Health Information and Tools > Patient Care Handouts >  Gas and Bloating in Children: Care Instructions
Facebook Tweet Share

Main Content

Gas and Bloating in Children: Care Instructions

The digestive system

Your Care Instructions

Gas and bloating can be uncomfortable and embarrassing problems. All people pass gas, but some people produce more gas than others, sometimes enough to cause distress. It is normal to pass gas from 6 to 20 times a day. Excess gas usually is not caused by a serious health problem.

Gas and bloating usually are caused by something your child eats or drinks, including some natural health products and medicines.

Gas and bloating are usually harmless and go away without treatment. But changing your child's diet can help end the problem. Some over-the-counter medicines can help prevent gas and relieve bloating.

Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.

How can you care for your child at home?

  • Keep a food diary if you think a food gives your child gas. Write down what your child eats or drinks. Also record when your child gets gas. If you notice that a food seems to cause gas each time, avoid it and see if the gas goes away. Examples of foods that cause gas include:
    • Fried and fatty foods.
    • Beans.
    • Vegetables such as artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, green peppers, onions, peas, radishes, and raw potatoes.
    • Fruits such as apricots, bananas, melons, peaches, pears, prunes, and raw apples.
    • Wheat and wheat bran.
  • Soak dry beans in water overnight, then dump the water and cook the soaked beans in new water. This can help prevent gas and bloating.
  • If your child has problems with lactose, avoid dairy products such as milk and cheese.
  • Help your child try not to swallow air. Make sure that your child does not drink through a straw, gulp food, or chew gum.
  • Give your child an over-the-counter medicine. But check with your doctor first if your child is under 12. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
    • Food enzymes, such as Beano, can be added to gas-producing foods to prevent gas.
    • Simethicone, such as Gas-X, can relieve bloating by making your child burp. Be careful when you give your child over-the-counter antacid medicines. Many of these medicines have aspirin in them. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness.
    • Activated charcoal tablets, such as CharcoCaps, may decrease odour from gas your child passes.
    • If your child has problems with lactose, you can give him or her medicines such as Lactaid with dairy products to prevent gas and bloating.
  • Have your child get some exercise regularly.

When should you call for help?

Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:

  • Your child has severe belly pain.
  • Your child has blood in his or her stool.

Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:

  • Your child has blood or pus in the urine.
  • Your child's urine is cloudy or smells bad.
  • Your child is burping and having trouble swallowing.
  • Your child feels bloated and has swelling in the belly.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter T911 in the search box to learn more about "Gas and Bloating in Children: Care Instructions".

Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.