Indigestion in Infants: When to Worry and What to Do

Pain in the upper abdomen of the child immediately after eating is the first symptom of indigestion. Usually indigestion in children is accompanied by heartburn. In severe cases, the child experiences severe pain, which hinders his daily activities. Other symptoms of indigestion in children are as follows:

• Child's flatulence (feeling of full stomach and discomfort due to it) 
• Child's constant burping and passing out air from the stomach 
• Acid reflux (fluctuation in stomach acid), due to which food or liquid starts coming back from the stomach to the mouth of the child
• Nausea 
• Vomiting, etc. 

In most cases, the symptoms of indigestion are very mild, which appear after your child eats outside junk food or oily food. In mild cases of indigestion, your child does not need to take any kind of medicine. But if the child is getting indigestion every time after eating food, then in such a situation you should take him to the doctor. 

When To Go To The Doctor For Indigestion In Children

• If your child does not feel hungry for the whole day 
• The child is losing weight 
• If your child is having trouble swallowing food
• The child starts vomiting continuously
• Blood in the child's stool and vomit
• The child sweats without any reason 
• If your child has anemia or iron deficiency 
• If your child has ever had stomach problems like ulcers or infection, etc.

(Read more - Home remedies for indigestion)

Indigestion in children usually occurs when the acid in the child's stomach damages the protective layer of the digestive system, promoting pain, discomfort and inflammation. All these problems occurring together cause short-term discomfort to the child.

Most children do not have inflammation on the protective layer (mucosa) of the digestive system, but the sensitivity of this layer increases with acid. You should treat or remedy the indigestion in children by understanding its exact cause.The following are other causes of indigestion in children:

Medicines:
The use of many types of medicines can cause indigestion in children. When you take your child to a doctor for any disease or problem, the doctor does not tell you about the side effects of the medicines given to the child for treatment. Whereas there are many medicines which cause heartburn in the child. 

Generally, children start having heartburn due to medicines containing nitrate. Nitrates relax the esophageal sphincter (a circular band of muscle around the lower part of the food pipe). Due to the relaxation of this band, stomach acid starts leaking and it causes irritation in the mucosa lining of the digestive system. Due to which heartburn starts. 

Obesity:
Obesity is a common problem in children and adults. Due to modern lifestyle and eating habits, obesity also occurs in children. This is also considered a major reason for indigestion in children. 

Stress and anxiety:
In today's times, even children get stressed. Increased anxiety or stress leads to changes in the child's eating habits, which causes indigestion. It is not uncommon for children to eat more when they are stressed. 

Hiatus hernia:
Hiatus hernia occurs when a particular part of the stomach puts pressure on the diaphragm. This temporarily blocks the food pipe, which increases acid reflux and indigestion begins. 

GERD (acid reflux disease):
GERD is the recurrent indigestion in children due to irritation and inflammation in the food pipe. 

Pet Ulcers and Stomach Cancer:
Pet ulcers are like open wounds in the inner lining of the stomach and small intestine of the child. People who have stomach ulcers usually experience symptoms of indigestion. In rare cases, repeated indigestion also indicates fatal diseases like stomach cancer. 

Helicobacter pylori infection:
This is a type of stomach infection in which only one symptom of indigestion appears. This infection increases the chances of stomach ulcers and stomach cancer in children. If the child is having persistent indigestion, then you should consult a doctor and get this infection checked.

(Read more - How to Relieve Indigestion During Pregnancy)

The digestive system of children is very sensitive. In such a situation, it is important that you do not let him eat anything that is not good for him. Do not give your child any food that does not suit his stomach. You can protect your child from indigestion by adopting the following methods.

• Do not give your child food that contains a lot of oil. 
• Reduce the habit of eating chocolate in your child and give him less chocolate.
• Develop the habit of eating properly in your child, in which you encourage him to chew food slowly and properly. 
• Keep your child happy, stress also affects the child's health.
• Do not let the child play or do physical work immediately after eating food, because it takes some time to digest food. Forbid the child from running or playing for at least one hour after eating food.

(Read more -Indigestion during pregnancy)

Most cases of indigestion in children do not require medical treatment. If the symptoms of indigestion persist for several hours, you should take the child to the doctor. 

Your doctor recommends doing an X-ray or other test of the child's stomach. With the help of these tests, the doctor finds out the exact causes of the child's indigestion. During this treatment, the doctor gives the child medicines that reduce the problem of gas. Domperidone maleate medicine is helpful in reducing acid reflux. Doctors give this medicine to the child for a few weeks. This medicine is taken about 15 to 30 minutes before eating.

Apart from this, antacid medicines like trums, maalox, Gaviscon are also beneficial in this disease. Any medicine for indigestion should not be given to the child without consulting a doctor.

(Read more - How to Relieve Indigestion During Pregnancy)

Mild cases of indigestion in children can be treated with home remedies. Below are some home remedies for this problem -

Water:
Get the child into the habit of drinking water. Drinking water normalizes acid reflux. For older children, you can also give them a teaspoon of baking soda mixed in about 230 ml of water.

Ginger:
Ginger is used to relieve indigestion. Many studies have also shown that ginger is used to treat dyspepsia. If the child is suffering from frequent indigestion, then giving honey and ginger with lemon juice also gives a lot of relief to the child.

Milk:
Milk reduces indigestion and heartburn.

Pineapple:
Pineapple contains a special type of acid, which regulates the process of bowel movement and improves digestion.

Coriander:
Mixing coriander leaves juice in warm milk and giving it to the child on an empty stomach in the morning provides relief from indigestion.

Mint leaves:
Chewing mint leaves is beneficial in stomach related problems. Peppermint present in mint helps in contraction of the gastrointestinal tract. It is also considered an effective remedy for stomach infection and heartburn.

Fruits:
Fruits provide the child with an adequate amount of fiber, which helps in digestion. Banana acts as a laxative, it also helps the child in digesting food. Other home remedies for indigestion in children

• Do not feed the child too much food at once. Also, inculcate the habit of eating slowly and chewing food. 
• Do not feed children food shortly before sleeping.
• Let children sleep for at least eight hours.
• Cumin 
• Amla, etc. 

(Read more - How to Combat Stomach Infections)

Indigestion is a common problem in children, which can be caused by wrong eating habits, overeating, eating quickly or not digesting certain foods. Its symptoms include stomach pain, heaviness, gas, nausea and sometimes vomiting or belching. To avoid indigestion in children, it is important to give balanced and light food, not to feed too much fried or spicy food and avoid playing or lying down immediately after eating. Home remedies like ginger, fennel and lukewarm water can also help. If indigestion is recurring or the child is feeling uncomfortable, it is necessary to consult a doctor.