Most stomach aches in young children settle within a few hours, but you should call a doctor the same day if the pain is severe, keeps getting worse, or comes with fever, repeated vomiting, or signs of dehydration.
What changes the answer is how the pain behaves over time and what comes with it. Pain that stays in one spot, especially the lower right side, or that makes your child curl up, limp, or refuse to walk needs prompt evaluation. Pain that comes and goes, eases after a bowel movement or passing gas, and lets your child play and eat is usually less concerning. Keeping a simple log of when the pain starts, what your child ate, bowel movements, and temperature makes the visit far more useful. Offer small sips of fluid often, and skip pain medicine until a clinician has checked a belly that is tender to touch.
When to call the doctor
Common questions
When should you see a doctor for Abdominal pain - children under age 12?
Call a doctor the same day if your child's belly pain lasts more than a few hours and keeps worsening, stays in the lower right side, or comes with fever, repeated vomiting, or refusal to walk. Get emergency care for a rigid or very tender belly, blood in the stool or vomit, green vomit, pain after a hard blow to the abdomen, or dehydration signs such as no urine for 8 hours, no tears when crying, or unusual sleepiness. Any fever in a baby under 3 months needs care right away. Brief cramping that eases after a bowel movement or a nap is usually not urgent, but call if it returns week after week, wakes your child at night, or comes with weight loss.