomach feels hard as a rock, or if they're complaining of belly pain and their tummy looks puffy, consider one of these possible causes. We also rounded up some expert-approved ways to ease their symptoms.

Is My Child Bloated?

First you need to determine if your child is actually bloated. Here are some common symptoms, according to Betsabe Petit, MD, a board-certified pediatrician at Pediatrix Urgent Care of Texas.

• Their stomach feels tight and full
• It's mildly painful
• Children may pass gas more frequently
• Their abdomen may look distended (rounded or swollen)

"It's normal and expected to pass gas six-20 times a day.However, when this frequency increases and we see their abdomen full and distended, it's very likely they arebloated," says Dr. Petit.

What Causes Bloating in Kids?

Bloating can have several different causes. Here, we talk about five common reasons for bloating in kids, plus ways to ease the discomfort.

Your child is swallowing air

Swallowing extra air, called aerophagia, can cause a few unpleasant problems for the gastrointestinal tract. Some of these symptoms include:

• Bloating
• Belching or flatulence
• Bubbly or gurgling tummy
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Distended belly from excess air

Some kids have a nervous habit of swallowing extra air when they're anxious or worried, says Freuman. Others may simply gulp extra if they're chewing gum, sucking on hard candies, or drinking carbonated beverages.

How to help: You can help your child cope with worries by teaching them deep breathing techniques. In the meantime, over-the-counter simethicone, the same ingredient in the gas drops you gave your child as a baby, can help them feel better. "Simethicone dissolves gas bubbles and prevents gas pockets in the intestine and stomach," says Dr. Petit. "Although it's considered safe, there's little evidence that it works. Avoid simethicone that contains sodium benzoate or benzoic acid."

Your child is constipated

It's a huge problem among kids but often goes unnoticed by parents, especially if kids are old enough to use the bathroom by themselves. One common trigger: Kids may withhold because they don't feel comfortable using the bathroom at school (or, for younger kids, are resisting potty training). That can lead to painful bowel movements, constipation, and a hard, bloated belly.

How to help: Freuman suggests showing your kids the Bristol Stool Chart. Sure, it will make them giggle, but it will also teach them what healthy poop looks like—and when to let you know that they're having issues.

Kids with chronic constipation should be seen by a pediatrician or gastrointestinal (GI) doctor. "If the stools are hard to pass, infrequent, or if the child is able to clog a toilet, talk to your pediatrician," adds Dr. Petit.

A few simple remedies to prevent constipation include:

• Eating more fiber like whole grains, berries, and peas
• Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated
• Staying active to help food move through the intestines more efficiently
• Sticking to an eating routine to help naturally create a bathroom schedule
  

Your child has food sensitivities, such as lactose intolerance

According to Dr. Petit, one of the most common causes of bloating in kids is "excessive intestinal gas caused by food intolerances." Gas is a natural byproduct of digestion, she says, but too much intestinal gas may cause abdominal distension and pain.

One frequent food intolerance in kids is lactose intolerance, an inability to properly digest the natural sugar in milk. The onset of lactose intolerance typically occurs during childhood or adolescence, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). But it can be tricky to pinpoint since the symptoms—including bloating, gas, and diarrhea—may not appear until 6-10 hours after lactose is consumed. So the milk your child had at breakfast may not bother them until dinnertime, says Freuman.

The biggest culprits for lactose intolerance are dairy foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt. But lots of processed foods also contain lactose and could be giving your child's tummy a tough time. A few foods to watch out for include:

• Breakfast cereals
• Prepackaged snacks
• Hot dogs and lunch meats
• Baked goods like pancakes, cookies, and cakes
  

How to help: If you suspect lactose intolerance, talk to your child's pediatrician about getting a clinical diagnosis. Most of the time, they'll suggest eliminating dairy from their diet, and then gradually adding dairy back to see if there's a change and what amount a person can tolerate. They might also conduct a hydrogen breath test; this detects hydrogen in your child's breath before and after they consume lactose.

"If you switch to a dairy-free diet, be sure to provide enough calcium-rich food such as salmon and sardines, broccoli and kale, or yogurt with active cultures," says Dr. Petit.

Your child has trouble digesting certain foods

Your child's diet might trigger excess gas and bloating. Some carbohydrates that aren't easily metabolized include fructose (found in many fruits and veggies), as well as artificial sweeteners like sorbitol. "So be mindful that fruit juice, carbonated beverages, candies, or chewing gum may produce abdominal distension," says Dr. Peiti. Fatty and greasy foods are another common culprit, she adds.

Unfortunately, some healthy food may cause bloating as well. This includes cruciferous veggies such as cabbage, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and asparagus. "Other veggies that might cause gases are peppers, onions, peas, radishes, and, of course, beans," says Dr. Petit.

How to help: Dr. Petit encourages parents to introduce veggies one-by-one to determine which one causes abdominal symptoms, keeping a food diary to monitor the reaction. "Once you determine which food triggers your child's abdominal distension, avoid those triggers," she says. "I would also encourage the child to chew their food well, avoid strenuous activity after eating, and drink water instead of juice."

Your child has irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is often considered a grown-up problem. But many people with IBS had symptoms as children, says Freuman. Some kid-friendly foods are common triggers for either IBS-related constipation or diarrhea, such as milk, fruits high in fructose, processed snacks, and chocolate.

Common signs of IBS in kids can include:

• Change in bowel habits
• Diarrhea and/or constipation
• Chronic tummy aches
• Bloating, gas, and nausea
• Urgency when needing to have a bowel movement
• Feeling of incomplete bowel movements
• Mucus in stool
• Dizziness
• Loss of appetite
  

How to help: Talk to your child's pediatrician, who should conduct an evaluation. If they're diagnosed with IBS, working with a dietitian can help you figure out food changes that can ease symptoms. In some cases, it may be as simple as adding more fiber to your child's diet. Your provider might also recommend a low FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) diet to reduce IBS symptoms. Foodshigh in FODMAPs include wheat, rye, apples, pears, peaches, lentils, milk, yogurt, cheese, honey, and more.

When to Worry About Childhood Bloating

If your child is bloated, try not to worry. Althoughbloatingis uncomfortable, it's rarely serious.That said, you should see a health care provider if the bloating happens on a regular basis. Also talk to your doctor if the bloating is accompanied with other worrisome symptoms.

"If you have tried dietary restriction and your child does not improve—orif your child has another concerning symptom like bloody stools, failure to thrive, decreased appetite, frequent vomiting, dizziness, paleness, or intense pain—talk to your pediatrician," says Dr. Petit. "They can rule other conditions such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease." The doctor can also determine if your child's bloating is due to imbalances in theirgut microbiome.