Is Gluten Bloating Your Toddler? Signs to Watch For

When your kiddo constantly complains of tummy pain and bloating, it can be hard to know where to start. And although occasional bloating can be normal for toddlers, it should be explored if it’s consistent or frequent.

One possible culprit that often gets brought up is gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye that can trigger an allergic reaction in some and sensitivity reactions like abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea in others (1).

In this article, we’ll cover what can trigger bloating in toddlers, how to identify a gluten sensitivity or allergy, and practical steps to get your toddler feeling better. 

Common Causes of Toddler Bloating

Before removing gluten, it’s important to consider whether something else might be causing your toddler’s bloating to avoid unnecessarily restricting their diet. Because a gluten-free diet can limit variety, fiber, and important nutrients like calcium and iron, it’s a change that should be made with careful intention (2).

The most common culprits of toddler bloating are (2): 

• Dairy intolerance

• Constipation or irregular pooping

• IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

• Naturally gassy foods like onions, legumes, cauliflower, bananas, prunes, and broccoli

• Poor absorption (especially after GI procedures)

Gluten Sensitivity vs. Celiac Disease

If gluten does seem to be the issue, the next step is figuring out if your kiddo has a gluten sensitivity or celiac disease (a gluten allergy). Knowing the difference can help with treatment and forming a diet plan.

Gluten Sensitivity 

Gluten sensitivity is an immune response that can cause bloating, fatigue, or brain fog. These symptoms might not be to gluten alone but also to other parts of wheat (3).

Treatment of gluten sensitivity includes a gluten-restricted diet, and might not require complete elimination of gluten. Some kids are even able to reintroduce gluten in small amounts.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to attack the small intestine and can cause long term damage to the gut. It can cause bloating along with more severe symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and poor nutrient absorption. 

Although both can cause bloating, celiac disease requires lifelong management, medical monitoring, and a strict adherence to a gluten-free diet. 

Signs Your Toddler May Be Reacting to Gluten

If you suspect your kiddo is responding negatively to gluten, talk with their pediatrician. They can help differentiate gluten sensitivity vs celiac and perform a series of blood tests and diagnostics to clarify a plan for your little one. 

Reactions to gluten can manifest in multiple different ways.

The most common are digestive symptoms:

• Persistent bloating (can be tummy distention and/or tummy pain)

• Changes in bowel movements: constipation or diarrhea

• Frequent gas

• Nausea or vomiting 

There are also some behavioral and physical signs to look for: 

• Fatigue and brain fog

• Sudden behavioral issues (usually as a result of tummy pain or bloating)

• Rashes or skin irritation

• Falling off growth curve or slow weight gain

Practical Steps to Help Bloating

Gluten Reduction or Elimination

Depending on the diagnosis from your pediatrician, reducing or fully eliminating gluten might be a helpful way to ease bloating. 

When reducing gluten, there are a few important things to keep in mind:

• Avoid labeling foods as “bad”. To maintain a positive relationship with food, avoid labeling gluten foods as “bad” or “toxic”. Instead, explain that some foods might not make their body feel its best and that everyone’s body has unique needs.

• Maintain diet variety. One challenge with a gluten-free diet is that families may feel limited and end up repeating the same foods. To support your kid’s gut health and help prevent picky eating, aim to include a wide range of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and gluten-free carbohydrates.

• Emphasize fiber. Gluten-free diets can lower fiber intake, which is important for reducing bloating. Make sure to regularly include gluten-free fiber sources like beans, quinoa, rice, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.

Address Constipation

Whether or not your kiddo is working to limit gluten in their diet, managing constipation can be a great way to reduce bloating. The longer that poop sits in the intestines, the more likely it is to ferment and cause gas, leading to bloating. 

Make sure your little one is having soft and regular bowel movements. If not, work to slowly increase their fiber intake, make sure they’re drinking enough water, and potentially incorporate prebiotics and probiotics into their diet for improved gut health. 

Small & Scheduled Meals

Encourage your kiddo to eat small, more frequent meals rather than stuffing themselves until they are overly full. This can exacerbate their feelings of bloating. 

Also, sticking to a regular meal routine can help your toddler’s digestion. When their body knows what to expect, digestion tends to work more smoothly, which can lead to less bloating.

Incorporate Natural Digestion Aids

Some foods have a natural calming effect on digestion which can help reduce feelings of bloating. Incorporating these foods before and after meals can be helpful in your little one feeling better. 

These include (4):

• Peppermint

• Ginger

• Fennel

Summary

If your toddler is dealing with bloating, it’s a good idea to take a closer look at their symptoms and talk with their pediatrician about the possibility of a gluten sensitivity or allergy. Whether or not gluten is reduced in their diet, supporting regular digestion with fiber-rich foods and smaller, consistent meals can make a big difference.