Helping Families Understand Stomach Pain

Abdominal pain is common in children and can happen for many reasons. Some stomachaches are brief and related to constipation, a virus, gas, stress, or something your child ate. Others may need closer evaluation, especially if the pain is severe, persistent, or keeps coming back.

At Laurelwood Pediatrics, we can help families sort through abdominal pain, look for possible causes, and decide what steps may be needed.

Common Abdominal Concerns

Stomach pain can look different depending on your child’s age, symptoms, and how long the problem has been happening.

Parents may notice:

• Belly pain that comes and goes
• Pain after eating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation or hard stools
• Decreased appetite
• Frequent trips to the bathroom
• Pain that affects school, sleep, or activity
• Weight loss or poor weight gain
• Symptoms that seem related to stress or anxiety

Many children with abdominal pain do not have a serious condition, but ongoing or worsening symptoms should be discussed with your pediatrician.

Evaluation and Treatment

During a visit, we will talk about your child’s pain, appetite, bowel habits, vomiting, diarrhea, diet, stress, school patterns, medications, and any other symptoms. We may also ask about growth, weight changes, fever, urinary symptoms, and family history.

Treatment depends on the likely cause. Some children need help with constipation, reflux, diet changes, hydration, or temporary stomach upset. Others may need lab work, imaging, medication, or referral to a specialist.

Our goal is to understand the pattern of symptoms and create a plan that helps your child feel better.

Ongoing or Recurrent Pain

Some children have abdominal pain that keeps coming back. Recurrent stomach pain can be frustrating for both children and parents, especially when it interferes with school, sports, meals, or sleep.

At Laurelwood Pediatrics, we can help monitor symptoms over time, look for patterns, adjust treatment plans, and decide when additional evaluation may be needed.

When symptoms are more complex or difficult to manage, we can also help refer your child to a pediatric gastroenterology specialist.

We’re Here to Help

If your child is having abdominal pain, you do not have to figure it out alone.



The pediatricians at Laurelwood Pediatrics can help with evaluation, treatment planning, medication guidance when needed, referrals when appropriate, and ongoing support.