What treatments might the doctor give for my child’s GERD?

Try to get your child to eat several smaller meals throughout the day and don’t allow him/her to skip meals. Also, more exercise, drinking more water and reducing any stress are good tactics to stop the triggers of heartburn. There are many medications that can help your children.

Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter medicine. Antacids such as children’s versions of Tums or Gaviscon may help. Be careful when you give your child over-the-counter antacid medicines. Many of these medicines have aspirin in them.

• Over-the-counter antacids.
• H2 blockers, which decrease acid production.
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which lower the amount of acid the stomach makes.
• Prokinetics, which help the stomach empty faster.

Regular Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate, containing bismuth subsalicylate, are approved for kids 12 and older.

Have the child lie down and rest. Don’t give the child fluids for about 2 hours after the last vomiting episode. Then give the child clear fluids such as water or flat soda. Start with just a sip at a time.

Taking care of your child with abdominal pain

• Make sure your child gets plenty of rest.
• Help your child drink plenty of clear fluids such as cooled boiled water or juice.
• Do not push your child to eat if they feel unwell.
• If your child is hungry, offer bland food such as crackers, rice, bananas or toast.

If your child’s pain is getting worse, or the pain lasts longer than 24 hours, call your pediatrician and make an appointment. Have your child relax quietly to see if the abdominal pain goes away. Offer sips of water or other clear fluids.

Home treatment for tummy aches

1. Have your child lie down and rest.
2. Place a warm compress or heating pad on their stomach.
3. Gently massage your child’s belly, which can help with gas and indigestion.
4. Give small sips of water.
5. Check with your doctor before giving any over-the-counter medication.

How long does the stomach flu last in kids? A stomach flu usually lasts between one and three days. Vomiting typically lasts for less than 24 hours. However, if your child’s symptoms continue for more than 5 days, you should call your pediatrician.

Over-the-Counter Medications For cramping from diarrhea, medicines that have loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth subsalicylate (Kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol) might make you feel better. For other types of pain, acetaminophen (Aspirin Free Anacin, Liquiprin, Panadol, Tylenol) might be helpful.

Upset Stomach: Helping Your Child Feel Better Encourage her to drink water or clear fluids. Withhold solid foods for a couple of hours, especially if she is throwing up. After a few hours, try to get her to eat a little bit of mild food that won’t upset her stomach, like crackers, dry toast, applesauce, or plain rice.

Abdominal pain in children can often be treated with home care. Assure the child is getting enough rest, give fluids to avoid dehydration, avoid solid food, aspirin, antibiotics (unless prescribed by a doctor), and herbal supplements. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be given if the child has a mild fever.

For the first twenty-four hours or so of any illness that causes vomiting, keep your child off solid foods, and encourage her to suck or drink small amounts of electrolyte solution (ask your pediatrician which one), clear fluids such as water, sugar water (1/2 teaspoon [2.5 ml] sugar in 4 ounces [120 ml] of water).

The Bottom Line. The original Pepto-Bismol is only safe for kids 12 and up. Pepto Kids is safe for kids ages 2-11.

For younger children, start with bland foods such as applesauce, mashed bananas, or infant cereal. Older children (over 1 year old) can be given crackers, toast, mixed grains, soups, mashed potatoes, or white bread. A normal diet can usually be continued about 24 hours after the vomiting has stopped.

If your child has diarrhea, take comfort knowing that IMODIUM A-D Oral Solution (liquid) for use with children is the only OTC brand anti-diarrheal that’s FDA-approved for children aged 6-11.