What does a child have to eat when they have dyspepsia

Upset stomach, also known as dyspepsia , is common in children. The causes of dyspepsia vary and can include viruses , stress, overeating, or any type of gastrointestinal problem. Take your child to the pediatrician to make sure your upset stomach isn’t a symptom of something more serious. If the dyspepsia is harmless, reintroduce food slowly to avoid aggravating your child’s discomfort.

The first thing you have to do is not be alarmed, because that way you will only be able to scare your child into thinking that something really bad is happening … when it probably is not. Dyspepsia is common and affects many children each year. Do not miss the advice that we give you below so that you can better manage your child’s condition and that he returns to his state of well-being as soon as possible.

GUIDELINES AFTER VOMITING

When your child is recovering from an upset stomach, your main concern is adequate hydration. Two hours after vomiting, encourage your child to drink clear liquids every 10 minutes. After four hours, have your child drink some more. 

Six hours after vomiting , allow your child to drink when he is thirsty. If fluids are tolerated for six hours, encourage your child to eat a few bites of soft food. If the vomiting does not return, you can slowly return to normal.

SICKNESS

A common stomach upset can manifest as nausea without vomiting. Even if your child is not vomiting, it is important to give his body a rest and to follow a diet with soft elements that do not irritate his stomach. Allow your child to eat when they are hungry , but drink fluids so they do not become dehydrated.

FOOD TO EAT

A bland diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) is often recommended as the foods are low in fiber. However, you don’t have to limit your child to four foods. Other good options include plain pasta without cheese, butter or sauce, oatmeal, dry cereal, mashed potatoes, and canned fruit. Ginger has a calming effect on the stomach .  Offer your child sugar ginger tea or gingerbread cookies.

CONTINUOUS RECOVERY

As your child improves, you can gradually diversify his diet . Ideally, serve more substantial items such as fish , chicken, cottage cheese, eggs, cooked carrots or green beans, and yogurt three days after the vomiting has stopped. Encourage your child to eat small, frequent meals, but don’t force him to eat the food. Just as your appetite returns, it may take a while.

FOODS TO AVOID

For a week after nausea and vomiting have stopped, avoid foods that can irritate your child’s stomach.  Possible irritants include caffeine, chocolate, spicy foods, citrus fruits, fried or fatty foods, and carbonated beverages.

Gas-producing vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower, can exacerbate your child’s stomach upset so it’s also important that they be avoided as much as possible. It may help to limit or eliminate dairy products for a few days if your child has diarrhea .

If after a few days your child continues with an upset stomach and you see that it does not go away despite everything discussed here, then it is important that you take him to the pediatrician as soon as possible. You will have to do a medical evaluation so that in this way, the cause that is causing the dyspepsia is found and thus be able to find an appropriate treatment for your specific situation. Perhaps there is an underlying cause that is affecting you and the specific treatment must be found in each case .