Have your little ones ever complained about an uncomfortable tummy after eating certain foods? Yes Moms, it’s indeed possible, because some foods can cause bloating in children.
Bloating often makes children fussy. Nevertheless, this condition rarely turns into something dangerous. Experts say that bloating in children is normal.
Bloating caused by excessive gas can be uncomfortable. There are several symptoms that are easy to recognize if your child is bloated, such as being fussy and having difficulty sleeping at night, frequent burping, and feeling nauseous.
So, what foods can cause bloating in children?
Foods That Can Cause Bloating in Children
-Certain Vegetables
Foods in the vegetable category can also cause bloating in children. For example, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and beans.
-Fatty Foods
Just like high-fiber foods, fatty foods can also cause bloating. For example, french fries.
-Apples and Pears
Fruits such as apples and pears also contain substances that can cause bloating in children.
-Soda
Soda contains carbon dioxide gas which can produce gas in the body.
-Juice
Drinks that contain a lot of sugar can cause bloating. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents limit giving juice to children.
-Chewing Gum
Artificial sweeteners in sugar-free chewing gum are difficult for some children to digest. These artificial sweeteners get trapped in the large intestine and are fermented into intestinal gas. Chewing gum can also increase the possibility of children swallowing excess air.
Tips to Relieve Bloating in Children
1. Pay Attention to the Type of Food Your Child Consumes
Observe what types of food cause your child to bloat. If you already know, you can limit or avoid these foods. For example, don’t give them too many gas-triggering vegetables at the next meal.
2. Avoid Fatty Foods
Avoid fatty foods, caffeine, carbonated drinks and limit or stop juice consumption. If you want to give juice to your child, make sure it is 100% fruit juice.
3. Consume Enough Water
Make sure your child consumes enough water. For children aged 1 – 2 years, their daily water needs are 1 – 4 glasses or around 230 – 950 ml per day. Meanwhile, children aged 3 – 5 years need 1 – 5 glasses of water or a maximum of 1.2 liters per day.
4. Invite Them to Eat in the Right Place
Parents can also teach children to eat properly. Let them chew their food well and eat slowly. Make sure to eat without gadgets and focus on the food. Assure them that they will have time to play after eating, Moms.
Ringkasan
Bloating is a common condition in children, often causing discomfort and fussiness due to excessive gas. Symptoms include being fussy, difficulty sleeping, frequent burping, and nausea. Certain foods are known to trigger bloating in children, including vegetables like broccoli and cabbage, fatty foods, apples, pears, soda, sugary juices, and chewing gum.
To relieve bloating, parents should monitor their child’s diet, limiting or avoiding trigger foods. Additionally, avoiding fatty foods, caffeine, and carbonated drinks, and limiting juice intake can help. Ensuring adequate water consumption and teaching children to eat slowly and mindfully, without distractions, are also beneficial strategies.