What is gas, bloating and burping?

Gas, Bloating and Burping
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How can you care for gas and bloating in children?

  • 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.
    • Peas, lentils, and beans.
    • Vegetables such as artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, green peppers, onions, radishes, and raw potatoes.
    • Fruits such as apricots, bananas, melons, peaches, pears, prunes, and raw apples.
    • Wheat and wheat bran.
    • Carbonated drinks and fruit drinks.
    • Packaged foods that contain lactose, such as breads, cereal, and salad dressing.
    • Sugar and sugar substitutes.
  • Try soaking beans in water overnight. Drain the soaking water, and cook the soaked beans in new water. This may help decrease 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.
    • Antacids, such as Maalox Anti-Gas and Mylanta Gas, 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 odor from gas your child passes.
    • If your child has problems with lactose, you can give your child medicines such as Dairy Ease and Lactaid with dairy products to prevent gas and bloating.
  • Have your child get some exercise regularly.

Gas and bloating: When to call

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

  • You have gas and signs of a heart attack, such as:
    • Chest pain or pressure.
    • Sweating.
    • Shortness of breath.
    • Nausea or vomiting.
    • Pain that spreads from the chest to the neck, jaw, or one or both shoulders or arms.
    • Dizziness or lightheadedness.
    • A fast or uneven pulse.
    After calling 911, chew 1 adult-strength aspirin. Wait for an ambulance. Do not try to drive yourself.
  • You have severe belly pain.

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

  • You have trouble swallowing.
  • You have blood in your stool.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

  • You do not get better as expected.

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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.