Digestive Problems in Children: Understanding Discomfort and What It Means for Their Brain Development

Your child's gut and brain are connected in surprising ways, and digestive issues can quietly impact their ability to focus and grow. Digestive comfort is about more than just avoiding tummy aches.

Young child with upset stomach clinging to parent for comfort

Your child's digestive problems could be quietly affecting their focus, memory, and overall development. Comfortable digestion is more than just avoiding tummy aches and troubles.

Digestive discomforts like gas, hard stool , and tummy aches are common in children, but they're more than just uncomfortable. They can actually affect how well your child learns and develops.

When your child's tummy hurts, their brain feels it too. This connection between gut health and brain development means that recurring digestive discomfort could be impacting their focus, mood, and ability to absorb what they're learning.

Understanding what these tummy troubles mean and how to address them is key to supporting both your child's comfort and their growing mind.

Kids’ Digestive Issues: What They Are and Why They Matter

Digestive problems in children can show up in many ways: from occasional tummy aches to recurring discomfort that disrupts their daily routine.1 While every child experiences the odd upset stomach, some deal with ongoing issues that affect how they feel, play, and learn. It’s always best to consult with your child’s doctor to find out what’s troubling your child’s tummy.

Common digestive problems symptoms in children include:

  • Lactose intolerance or sensitivity: Difficulty digesting dairy, leading to gas, bloating, or diarrhea
  • Constipation: Hard, infrequent stools that cause discomfort and straining
  • Colic: Intense crying and fussiness in infants due to digestive discomfort
  • IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome): Ongoing tummy pain with changes in bowel habits

When children experience these issues regularly, it's not just their tummy that's affectedl their brain notices too. The gut and brain communicate constantly through what's called the gut-brain axis .

When your child's digestion is compromised, their brain receives stress signals that can make it harder to concentrate, learn new things, or regulate emotions. Tummy pain can also disrupt sleep, which is crucial for memory and development.11    

Some signs that digestive discomfort may be affecting learning time include:

  • Difficulty focusing on homework or classroom activities
  • Increased restlessness or fidgeting during lessons
  • Asking to go to the bathroom frequently during study time
  • Complaining of tummy aches before school or during learning activities
  • Showing less interest in play or activities they usually enjoy
  • Appearing more irritable or easily frustrated when trying to learn
  • Trouble sitting still or getting comfortable
  • Avoiding mealtimes or snacks, leading to low energy for learning

The good news is that addressing digestive discomfort often helps children feel better both physically and mentally, giving them the comfort they need to focus and thrive.

"My Tummy Hurts!": Helping Your Child Find Relief from Digestive Problems

To help your child have a happy tummy, here are some nutrients you should try to include in their diet.

1. Partially Hydrolyzed Protein (PHP)

Children get a large part of their nutrition from milk, and it can remain an important source of nutrition even if your child has digestion problems. This is a key component in child stomach pain management.

Proteins are large complex molecules, but partially hydrolyzed protein in milk is broken down into a smaller size. This protein is derived from a process known as protein hydrolyzation, reducing the size and allowing for easier digestion. Partially hydrolyzed protein is generally easier to digest compared to proteins found in regular milk for children with sensitive stomachs.2  

2. Fiber

Fiber plays an important role for your child’s digestion. It has been linked to a reduced risk of digestive conditions and child’s stomach pain.8   Simply put, soluble fiber acts like a brush cleaning your child’s digestive system. This is because it absorbs water and adds bulk to stool, making it softer and easier to pass.

To add more fiber into your child’s diet, consider the following:

  1. Incorporate more fruit and vegetables in your child’s diet. Fruits like apples and avocados can be a good start, especially if your child is a picky eater.
  2. Consider switching to whole grain cereal and whole grain bread.
  3. Instead of chips or candy, offer high-fiber options like whole-grain crackers, trail mixes, or dried fruit for snacktime

Beyond dietary fibers, special fibers like PDX (polydextrose) and GOS (galacto-oligosaccharides) are particularly helpful for little ones. PDX and GOS are so-called “prebiotic fibers”, meaning they help feed the good bacteria in the gut to support overall digestion.9  

Research shows that infant formula with a blend of PDX and GOS helps promote softer, more frequent stools.10 For children who often have difficulty pooping or struggle with hard stools, these prebiotics encourage stools to keep moving more regularly and comfortably.

Foods like cow’s milk, beans, and root vegetables naturally contain GOS. PDX is found in prebiotic foods like yogurt, or incorporated into infant formulas such as Enfagrow Gentlease 3+.

3. DHA

Fat is an essential part of a healthy diet, aiding in proper nutrient absorption. In addition, some kinds of fat have been found to have important health benefits.

Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA, EPA, and ALA) are among these fats. They’ve been found to reduce inflammation and may even decrease the risk of inflammatory bowel diseases.3 DHA may also help improve focus and attention in growing children.4   

To get the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids, consider giving your child milk supplements designed for sensitive stomachs like Enfagrow Gentlease 3+. Consult your doctor for more information on how to include them as part of managing child stomach pain.

4. MFGM

Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a component found naturally in breastmilk. Studies show a wide variety of benefits, including improved digestion.5 Other benefits of MFGM include supporting your child’s cognitive development, improving intelligence quotient (IQ) and emotional quotient (EQ), and strengthening immunity.6   

5. Reduced Lactose

Sensitivity to lactose (a sugar found in milk) is a common cause of digestive problems in children such as gas, bloating, or diarrhea. While lactose plays an important role in the absorption of calcium and magnesium, some children have an intolerance or are sensitive to this nutrient.7  

Reducing lactose intake doesn't mean your child has to miss out on important nutrition. For children with lactose sensitivity, choosing low-lactose alternatives can help ease digestive discomfort while still providing essential nutrients for growth and development. You might also consider specialized formulas designed for sensitive tummies that are easier to digest.

The goal isn't to eliminate dairy entirely unless medically necessary. It's about finding what works best for your child's comfort. If you suspect lactose sensitivity, talk to your pediatrician about the best approach for your little one's needs.

6. Water

As parents, we focus so much on the food our children eat that we may overlook one of the most basic requirements for good nutrition: water. Water breaks down food and helps in the absorption of nutrients, and it also prevents constipation.

When you skip the fruit juices and sodas and give your children water instead, you’re helping their digestion and cutting down on unwanted sugars.

When Tummy Comfort Leads to Less Digestive Problems and Better Learning

When you understand what's causing the discomfort and take steps to address it, you're not just easing tummy troubles. You're also supporting their brain development, focus, and overall well-being. Every child is different, and finding what works for your little one might take some time and patience, but you're already on the right path by learning and staying informed.

Enfagrow Gentlease 3+ formula package displayed with icons showing PDX & GOS prebiotics, MFGM, and 24-hour digestive comfort relief benefits for brain development and easy pooping.

If  your child continues to experience digestive discomfort despite dietary changes and lifestyle adjustments, it might be time to consider whether their current milk is the right fit. Consider making the switch to Enfagrow Gentlease 3+, providing rapid digestive comfort relief in just 24 hours and promoting softer, more frequent stools. (vs. regular cow’s milk)

Our Best Ever Enfagrow Gentlease 3+ now has Added Prebiotics (vs. previous formulation). Aside from aiding with digestion, this combination of easy-to-digest PHP with PDX/GOS helps support better sleep for your little one (in study with PHP milk containing PDX & GOS). Remember, digestive problems in children are common, but they don't have to hold your child back from learning and developing the way they should!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my child has digestive issues?

Watch for recurring symptoms like stomach pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, excessive gas, or fussiness around mealtimes. Behavioral changes like irritability, sleep disruption, or difficulty focusing can also signal digestive discomfort.

How to solve digestive issues in kids?

Start with simple dietary changes like adding more fiber, increasing water intake, establishing regular mealtimes, and identifying potential trigger foods. If digestive issues persist, consult your pediatrician and consider specialized formulas with easy-to-digest proteins designed for sensitive tummies.

References

  1. Durani, Y. (Ed.). (2023, March). Stomachaches. KidsHealth. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/stomachaches.html
  2. Laatikainen, R., Salmenkari, H., Sibakov, T., Vapaatalo, H., & Turpeinen, A. (2020). Randomised controlled trial: Partial hydrolysation of casein protein in milk decreases gastrointestinal symptoms in subjects with functional gastrointestinal disorders. Nutrients, 12(7), 2140. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12072140
  3. Costantini, L., Molinari, R., Farinon, B., & Merendino, N. (2017). Impact of omega-3 fatty acids on the gut microbiota. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(12), 2645. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18122645
  4. Sittiprapaporn, P., Bumrungpert, A., Suyajai, P., & Stough, C. (2022). Effectiveness of fish oil-dha supplementation for cognitive function in Thai children: A randomized, doubled-blind, two-dose, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Foods, 11(17), 2595. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11172595
  5. Mohamed, H. J., Lee, E. K., Woo, K. C., Sarvananthan, R., Lee, Y. Y., & Mohd Hussin, Z. A. (2022). Brain–immune–gut benefits with early life supplementation of milk fat globule membrane. JGH Open, 6(7), 454–461. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgh3.12775
  6. Huërou-Luron, I. L., Lemaire, M., & Blat, S. (2018). Health benefits of dairy lipids and MFGM in infant formula. OCL, 25(3). https://doi.org/10.1051/ocl/2018019
  7. Rosario, J. F. del (Ed.). (2023, May). Lactose intolerance. KidsHealth. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/lactose.html
  8. Salvatore, S., Battigaglia, M. S., Murone, E., Dozio, E., Pensabene, L., & Agosti, M. (2023). Dietary fibers in healthy children and in pediatric gastrointestinal disorders: A practical guide. Nutrients, 15(9), 2208. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15092208
  9. Carlson, J. L., Erickson, J. M., Lloyd, B. B., & Slavin, J. L. (2018). Health Effects and Sources of Prebiotic Dietary Fiber. Current Developments in Nutrition, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzy005
  10. Ziegler, E., Vanderhoof, J. A., Petschow, B., Mitmesser, S. H., Stolz, S. I., Harris, C. L., & Berseth, C. L. (2007). Term Infants Fed Formula Supplemented With Selected Blends of Prebiotics Grow Normally and Have Soft Stools Similar to Those Reported for Breast-fed Infants. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 44(3), 359–364. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0b013e31802fca8c
  11. Liu, J., Ji, X., Pitt, S., Wang, G., Rovit, E., Lipman, T., & Jiang, F. (2022). Childhood sleep: Physical, cognitive, and behavioral consequences and implications. World Journal of Pediatrics, 20(2), 122–132. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-022-00647-w