Constipation in an 8 Month Old

One other thought is the iron content of the formula. The iron in the formula is not the same as in breastmilk thus it is not as readily used by the body - leading to constipation. I do not know if the iron amount is different with different formulas as I have no experience. I wish that I could be more help.

My son has had constipation issues and his stools are kinda hard sometimes. Our peditrician said it can be caused by him eating such a variety of baby foods. We have never given him one baby foood for a week and then another. Sometimes all the different foods can cause it. But, if you are concerned or if you really feel something is wrong, never hesitate to go to the doctor. I hope he feels better soon!!

Hi S., try giving him oatmeal for one meal and peaches at another meal along with what ever you give him. If you can make the oatmeal your self. If it needs to be thinner put it in a blender to thin it out. You should see a difference in a couple of days, but you will need to give this every day to keep it regular. If the formula has extra iron in it that could be a problem also.

Hi S.,

Sorry to hear that your little man is having trouble. It can be very concerning when they don't have bowel movement for a while. It sounds like you are doing all of the right things, one thing that can really help is water, try giving him 4oz of warm water, if he will take it try 8oz spread through out the day, give him a little while then try massaging his tummy, puch his legs up to his tummy and move them round in a bicycle movement, all of these combined should help him to relax and get them bowels moving again. Keep with the water everyday, the switch from the breast milk to formula may just be taking his digestive system a while to get used to. The formula doesn;t contine as much 'water' as breast milk.

If you try this and he is still struggling then, def go back to your ped tell them everything you are trying and have done. They may advise a change of formula to a partially broken down one such as Nutramagem (my daughter was on this until 12 months as she had the same issues you describe)

The last thing your ped may suggest is Mirilax, which I actually still have to give my daughter now and she is just 2, she has a qtr to a half tsp everyday and certain food items still bung her up. Until her digestive system is fully matured, the dr told us to watch her dairy intake and no bananas!

Good luck huni.

Hi S.,
Buy some children probiotic powder (I use Baby Jarro-dophylus) from any health food store and add the recommended dose in his bottle at night. It only takes a couple of days for it to work, but not only you get rid of the constipation, but his immunity gets a boost.
Good luck!

Ouch, no fun. I would let him have water, keep him hydrated, in addition to the formula. My boys loved having a clear sippy (or even bottle) with a little ice. Yogurt has the good bacteria too. And too much fiber without enough hydration will actually constipate him more. I was always told to feed the P foods because they have the highest fiber content, and the fruits are also hydrating. So think peaches, pears, prunes. I'd also do oatmeal, malt-o-meal or cream of wheat, of course only after introduction.

I saw in another post about the jarred good probiotic powders. you can mix this into ANYTHING and it is great (for the whole household on regular basis!!). Just make sure you mix it into just a few spoonfuls so that it goes down and isn't wasted in uneaten food.

Rice is very binding and constipating, so lay off of that. Karo never worked for mine, but a lubricated thermometer did when all else fails, just be prepared because he might have a BM immediately on the changing table.

I went through the same thing. I breast fed my daughter for the first seven months. I dried up for whatever reason and we then gave her formula. The formula made her constipated for a a month and horrible gas oh and she spit up which she never did with the breast milk. We tried everything possible: warm baths, peaches, prunes, rubbing her belly clockwise, bicycles with her legs, even insertng a thermometer in her little bottom, nothing worked. My husband's Grandmother told us something she read in the newspaper: equal parts of bran, applesauce, and prune juice. It took a awhile (a few feedings) but it did work. We gave her this concoction after her regular bottle.

I hope this helps!

My babies too had similar problems. The moment I feel they are constipated, I give them raisin water. Just soak a few raisins in warm water (preferably overnight) for a few hours and then squeeze out the raisins as if to extract the juice. You may also run it in your blender and then strain it. Give the juice to the baby. And get ready for a diaper change very soon :)

I agree from one of the replies. The iron content in baby food makes babies constipated..I wish him well :)

My babies were all breastfed and had constipation issues after introducing food. I did talk to my pediatrician and she suggested benefiber. If that didn't work ,she suggested Mirilax. I have had to use both. The benefiber is better as a proactive measure. I put about 1/2 tsp in a cup of water everyday. I used the Mirilax when things got really bound up. I have had many friends who have also used it. My 3 yr old still gets constipated occasionally. A day or 2 of the benefiber usually does the trick. Good luck to your little guy.

Hi, so sorry about your problem. Have you been checking the fiber content of the food you are giving him? Some foods contain more fiber than others. What about rice or oat cereal, you didn't mention that. Will he take water, or could you water down his food some?

I totally understand about the breastfeeding guilt as I have supply problems and it drives me to depression! It sounds like you tried really harYou did a good job getting as far as you did!

Also, does his poop come out like pebbles or does he just strain alot? I ask becasue the straining could be because he doesn't realize he should relax when pooping. If he is straining, try relaxing him (my ped said sometimes putting babies butt in warm water helps).

I am not really experienced in your problem, this is just the advice others gave me.

One of my boys had constipation problems as an infant, possibly 4-6 months old. Our pediatrician, who's been in practice since the 60s and has 8 kids of his own plus who knows how many grandchildren, recommended Maltsupex. It's a bulk-forming fiber laxative powder that you mix in with the baby's food. Can't remember if the pharmacist had it in stock or had to order it. Anyway, it worked well. Can't remember the amounts to use but everything had a malt taste. I had twins, and the doctor said the other twin could have it, too, without any problems. Neither baby complained about the taste.

I've also heard about putting the baby in a warm bath. I was under the impression that the water needed to come up to the baby's lower belly. Could be wrong about that, though. Good luck!

If you could find someone who raises oats, Goats milk is mucheasier on the little ones digestive tract. It is also closer to mothers milk I am told. M. W