Simple Comfort Measures for Little Tummies
“Mooooom. My tummy hurts.”
Four words that can mean approximately 847 different things.
Are you hungry?
Do you need to poop?
Did you eat seventeen handfuls of cheese crackers?
Are you nervous about school tomorrow?
Or are we actually getting sick?
Welcome to motherhood. 😂
If you’re wondering how to help your child’s upset tummy naturally, there are several simple comfort measures you can try at home.
I like starting with the basics—hydration, rest, warmth, gentle foods and figuring out what might be causing the discomfort.
And because natural wellness is part of our family’s routine, I’ll also show you a couple of the Young Living products I like keeping in my Mom Toolkit for those inevitable “my tummy hurts” moments.
Why Does My Child Keep Saying Their Stomach Hurts?
Before reaching for anything, I like to play detective.
An upset tummy in children can have lots of possible causes, including:
- Constipation
- Gas
- Eating too much
- Eating too quickly
- A stomach virus
- Food sensitivities
- Hunger
- Dehydration
- Stress or anxiety
- Changes in routine
Sometimes the answer is obvious.
Other times?
Good luck, Sherlock Mom.
The important thing is to pay attention to your child’s overall behavior and symptoms, not just the words “my stomach hurts.”
If they’re otherwise acting normally and the discomfort is mild, I usually start with some simple comfort measures.
1. Start With Hydration
This is one of the simplest places to begin.
Offer small, frequent sips of water rather than encouraging your child to gulp a huge amount at once.
If they’ve been vomiting or have diarrhea, ask your healthcare professional about an appropriate oral rehydration solution, particularly for younger children.
And don’t underestimate dehydration.
Sometimes a little body simply needs fluids.
2. Don’t Force Food
I know.
We’re moms.
Feeding people is practically part of the job description.
But if your child’s stomach is upset and they don’t want to eat, you don’t necessarily need to push a big meal.
When they’re ready for food, try simple foods they normally tolerate well.
Depending on the child, that might include things such as:
- Toast
- Rice
- Banana
- Applesauce
- Crackers
- Soup
- Potatoes
- Oatmeal
Follow your child’s appetite and your pediatrician’s recommendations.
The goal isn’t to create the world’s most nutritionally impressive dinner while somebody feels like they’re going to throw up.
Simple is okay.
3. Try a Little Warmth
This is one of my favorite old-fashioned Mom tricks.
A warm compress or heating pad on a low, comfortable setting with supervision can sometimes be comforting for tummy aches or cramping.
There’s just something about warmth. My mom always gave me the heating jug.
Add a blanket, couch and Mom cuddles and suddenly we’ve created the Ritz-Carlton of stomachaches.
4. Ask the Question Nobody Wants to Ask
When did you poop last?
😂
I’m serious.
Constipation is a common cause of abdominal pain in children.
Pay attention to whether your child has been having regular bowel movements and whether stools are hard or painful to pass.
Water, movement and fiber-rich foods can support normal bowel habits, but persistent or significant constipation is something to discuss with your child’s healthcare provider.
Apparently motherhood includes keeping track of everyone’s poop.
Nobody mentioned that in the brochure.
5. Encourage Gentle Movement
If your child feels up to it, a little gentle movement can sometimes be helpful.
Nothing crazy.
We’re not doing CrossFit in the living room.
A short walk around the house, stretching or simply changing positions may help them feel more comfortable, especially when gas or constipation could be contributing.
If movement makes the pain significantly worse, however, pay attention to that and contact their healthcare professional if you’re concerned.
6. Remember That Worry Can Hurt a Tummy Too
This one is easy to overlook.
Kids don’t always say:
“Mother, I appear to be experiencing anxiety.”
They say:
“My stomach hurts.”
Big feelings can show up physically.
School worries.
Friend problems.
A test tomorrow.
Changes at home.
Overstimulation.
Something scary they saw.
Even excitement can create butterflies and tummy discomfort.
If the stomachache seems to appear around particular situations, gently ask:
“Is anything worrying you?”
Sometimes the tummy needs comfort.
Sometimes the kid needs comfort.
And sometimes it’s both.
7. Create a Calm Environment
When kids don’t feel well, I like turning everything down a notch.
Dim the lights.
Lower the television.
Bring out the favorite blanket.
Offer water.
Put away the chaos for a little while.
Read together.
Cuddle.
Let their body rest.
We can’t control everything happening inside their little bodies, but we can make the environment around them feel safe and calm.
What’s in My Young Living Mom Toolkit for Little Tummies?
This is where natural living fits into our house.
I don’t expect an essential oil to diagnose what’s causing a stomachache, and I’m certainly not using one instead of medical care when my child needs it.
But I do love having simple products around that can become part of our comfort routine.
And one of my favorites for kids is:
KidScents TummyGize
Young Living’s KidScents TummyGize is specifically formulated with children in mind.
The blend contains essential oils including:
- Spearmint
- Peppermint
- Tangerine
- Fennel
- Anise
- Ginger
- Cardamom
Young Living describes TummyGize as having a naturally comforting aroma for tiny tummies. (It’s under $20)!!
There’s also a TummyGize Roll-On, which I particularly like because it’s already diluted and easy to use.
Because when a child is saying,
“Mom. My tummy hurts. Mom. Mom. MOM.”
I’m personally not interested in locating three bottles, measuring carrier oil and conducting a chemistry experiment. 😂
Roll. Done. Mom wins.
For the current U.S. KidScents products, Young Living recommends TummyGize for children ages 2–12. Always follow the current label directions and supervise use.
What About DiGize?
This is another Young Living product you’ll hear me talk about.
DiGize contains essential oils including:
- Tarragon
- Ginger
- Peppermint
- Juniper
- Fennel
- Lemongrass
- Anise
- Patchouli
Young Living describes DiGize as providing a comforting aromatic experience when applied topically according to label directions. It’s also less than $20.00!
I think of TummyGize as my kid-focused option and DiGize as another product I like having in the family wellness cabinet for appropriate use.
Again, essential oils aren’t my substitute for figuring out why someone’s stomach hurts.
They’re one piece of my overall natural wellness routine.
When Should I Call the Doctor About My Child’s Stomach Pain?
This part matters.
Most parents develop a pretty impressive internal alarm system.
You know the difference between:
“My tummy feels funny.”
and
“Something isn’t right with my child.”
Seek medical advice promptly if your child has symptoms such as:
- Severe or worsening abdominal pain
- A hard, swollen or very tender abdomen
- Persistent vomiting
- Blood in vomit or stool
- Signs of dehydration
- Difficulty breathing
- Unusual weakness, confusion or difficulty waking
- A concerning fever
- Pain that continues or repeatedly returns
- Or your child simply seems significantly sicker than usual
And when your Mom Radar is screaming at you?
Listen to it.
I’d much rather have a medical professional tell me everything looks okay than ignore something important.
Natural living and modern medicine don’t have to be enemies.
I use both.
My Simple Upset-Tummy Routine
For an ordinary mild tummy ache without concerning symptoms, my approach is pretty simple:
Small sips of water.
Don’t force food.
Warmth.
Check the poop situation.
Gentle movement if appropriate.
Ask about worries.
Create a calm environment.
Use age-appropriate Mom Toolkit products according to their directions.
And then watch.
Sometimes the best thing we can give our kids is simply a little time, comfort and Mom.
Want to Know What’s in My Mom Toolkit?
After raising kids, I’ve learned something:
You don’t want to start figuring out what you need after somebody starts yelling,
“MOOOOOM!”
That’s why I created my Mom Toolkit.
It’s a simple guide to some of the things I like having around for those everyday family moments—little tummies, sniffly seasons, bedtime struggles, boo-boos and those days when everybody needs a little extra TLC.
Download Jenn’s FREE Mom Toolkit
Inside, I’ll show you some of my favorite Young Living products, what I keep them around for, and how I fit them into our family’s everyday routines.
No hype.
No buying 47 bottles because somebody on the internet told you to.
No pretending essential oils replace your pediatrician.
Just one mom showing another mom:
“Here’s what I like keeping in my cabinet. Take what helps you.”
→ DOWNLOAD MY FREE MOM TOOLKIT
Start small.
Build your toolkit as you go.
And hopefully the next time you hear…
“Mooooom. My tummy hurts.”
…you’ll already have a few ideas.
This article is for educational purposes only and isn’t medical advice. Essential oils and Young Living products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Always follow current product labels, age recommendations and usage directions. Contact your child’s healthcare professional with questions about symptoms, medical conditions or appropriate treatment.
PS. Here is my whole alternative arsenal that I keep for upset tummies. See what is right for you.
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