What questions will the doctor ask about my child's stomach pain?

There are several questions that your pediatrician may ask, so it can be quite helpful to gather the information ahead of time to help figure out what’s causing the pain.

• How long has the pain been present? Has it been days, weeks, or months?

• How bad is the pain? Does your child cry?

• Where is the pain? Around the belly button, or lower right belly?

• How long does the pain last? Does anything seem to make it better or worse?

• Any fever, vomiting, or diarrhea?

• Does the pain wake her up at night or interfere with activity?

• Does it happen only on preschool days, or a particular time of day?

• How is her appetite?

• Is it related to any specific food or drink such as milk products? Or is it better or worse after she eats?

• Is she potty trained? Does the pain occur only when she needs to poop?

• Does she poop every day? Is the stool hard or soft? Is it big or small? Is there any blood in the stool?

• Any recent social or family stress or change in environment?

• Any family history of stomach or intestinal diseases or issues?

• Any recent travel or exposure to pets?

Find out more about this book: Mommy Calls: Dr. Tanya Answers Parents' Top 101 Questions About Babies and...

Buy Book