Why does my child have a sore tummy?

(Image: Getty Images)

A sore tummy can be common for kids – and not always caused by food. Find out what might be going on and how you can help.

By Lotta Johansson, Microbiologist

If your child often complains of a sore tummy, but medical tests and GP visits come back clear, you’re not alone, and you’re not imagining it.

Otherwise known as Functional Abdominal Pain (FAP), recurring tummy pain with no clear medical cause, affects up to 1 in 5 children, and while it doesn’t show up in scans or blood tests, the pain is very real.

FAP can disrupt everything from sleep and school to friendships and family routines and it’s more common than many parents realise.

So, what is Functional Abdominal Pain?

FAP is a type of recurring or ongoing stomach pain that can’t be explained by an identifiable medical cause. That means everything might look “normal” on paper, but your child is still in pain.

According to the ROME IV criteria used to diagnose the condition, FAP is considered to be abdominal pain that is “distinct from any underlying organic pathology”.

Unlike coeliac disease, lactose intolerance or inflammatory bowel disease, FAP doesn’t show up on diagnostic tests because the issue isn’t structural, it’s functional. It’s about how the gut and brain talk to each other.

Children with FAP might have extra-sensitive nerves in their digestive system, stress-related triggers, or gut movements that are too fast or too slow. In short, it’s a complex condition that’s not visible, but definitely real.

Child sore tummy: young girl having stomach pain in the house. — Functional Abdominal Pain (FAP) is recurring tummy pain with no clear medical cause. *(Image: Getty Images)*

What does FAP look like in kids?

Tummy pain is the most obvious sign, but it’s not the only one. Children with FAP may also experience:

Nausea or headaches
Fatigue or poor sleep
Sensitivity to certain foods or noise
Low mood or anxiety
Disruption to school, sport or play

The pain often flares up in the morning before school or during times of stress. It can range from mild discomfort to intense cramps, and even though it’s not caused by a disease, it can have a huge impact on your child’s wellbeing.

Parents may worry they’ve missed something serious, while kids may feel frustrated or anxious that no one believes them. And sadly, that can create a cycle: pain leads to anxiety, which leads to more pain.

How can I help my child’s sore tummy feel better?

While there’s no quick fix for FAP, taking a holistic approach is the best way to soothe little tummies.

Top tips for parents:

Stick to a routine: Regular mealtimes, sleep patterns and school attendance can help regulate the body and reduce anxiety-driven flare-ups.
Watch for food triggers: There’s no one-size-fits-all FAP diet, but keeping a symptom diary or reducing high-FODMAP foods (with professional advice) can help
Support the gut gently: BioGaia’s clinical research shows that supplementing with probiotics like L. reuteri Protectis or L. reuteri DSM 17938 may support gut health and improve symptoms in children with functional tummy issues.
Look after mental health: There is strong evidence that therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness or relaxation techniques can help kids manage pain and reduce anxiety.
Validate their experience: Tell your child: “I believe you.” That reassurance can ease anxiety and help them feel safe, even when the cause of the pain isn’t visible.

While there’s growing evidence that probiotics can help treat FAP, around 40% of children still have symptoms even after using medication.

Experts agree that probiotics should be used alongside key lifestyle changes, like improving diet and increasing physical activity. It’s recommended that probiotics be taken for at least 6 to 8 weeks to help manage FAP.

Sore tummy: Mother with young boy who is seeing a doctor for a tummy ache — When dealing with FAP, be sure to see your child’s GP or paediatrician to rule out more serious causes of tummy pain. *(Image: Getty Images)*

When should we see a doctor?

When dealing with FAP it is important for your child to see their GP or paediatrician to rule out more serious causes of tummy pain, like infections, allergies, or gastrointestinal conditions.

If FAP is diagnosed, ask your doctor:

Should we see a psychologist, dietitian or paediatric GI specialist?
What strategies should we try first?
Are probiotics a good option for my child?
How can we track symptoms and measure improvement?

FAP has long been ignored as an invisible condition, but parents today have more information and treatment options to get their child back on track. With the right tools, FAP can be managed to get kids healthy, happy, and pain-free.