For a 3-year-old with mild gastritis and anemia, you’re right to approach support gently and naturally. Here are some safe and effective tummy-supportive options alongside slippery elm, keeping in mind her age and the need to support digestion, healing, and comfort:
- Nutritional & Herbal Support:
Chamomile tea (weak infusion)
Soothing, anti-inflammatory, and calming for the stomach.
– Offer 1–2 teaspoons cooled tea, 1–2 times a day.
Aloe vera juice (inner leaf only)
Helps soothe the gut lining. Use a child-safe formula (without latex/aloins).
– 1–2 teaspoons daily before meals (check for child-safe dosage or pediatric formulas).
Marshmallow root tea (weak infusion)
Similar to slippery elm – very gentle mucilage for coating and calming the gut.
– Offer small amounts like chamomile (1–2 tsp cooled tea).
- Gut-Healing Foods:
Bone broth
Rich in glycine, gelatin, and minerals – supports mucosal healing.
– Include in soups or sipped warm daily.
Bananas (ripe), applesauce, oats
Gentle, easy-to-digest foods that may help bind irritation.
– Avoid citrus, raw onions, or spicy foods.
Fermented foods (tiny amounts)
Like plain unsweetened yogurt with live cultures or kefir.
– Introduce very gradually – 1 teaspoon to start.
- Probiotics
Look for a children’s probiotic with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains. These support digestion, immunity, and gut repair. Some good brands offer powders that can be added to food.
- Iron-Rich + Gut-Friendly Nutrition (for anemia)
Cook with iron-rich foods like lentils, spinach (cooked), egg yolks, and small portions of red meat or chicken liver.
Combine with vitamin C foods (like mango, papaya) to improve absorption.
Avoid dairy around iron-rich meals (interferes with iron absorption).
Important Notes:
Always rule out H. pylori infection or more serious causes of gastritis with a pediatrician.
Be cautious with overuse of herbs in toddlers – doses should be tiny and ideally guided by a naturopath or pediatric integrative doctor.
Avoid peppermint or ginger in large amounts—they can worsen gastritis in some cases.
