Why Does My Child’s Stomach Always Hurt?

Understanding Functional Abdominal Pain in Children

Your child clutches their tummy again, wincing. Maybe it’s just after breakfast… or right before school. You’ve been to the doctor, done the tests—everything comes back “normal.” But your child’s pain is real. It’s frequent, unpredictable, and starting to affect their daily life.
If you’re feeling helpless, confused, or even doubting yourself, you are not alone.

Many children experience Functional Abdominal Pain (FAP), a common yet often misunderstood condition where a child has recurring stomach pain without any visible medical cause. No ulcers, no infections, no inflammation—yet the discomfort is genuine and sometimes intense.

So what’s going on?

In children with FAP, the gut becomes overly sensitive. Normal digestion, mild gas, or even emotional stress can trigger cramping or pain. Think of the gut as a balloon—if squeezed too tightly or stretched too far, it hurts. For some kids, even a gentle squeeze is too much. Their pain threshold is lower, and their nervous system is just more reactive.

This blog will help you understand:

• Why your child’s pain is not imaginary

• What symptoms to watch for

• How emotions and stress influence the gut

• When to worry—and when to relax

• How you can help your child feel better, naturally and holistically

Let’s break the cycle of frustration and fear—and give your child the comfort, clarity, and care they deserve.

What Exactly Is Functional Abdominal Pain?

Functional Abdominal Pain (FAP) is a condition where the child experiences chronic or recurrent belly pain, but no medical test finds anything physically wrong. No ulcers. No infections. No inflammation. And yet, the pain is there, often centered around the belly button.

This is not “just in their head.”
It’s a real, recognized condition. The pain arises from how the nervous system and digestive tract communicate.

In simple terms:

• The gut has its network of nerves, often called the “second brain.”

• In children with FAP, these gut nerves become extra sensitive.

• Normal digestion or emotional stress can cause the gut to overreact, sending strong pain signals to the brain, even when nothing is medically wrong.

And just like some kids get headaches from stress or excitement, others get stomach aches.

What Does It Look Like in Real Life?

Children with FAP often:

• Complaint of stomach pain that comes and goes unpredictably

• Say the pain isn’t tied to eating or using the toilet

• Point to the pain around the belly button

• Appear otherwise well in between episodes

• Sometimes experience nausea, bloating, or feeling full easily

This pain can disrupt:

• Sleep

• School attendance

• Playtime

• Eating habits

• Emotional wellbeing

It may seem mild some days and unbearable on others. And often, there’s no clear trigger. A fun birthday party or school test could bring on a flare. That’s because emotions and gut sensitivity are deeply connected.

Why Emotional Stress Makes It Worse

Did you know your child’s gut is wired to their emotional brain?

Stressful or exciting events—exams, social worries, even sleepovers—can cause the gut to contract more forcefully or send amplified pain signals.

So while your child may not have a stomach “disease,” their nervous system is amplifying pain, and that’s very real.

When Should You Worry? Red Flags Every Parent Must Know

While functional abdominal pain is common and usually not dangerous, there are times when stomach pain can signal something more serious. Here are the red flags to watch for:

Contact your doctor if your child has:

• Unexplained weight loss or isn’t growing normally

• Bloody diarrhea

• Persistent vomiting

• Blood in the urine or pain while peeing

• Fever, rash, chills, or joint pain

• Low energy between pain episodes

• A family history of IBD or celiac disease

These symptoms may point to conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, or organ issues, which need specific medical treatment.

How Is Functional Abdominal Pain Diagnosed?

There’s no single test to diagnose FAP. Your doctor uses a combination of:

• Symptom history

• Growth patterns

• Physical examination

 If needed, tests may include:

• Blood work (to rule out anemia, inflammation)

• Urine tests (for infection or kidney issues)

• Stool tests (for blood or parasites)

• Ultrasound (to view abdominal organs)

In most children with FAP, all these tests come back normal. That’s a good sign—it rules out serious illness and allows us to focus on supporting gut sensitivity gently.

How Can You Help Your Child Feel Better? A Holistic Healing Approach

Once serious causes are ruled out, managing Functional Abdominal Pain is all about supporting your child’s sensitive gut and nervous system—gently, consistently, and holistically.

1. Diet Therapy: Healing Through the Plate

• Avoid fermentable sugars like fruit juice, soda, candy, gum (which ferment in the gut and cause gas)

• Try a dairy-free week to check for lactose intolerance

•  Increase fiber intake (age in years + 5 grams/day)

•  Skip fizzy and caffeinated drinks

• Use a food diary to track patterns

2. Emotional Support: Calming the Gut-Brain Axis

• Reassure your child that their pain is real, but manageable

• Teach breathing exercises or guided relaxation

• Stick to routines (sleep, meals, screen time)

• Consider mind-body therapy or counseling if stress is high

3. Homeopathy: Gentle, Individualized Healing

Homeopathy offers a natural, side-effect-free way to:

• Calm gut sensitivity

• Balance emotions

• Improve resilience

A few commonly used remedies:

• Colocynthis – for pain relieved by pressure

• Lycopodium – for gassy, anxious children

• Pulsatilla – for clingy, emotionally sensitive kids

• Nux vomica – for irritable children with diet-related pain

The best results come with individualized prescribing based on your child’s overall constitution and emotional pattern.

The Takeaway: You’re Not Imagining It, and Neither Is Your Child

If your child keeps saying, “My tummy hurts,” and tests don’t give you answers, you may feel stuck. But you’re not alone.

Functional abdominal pain is the body’s way of asking for balance between food, emotions, and nervous system sensitivity. With small, thoughtful changes in diet, routine, and emotional support—and gentle, holistic care—most children bounce back beautifully.

•  You don’t have to wait for the pain to “just go away.”
•  And you don’t need to manage it all on your own.

Let’s Help Your Child Heal—Gently and Naturally

At Holistic Parenting Tribe, we use a blend of homeopathy, gut support, and lifestyle healing to restore your child’s well-being from the inside out.

👉 Book a personalized gut-health consult for your child today.
Let’s explore the root cause, ease their discomfort, and help them thrive.