Our Philly editor is spending a few weeks in Central America this summer, and with family travel to other parts of the world, she’s thinking a lot about being careful with her family’s eating and drinking habits lest they end up with a big bout of Montezuma’s Revenge. So, with that in mind (along with all the potentially not so healthy summer eating habits your kids may engage in), here are her favorite all natural tummy ache remedies for those occasional digestive issues. These tips should help get your wee ones back outside and enjoying their summer in no time!
- Ginger Tea: This is one of my favorites because it’s so simple. We’ve all been given ginger ale when our tummies are upset, but these days, ginger ale contains almost none of the ginger that is the tummy settling element in that fizzy drink, so why not stick with ginger tea instead? You can buy it in your grocery store or local deli, or make it yourself. Making it at home is super easy: just slice 4-6 pieces of peeled, fresh ginger and throw it in a pot of 2 cups water; boil for 10-20 minutes, depending on how strong you want the tea, then add lemon and/or honey (optional) and you have a perfect, easy homemade tea to settle your child’s stomach without all that sugar and corn syrup that ginger ale contains.
- Peppermint Tea or Peppermint Oil: When I was working as a birth doula, peppermint essential oil was always in my “go bag” to use when a laboring mama was feeling nauseous (which, as many of you know, is nearly inevitable). The same is true in my life as a mom. Peppermint oil and cotton balls are always at the ready and travel with us everywhere. I’ve managed to stave off a bout of car sickness with a cotton ball doused in peppermint oil on family road trips; it can be effective for air sickness or general nausea as well. Another good option in the peppermint category is peppermint tea, which is easy to find at most grocery stores or your neighborhood deli.
- Bland Foods: Yup, this is probably a no brainer, but it’s worth a reminder. When your kiddo is having tummy issues or nausea, bland foods are the best. Help them keep a few calories down without making them sicker by offering dry toast, crackers, or (my personal favorite) grated apples or (sugar free) applesauce.
- Yogurt: This one was new to me until recently, but it’s a great one for diarrhea relief. With diarrhea, all the good bacteria is being flushed out of your system, which can prolong the illness. Yogurt and it’s live bacteria can help get your little’s digestive system back on track more quickly.
- C.R.A.P Diet: Is constipation the issue? Many of our kids aren’t getting the daily fiber they need, which can cause constipation and discomfort. Try the C.R.A.P. diet: Cherries, Raisins, Apricots, and Prunes (oh, my!) will give your kiddo the fiber he needs to help get things moving again.
Mollie Michel is a South Philly resident and a Philadelphia public school parent. A recovering non-profit professional, Mollie is also an experienced birth doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, and the mom of two awesome girls and a sweet pit bull named Princess Cleopatra. In her spare time, she is usually trying to figure out how Pinterest works, training for a(nother) half-marathon with her dog at her side, or simply trying to keep up with her increasingly wily daughters.