6 year old farting in school - teacher opinions

[Sunnydaysarethebestdays]

My 6 year old is really struggling with school at the moment. She gets really upset every morning and is difficult to get into class, and says she feels sick.
It transpires after chatting to her this afternoon that she farts a lot when they are sat on the carpet in class and everyone looks at her.
She thinks her teacher is cross with her about it too.
She has started asking to go to the toilet when she feels she needs to fart but her teacher refuses to let her go after so many times which makes it worse.
I can’t help thinking that it’s quite common at their age for this to happen but also asking for any advice at all as is becoming quite an issue for her.

I don't think it's as common as you think it is, I certainly don't recall ever teaching a child who farts so much in a day that it's overly noticeable.

What is her diet like?

It's not common, no. Is she lactose or gluten intolerant? Something must be making her farty, best to get it checked out by a doctor.

I think she maybe needs to see a doctor? Nobody should have that much of an issue that they feel sick as an ongoing issue for holding farts in. She needs checking to make sure she doesn’t have ibs or coeliac disease or something?

No, I haven't come across it. I think you need to investigate why she is farting so much.

Bless her. I would look at her diet. She might need to see your GP

Her diet is pretty good. Toast or porridge for breakfast. Hot school lunch at lunch time. Fruit after school.
Evening meal is mostly home cooked eg spaghetti Bol, cottage pie, pasta, roast, sometimes easy tea like sausage and chips.
Yogurt or fruit for pudding
Milk and a biscuit before bed.

How often is ‘a lot’? Small children are windy, but it sounds like this is noticeably much more than all of her classmates. Could she have a bit of a digestion problem?

Not normal to be like that. Does she get constipated?

Do you notice it at home?

@Sunnydaysarethebestdays

Her diet is pretty good. Toast or porridge for breakfast. Hot school lunch at lunch time. Fruit after school. Evening meal is mostly home cooked eg spaghetti Bol, cottage pie, pasta, roast, sometimes easy tea like sausage and chips. Yogurt or fruit for pudding Milk and a biscuit before bed.

I'd definitely be recommending seeing the doctor, it is pretty likely that she has some sort of intolerance or digestive problem.

She rarely farts at home.

I'd try probiotics. I'd also wonder about an intolerance if it's a lot of wind.

Being anxious is probably making her more windy.

I'd definitely speak to her GP? Are her bowel habits are ok? Constipation can cause gas.

Bless her!

@Sunnydaysarethebestdays does she go to the toilet at school, or wait until she comes home?

I was like your dd as a child/teen. Diagnosed with coeliacs and never looked back!

I can’t help thinking that it’s quite common at their age for this to happen but also asking for any advice at all as is becoming quite an issue for her.

I work in a class of 30 6 year olds and tbh I don't recall any of them ever farting so I'm not sure it's that common that it's constantly noticeable. Perhaps she's anxious causing it or maybe an intolerance. The fact it's not happening at home suggested the former however maybe you don't notice and dd doesn't feel self conscious so doesn't register it either

She says she goes to the toilet in school if she needs to.
Her bowels are regular and normal.
I’m concerned anxiety could be playing a part and it’s now a vicious cycle.
I will run it by the GP.

Or maybe she goes into another room at home so you don't notice it

Children don't generally fart that much, unless there is a problem with their digestion. Definitely see the GP.

As a lactose intolerant person I would definitely get her checked out. Porridge in a morning could very well be causing her an issue!

Honestly I remember being physically sick at school from trying to hold it in before I was diagnosed.

Your poor dd.

I would also speak to the school and explain so they allow her to leave the room.

How are intolerances diagnosed?

Sorry I don’t mean to sound like I’m asking a medical question, I’m wondering if it involves tests or food elimination etc.

Another one for porridge possibly being the culprit

My husband is a teacher and says young kids fart all the time. But if it's causing her anxiety and distress that's an issue. Poor love. Hope whatever is causing it can be resolved.

In the nicest way possible, your 6 year old has said she farts a lot…has she been specific? As in how much she does it? She’s 6, as a primary school teacher I can say that often there’s more to it than a six year old is capable of reporting on.

Did she do it once and people looked so now she’s nervous and thinks she may do it hence being asked to be excused many times? How many times in the afternoon does she do it? What does she categorise as a lot?

I don’t want you to have to go to the GP unnecessarily!