4 yr old always complaining of a sore tummy

[AllyH]

She's always saying her tummy hurts (for months now), but it doesn't seem to bother her if you press it.
We try to make sure she doesn't need to go to the toilet - but she's good at that and doesn't tend to hold things in.

I think it's probably an attention thing, and we try to dismiss it and not make a thing of it, but I'm not sure if we should check it out with a doctor (as that seems a bit over the top), but don't want to appear non-concerned parents?

What would you do? Any experience?

My 4yo says this a lot. I'm not sure it's active attention seeking on her part rather than just trying to express generally feeling out of sorts. I always "believe" her and often just a simple word of sympathy and a tummy rub does the trick and she moves on. If it goes on, I offer to take her to the doctor - she then perks up remarkably quickly

Make an appointment with GP if just to put your mind at rest. You never know as you say it could be attention seeking but guess you must be little worried it a bit more than that to post on here.

Migraines often manifest themselves as stomach aches in young children. It might be worth having her checked out in case it's something like that.

I agree. And a doctor once told me that a child can't always pinpoint where aches and pains are coming from so generalise with a 'tummy ache'.

I would get her checked out though as it's been a while.

Thanks for the support & advice. I keep saying it's nothing, but then the more she keeps saying it I think 'perhaps she does have tummy ache!' Even a mention of visiting the doctor hasn't put her off, so will see how it goes!