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Chapter List
- Introduction to Home Remedies for Children
- Acne Steps to a Clearer Complexion
- Aggressiveness Taking the Menace Out of Dennis
- Anal Itching Strategies to Stop the Scratching
- Anemia Upping the Energy Level
- Animal and Human Bites Tactics When Teeth Bring Tears
- Asthma Managing the Wheezing
- Attention Problems a Matter of Focus
- Bad Breath the Less Scent the Better
- Bed-Wetting for Sheets Like the Sahara
- Bee Stings This Season Be Ready
- Black Eyes Ways to Soothe a Shiner
- Bladder Control Problems Wet No More
- Blisters Pinwork and Prevention
- Boils Getting Them to Simmer Down
- Bottlefeeding Finding the Formula for Success
- Breastfeeding No-Problem Nursing
- Bronchitis Relieve the Chest Congestion
- Bruises Treatments from the School of Hard Knocks
- Burns Cool Ways to Treat Them
- Burping An Easy Exit for Excess Air
- Canker Sores Ousting the Ouch from the Mouth
- Cavities Learning to Live Without
- Chapped Lips Soothe That Kisser
- Chapped Skin the Best of the Balms
- Chickenpox Tips for Minimal Misery
- Cholesterol Keep It under Control
- Colds the Fewer Caught the Better
- Cold Sores Clearing Up a Pesky Problem
- Colic Calming the Chronic Crier
- Constipation the Route to Regularity
- Coughing at Night Hints for Sounder Sleep
- Cradle Cap Coping with a Crusty Crown
- Crankiness Getting Away from the Whine Routine
- Croup Chasing off a Scary Cough
- Crying How to Still the Sobs
- Cuts Scrapes and Scratches Remedies
- Dandruff Putting the Hex on Telltale Specks
- Dawdling Methods to Get Things Moving
- Diaper Rash Soothing Babys Ruddy Buns
- Diarrhea When a Minor Has a Major Mess
- Dizziness Steps to Stop the Spinning
- Ear Infections Countering Chronic Flare-Ups
- Earlobe Infections Help for a Piercing Problem
- Eating Problems How to Handle the Picky Eater
- Eczema Strategies to Stop the Itching
- Fatigue Tips to Recharge the Battery
- Fears Tactics to Take the Scare Out
- Fever What to Do When Your Kid Has a Temp
- Flatulence How to Lessen the Gas
- Flu Ways to Soothe the Symptoms
- Food Allergies Keeping An Eye on the Edibles
- Foot Odor Fresh Solutions to Sole Pollutions
- Foot Pain Tips to Take Away the Ache
- Forgetfulness Measures That Add to Recall
- Frostnip Bundling Up and Thawing Out
- Gagging Hints for Smoother Swallowing
- Gas Pains How to Burst the Bubbles
- Growing Pains What It Takes to Stop the Aches
- Hair Tangles Keeping Locks in Line
- Hangnails Fix-Ups for Fingertips
- Hay Fever and Allergies Getting the Better of Allergy Onslaughts
- Headaches How Doctors Spell Relief
- Heat Exhaustion How to Cope with Summers Sizzlers
- Hiccups Help Halt Those Hics
- Hives Giving Bumps the Bump Off
- Impetigo How to Stop the Spread
- Insect and Spider Bites Antidotes for Pest Attacks
- Lactose Intolerance Handling the Dairy Dilemma
- Laryngitis and Hoarseness Clearing Up the Husky Whisper
- Lazy Eye Getting Vision Back on Track
- Lice An All-Out Attack to Clear the Hair
- Marine Stings and Cuts Remedies for Seaside Perils
- Measles Going the Distance with the Virus
- Motion Sickness Taming the Upsets
- Mumps Help for the Pain and Swelling
- Muscle Aches and Cramps Soothing Action That Brings Relief
- Nail-Biting Backing off a Nervous Habit
- Negativity Upbeat Ways to Brighten An Outlook
- Night Terrors Taking the Fear Out of Bedtime Hours
- Nosebleeds Staunch Techniques to Stop the Flow
- Overweight How to Handle Chubbiness
- Pinkeye Chasing the -Itis Out
- Pinworms When An Itchy Bottom Signals Problems
- Stopping the Scratching Before It Starts
- Posture Problems Straight Talk About Slouching
- Prickly Heat An Array of Rash Approaches
- Ringworm a Round-Up of Remedies
- Runny Nose Drying Up the Drip
- School Refusal Help for the Reluctant
- Separation Anxiety Parting Without Such Sorrow
- Shyness Guiding the Way to Social Skills
- Sibling Rivalry
- Side Stitches So Long to the Pain
- Sleep Problems
- Snoring Measures to Silence the Sawing
- Sore Throat Soothe the Scratchiness
- Splinters Tips for Easy Extraction
- Sprains and Strains a Line Up to Halt the Pain
- Stomachache Comfort for a Tender Tummy
- Stress Helping Your Child Cope
- Stuffy Nose How to Break Up Nasal Gridlock
- Stuttering Smoothing the Way to Surer Speech
- Sunburn Ways to Counter Risky Rays
- Swimmers Ear Safeguards Against a Perennial Problem
- Swollen Glands When Infection Sends Signals
- Teething Relief for Sensitive Gums
- Temper Tantrums Techniques to Tame the Rage
- Thumb-Sucking Helpful Hints to Break the Habit
- Tick Bites Tactics to Stop the Tiny Attacks
- Toilet Training Problems
- Toothache Making Molar Misery Milder
- Tooth Grinding Ways to Halt the Gnashing
- Tooth Knocked Out Fast Action to Save a Smile
- Tv Addiction Getting Tube Time to a Minimum
- Video Game Addiction Tips to Tame the Kid Whos Hooked
- Vomiting How to Quell the Queasiness
- Warts Causes Quirks and Cures
- Tips on Safety
- Bike Safety
- Burn Prevention
- Car Seat Safety
- Choking
- Drowning
- Electric Shock
- Fall Proofing Your Home
- Firearms
- Fire Safety
- Frostbite
- Playgrounds and Sports
- Poisons
- Snakebite
- Suffocation
- Bleeding
- Breathing Problems and Suffocation
- Minor Burns
- Severe Burns
- Choking3
- Convulsions Without Fever
- Drowning3
- Electric Shock Injuries
- Eye Injuries
- Falls
- Finger Or Toe Injuries
- Frostbite3
- Head Injuries
- Poisoning
- Snakebite3
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Gas Pains How to Burst the Bubbles
GAS PAINS
How to Burst the Bubbles
Babies get it, toddlers get it, school-age kids and teenagers get it. And so do parents. Having gas is part of the human condition. You could call it a great equalizer.
Gas can be caused by swallowed air, gas-producing foods or certain disorders that interfere with the body's ability to absorb food. Whatever its source, air in the gastrointestinal tract must come out--either through burping or by passing gas.
All babies are somewhat gassy, since they tend to suck in air as they breastfeed or drink from a bottle. 'Some babies handle gas without a problem. But others, who may have an immature or spastic gastrointestinal tract, feel uncomfortable as they digest their food,' notes Michael J. Pettei, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of pediatrics at Albert Einstein School of Medicine of Yeshiva University in New York City, and co-chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition at Schneider Children's Hospital of the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York.
'A baby should soon grow out of the problem on his own, but during the first few months of life, he may be very uncomfortable. He may draw up his legs and cry inconsolably whenever he feels the gas pain,' Dr. Pettei says. 'Some people call this condition colic--though not all 'colicky' babies have gastrointestinal problems.'
On occasion, older kids may have gas-related stomach pain that lasts for a couple of minutes. If the pain persists or is prolonged, you should consult your pediatrician, says Abraham Jelin, M.D., assistant chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and director of pediatric gastroenterology at Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York City.
Infants and older children may get relief with some of the following gasreducing tips.
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| When to See the Doctor Ordinary gas pains should dissipate without much fanfare, says Abraham Jelin, M.D., assistant chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and director of pediatric gastroenterology at the Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York City. However, a persistent stomachache, especially on the lower right side of the abdomen--which might indicate appendicitis--should be brought to your physician's attention. 'If your child looks very ill; complains of acute, persistent or chronic pain; or has pain accompanied by fever, vomiting, diarrhea or weight loss, consult your physician,' says Dr. Jelin. |
For Infants
Try a different bottle. There are many different baby bottle designs, and there are also different sizes and shapes of nipples. If gas is a problem, try switching bottles, nipples or both. 'Some kids may swallow less air when they drink from the combination of nipple and bottle that's right for them. So experiment with a few different varieties,' suggests Dr. Pettei.
Feed at a 45-degree angle. Babies should be held semi-upright, at a 45-degree angle, when being fed, says Dr. Jelin. ' Your baby still swallows air in this position, but the air that is swallowed forms an air bubble at the top of the stomach,' he explains. The advantage to this is twofold: You'll have an easier time burping your baby, and there's less likelihood air will get past the stomach to the intestinal tract where it will cause more discomfort, Dr. Jelin says.
Burp baby in a vertical position. Dr. Jelin recommends that you burp your baby by holding her in an upright position. Lift her so her belly rests against your chest with her head on your shoulder. In that position, gas stays above the liquid in the stomach and is easily burped out. 'Avoid burping your baby in a horizontal position such as across your knees,' says Dr. Jelin, 'since that makes it easier for gas to pass from the stomach to the small intestine.'
Take a burp break. A baby who is troubled by gas often benefits from being burped halfway through a feeding, says Dr. Pettei. When your baby takes a pause from the bottle or breast, lift her gently to the upright position and see if she'll burp.
Don't feed too much. Encouraging your baby to eat more than he wants can make gas problems worse. 'Let the baby determine how much he wants to eat,' Dr. Pettei advises, 'since overfeeding will only make him more uncomfortable.'
For Older Children
Slow down the pace at the table. Older kids may have gas pain if they race through their meal and swallow a lot of air, says Eileen Behan, R.D., a registered dietitian and consultant at Sea Coast Family Practice in Exeter, New Hampshire, and author of Microwave Cooking for Your Baby and Child. 'Check out your own eating speed, too,' suggests Behan. ' Your child may have learned his wolfish mode of eating from you. In that case, it will do everyone good if you deliberately try to slow down and enjoy the meal.'
Scrutinize the veggies. Certain foods are high in complex carbohydrates that are not completely digested in the small bowel. These tend to produce gas. 'Cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage and broccoli are regarded as common offenders because they do cause some people to have a lot of gas,' Behan says.
'If one or all of these vegetables are gas-pain triggers for your child, he'll start to feel discomfort about two to four hours after eating,' she says. Using this guideline, you and your child may be able to pinpoint the troublemaker, and cut back on portion size. 'These vegetables are really very nutritious and good for you. So if your child enjoys them, try to cut back rather than cut them out,' she suggests.
Soak the beans. To reduce gassiness from dried beans, soak them for several hours in a few changes of water before cooking, advises Behan. 'Soaking and rinsing beans does not detract from their protein content,' she adds.
Drop in with relief. A few drops of an enzyme product called Beano sprinkled on beans just before eating may also help prevent gas, suggests Behan. Beano is available at health food stores and pharmacies.
Avoid sorbitol. Sorbitol, an artificial sweetener found in many sugar-free foods, including some chewing gums and mints, can cause a lot of distension and gas, says Dr. Jelin. If gas pain is a problem for your child, try eliminating foods made with sorbitol from his diet.
Guard against air gulping. 'Anything that causes a child to swallow air may contribute to gas,' Dr. Jelin says. So your child may need to cut back on chewing gum, sucking on hard candies and drinking carbonated beverages (especially through a straw).
Check out the dairy connection. In older children, gas may also be caused by lactose intolerance, says Dr. Pettei. Children with this condition don't produce enough lactase, the enzyme needed to digest milk sugar ( lactose).
If you think you've spotted a connection between dairy food and your child's symptoms, see your doctor. Lactose intolerance can be diagnosed with a simple breath test. If it's found to be the cause of your child's gas pain, your doctor may recommend limiting dairy products, taking supplemental enzymes or drinking a special kind of milk that contains lactase.
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