Mothering › Baby Articles › My Tummy Hurts An Overview Of Remedies That Treat Children S Digestive Upset
My Tummy Hurts – An Overview of Remedies that Treat Children’s Digestive Upset
brought to us by Tummy Calm
Parents are often told by their pediatricians to give their children gas drops to help relieve tummy aches, ease fussiness, alleviate painful bloating, gas pains and even excessive spitting up. But knowing which to give and when to give them can be confusing.
The information below may help you decide what is right for your family, explaining what different formulas are available, and also give you other ideas for treating your little ones’ tummy troubles.
Gas Drops Explained
Gas drops are an over-the-counter liquid medication designed to relieve discomfort from gassiness, bloating and abdominal pain caused by trapped gas in the stomach and intestines.
While there are four types of liquid medicines or supplements that may be taken for gas—simethicone, Tummy Calm®, gripe water and probiotics - not all remedies are the same.
What is Simethicone?
Simethicone is made from a mixture of polydimethylsiloxane and silicon dioxide, and is sold over the counter under several brand names in the US.
Simethicone was first introduced in 1952 as an anti-foaming agent that causes gas bubbles to combine into larger bubbles. The theory is that larger gas bubbles in the stomach are easier to pass up through burping.
Because simethicone only affects gas at the top of the stomach, it must usually be given with every meal. Unfortunately, simethicone has no effect on gas in the intestines, which as many adults know, can cause the most painful symptoms. Moreover, some studies have shown simethicone to be no more effective than a placebo or sugar pill.
What is Tummy Calm®?
Tummy Calm® is an FDA-regulated, natural alternative to simethicone gas drops that contains microscopic particles of activated carbon, a substance used safely for centuries to help relieve the symptoms of gas, bloating and abdominal pains through the entire length of the digestive tract.
In addition, Tummy Calm® contains eight other homeopathic remedies—things like soothing chamomile—to provide safe and gentle digestive support.
It provides effective relief to gassy babies and kids of all ages, usually within five minutes or less. Plus, it doesn’t require regular dosing and may be given only upon onset of symptoms.
Another way to get relief from gas is by giving your child gripe water.
What is Gripe Water?
Gripe water is a natural liquid formula that has been used for more than a century as a remedy to treat infant gas.
While traditional gripe waters are herbal oils in sugar water, there is only one gripe water that is actually a homeopathic medicine.
You may have heard of Colic Calm® or seen it in CVS/pharmacy, Walgreens or Babies“R”Us stores. It is the first and only homeopathic gripe water that is FDA-regulated, and it contains a synergistic blend of chamomile, fennel, caraway, peppermint, ginger, aloe, lemon balm, blackthorn, and vegetable charcoal.
Colic Calm’s nine homeopathic remedies are derived from traditional European formulations. They have shown to be beneficial for relieving infant colic-related symptoms in numerous clinical studies and have been selected for their gentle effectiveness and safety.
What are probiotics?
Available in the yogurt aisle, on pharmacy shelves and even in chocolate bars, probiotics seem to be everywhere these days.
Probiotics are benevolent bacteria that aid the digestive process and support the immune system by protecting the body from harmful microbes ingested with food. They are the opposite of antibiotics, the medicines prescribed to kill certain bacteria that cause different illnesses.
Probiotic formulas are now available for children and several studies suggest that supplementing with a pediatric probiotic may help ease gastric problems if given over a period of several weeks.
Are these gas remedies safe?
Both simethicone and Tummy Calm® are considered safe for internal use, as are Colic Calm® and liquid probiotics. However, simethicone brands may contain artificial flavors and sweeteners to cover the chemical after taste, as well as emulsifiers and fillers –even laxatives.
Make sure you examine labels carefully to ensure there is nothing that your child may have a reaction to. In rare cases, simethicone can cause allergic reactions or other side effects*. You may also want to consider keeping a log to identify foods/drinks (or habits/behaviors) that are causing digestive distress, such as gas, bloating and upset stomach.
Tummy Calm’s ingredients that have a long history of safe use. The all-natural, side-effect-free formula contains no sugar, sodium bicarbonate, simethicone, herbal oils or extracts, artificial flavors or colors. It has a naturally sweet taste, and is wheat, gluten, soy, starch and dairy free –a real bonus if your child has food sensitivities or allergies.
For more information about Colic Calm® and Tummy Calm®, interactive animation explaining the science behind their efficacy, educational articles, and to read and watch testimonials from real users, visit www.ColicCalm.com and www.TummyCalm.com.
*Always consult with your pediatrician before giving your child any over-the-counter medicines.
Jacqueline Lawrence, President - TJL Enterprises, Inc.
When her first child was born, Jacqueline was expecting to go back to her teaching career after maternity leave. But the string of sleepless nights, constant crying, and diagnosis that her son had colic left her with no choice but to stay home until he grew out of it. It also gave her an unexpected purpose in life—she was bound and determined to find a solution to help ease his suffering.
Influenced by the experiences she had while teaching abroad in Europe, one of Jacqueline’s first instincts was to explore homeopathic medicine to remedy her son’s colic. She met with a variety of Western and Eastern doctors, consulted pediatricians, homeopaths, naturopaths, osteopaths, chiropractors, herbalists and healers of all sorts. Jacqueline combined what she considered the best of their advice and recommendations and collaborated with a renowned homeopathic pharmacist, to perfect her original formula. After she was assured that the formula was absolutely pure and safe, Jacqueline entrusted a state-of-the-art homeopathic manufacturer in the USA to make Colic Calm® under strict FDA guidelines and standards. Tummy Calm® was launched in May 2012 after years of research and development.
Jacqueline holds a B.A. in French from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and M.A. in Secondary Education from Chapman University in Orange, CA. She lives in Long Beach, California with her husband and their children.
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