Tummy pain is common in childhood and often settles, but repeated pain deserves careful attention. A short, factual record can help a clinician see patterns. It should not be used to diagnose the cause at home or to delay care when a child is unwell.
What to write down
Use a notebook or phone note for one or two weeks, or until you speak with a clinician. Record:
- when the pain starts, how long it lasts and where the child points;
- what the child was doing and whether pain wakes them;
- bowel movements, including hard stool, diarrhoea, soiling or blood;
- urination, including pain, frequency or blood;
- fever, vomiting, appetite and drinking;
- foods eaten and medicines taken—without removing foods to “test” a theory;
- school days, worries or stressful events;
- menstrual timing when relevant;
- what helped and what made it worse.
Use the child’s own words: “squeezing,” “burning,” “sharp” or “comes in waves.” With younger or non-speaking children, record observable signs such as curling up, guarding the abdomen, crying during urination or refusing food. Avoid repeatedly asking for a pain score; check at useful moments and let normal play continue when they feel able.
Support comfort without guessing
Offer fluids and ordinary light meals according to appetite. Let the child rest, but do not force bed rest if they want gentle activity. Check whether they have passed stool recently; constipation is one common cause of abdominal pain. Our guide to child constipation routines explains supportive steps, but suspected constipation still warrants professional advice.
Do not start pain medicine, laxatives or elimination diets solely from an online article. A clinician or pharmacist can advise what is safe for the child’s age, weight, symptoms and health history.
Warning signs: do not wait
Seek urgent medical help if the child has severe or worsening pain; pain that becomes focused in one area, especially the right lower side; a hard or swollen abdomen; green or bloody vomit; blood in stool or urine; difficulty breathing; testicular pain or swelling; is difficult to wake; shows dehydration; or looks very unwell. Collapse, severe breathing difficulty or rapidly worsening illness requires emergency services.
Contact a clinician promptly if pain keeps returning, wakes the child, is associated with fever, weight loss, poor growth, persistent vomiting or diarrhoea, urinary symptoms, joint symptoms, or interferes with school and normal activities. Babies and children with complex conditions need a lower threshold for assessment.
Talk about stress carefully
Worry can contribute to real tummy symptoms, but do not assume pain is “just anxiety.” First take the complaint seriously and discuss recurring symptoms with a health professional. Try: “I believe your tummy hurts. Let’s notice what your body is telling us and get help if we need it.”
If a pattern appears around school, ask open questions about the day rather than leading with “Are you being bullied?” The article on child worries and when to seek help offers age-sensitive conversation starters.
Bring a useful summary
At the appointment, share the diary, medicines, allergies, family history and your biggest concern. A concise pattern is more useful than a long list of theories: “Pain happened five mornings this week, lasted 20 minutes, and twice followed hard stool.”
