Introducing Solids and Constipation

I had the same problem with my daughter who is now 8 1/2 months. I have made all her food...and when she began to get constipated when I intoduced formula to her at 7 months, she began to get constipated. I now just give her one ounce of prunce juice to her formula, once a day. If things look good, meaning it begans to come out mushy, I stop giving her the prune juice for like 2 days.

I bought the prune juice from Whole Foods and Trader Joes. Hre doctor recomended it to her. Plus, I may sometimes dilute it with an ounce of water also. She has not gone a day without a bowel movement.

Good luck!

I know all too well how you feel. My son (now 2yo) used to get very constipated. There were times I cried just as hard as him because he was so miserable. Fortunately it has improved tremendously but is not completely gone, he still has his moments :o(

My advice: we found sweet potato, banana, rice, and cows milk to be the culprit. These can only be eaten if we supplement with plenty of prune juice (he constantly asks for bananas and milk) A friend also told me you need to make sure any fruit you give your little one is very ripe. The harder the fruit the harder the stool.

Good luck!
S.

Go back to more easily digested foods. I'm sure the brocili is doing a number on her. Go to www.askdrsears.com and look up baby's first foods. They also list foods that cause constipation that you can be sure to stay away from and foods to help her stay regular. Good luck!
M.

I don't think there's anything wrong with her, every child is different and some digestive systems are more sensitive. Especially because you breastfed (bravo!) she's probably adjusting slowly to digesting complex stuff. Actually, it's one of the most common problems in babies this age. I'd stay away from the grains and starches, ( cereal, potatoes) as they are harder to break down for anyones body, I think they're so overrated for babies. Fruits and veggies are a much better option, I especially love the avacado, total brain food! Bananas are known for stiffening up the stool, too so maybe avoid those for a bit. If you're still set on cereal, my sister & I have 3 children between us and we both soaked the whole oats over night. This starts a sort of pre digestion breakdown and is so helpful!
1 cup of rolled oats
1 cup filtered water
2 Tblspn plain yogurt
* cover and leave out to soak over night.(7-12hrs)

Bring 1 cup to boil, add oats and simmer on lowest temp 3-5 min.

I hope your daughter feels better soon. A healthy stomach (gut) is our best alli in health and we all know how terrible it feels to be irregular!
All the best,
M.

I would take my time with the solids if she's having problems. There is no need to rush. She's getting all of her nutrients from your breast milk and the food is just an adventure.

So you know, too...the best foods for curing constipation are the plums, peaches, pears and prunes. Foods that can constipate are apples, bananas.

I would just slow down how much you are giving her. My son had constipation and I just slowed up. He's 2 1/2 and eats like a champ! I really wish that I hadn't given a second thought to it. I have friends who didn't even give solids until their kids were 9 months old. Sounds to me like maybe it's just too much.

I promise it will work out and this won't be an issue forever;)

Hi K.,
have you tried other 'P' things like papaya, plums, and lots of greens. the combo of foods is important.

for instance, i do not feed rice with bananas and sweet potato -- too much starch.

for each meal, i think what in here makes the outcome soft/mushy for my little guy - the greens the fruit,

i mix in pureed prunes withhis breakfast cereal...

have you tried prune juice too and what does your doc say?

My Dr. said to add 1/2 oz prune or pear juice w/ h2o 2x's daily. Cured it immediately.

Add it to the breast milk in a bottle if she won't take it alone.

apple sauce and apple juice daily should help.

I would call the doctor and see what he says. I also gave my son most of the things you mentioned and he never had any constipation, every baby is different so you do have to watch what foods affect her in what ways. I have heard, as others mentioned, that a little prune juice would help.
I would cut back on the solids until she's feeling better. Plus braest milk is a natural laxative!

Good choice on eliminating rice cereal. Try giving her whole grain oatmeal with prunes. Push on peas, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, prunes, pears, pineapple, peach, mango, and water. Prune juice also works great; fast results. Try mixing it with pineapple juice if she won't take it alone. Try to avoid sweet potato, potato and bananas; they tend to be constipating. Hope this helps and always check with her pediatrician if you still have any doubts.

This may be a little late, but I work with a lot of children who have constipation issues. First of course we rec. increasing vegies, fruits, water, prune juice etc. However if they are not working you may want to try Miralax. It is over the counter and safe for baies over two months of age. You should call and ask your Dr. about this, GI doctors know even better. You start with 3 tsp. 3x/day and then go down to 2/x per day. It has no long term effects and works in the intestines. Should be given with a meal. It is a miracle for most parents. Good Luck G.

When my daughter who is now 14 was a baby, we dealt with terrible constipation and nothing seemed to help. We tried everything anyone would tell us. We stopped certain foods, tried different brands, more juice, less juice, lots of water, everything! Finally, a lady that I had met who did research for a childern's hospital told us to try malt-supex (not sure on the spelling). We had our pharmacy order it for us. You can get it in powder or liquid. It is pretty expensive but well worth it. We would add the liquid to her juice and she didn't seem to notice. It did wonders. As a mom with a baby, I was concerned about giving her anything, but I felt better when I read the directions and it actually had the dosage for breast feeding babies. This was truly the miracle for us. Hope it helps.

HI Kristin,
My son was the same way the prunes didn't work. The only thing that helped was prune juice. I started out with a medicine dropper because he didn't like it in the bottle or sippy cup at first but then once he got use to the taste he was fine. So I give it to him diluted in a sippy cup and he loves it! He's never had a problem since!

Take care,
M.

Apple juice! My son is 5 months and we have been having constipation problems with the rice cereal. We just put a little apple juice mixed with his formula and that seems to do the trick.

Good luck.

back off. as long as she is not being given any medications, that will not be an issue. some interfere. give her yogurt, get the flora up in the intestine. more water is good, as you say you are doing. slow down on the solids. creep up on it. you did not mention juices. give them. don't rush it. rub her belly in a circle to stimulate colon, gently, like a game. it helps. slow down. this is not a race.

Hi,
I am no expert but is sounds to me that you are loading her up with carbs and complex carbs, and no greens. Your fruit choices are all acidic and brocooli is a known gas producer which can also bring difficulty in relieving bowels. Whenever I have a problem with my nine month old twins I go back to the basics for a while, peas, green beans, carrots and sweet potato. (my kids eat protein with two meals a day too) and oatmeal and rice cereal in the morning alternating days. What REALLY helps though is that I put two heapful tablespoons of applesauce in their morning ceareal every day. apples are magical for intestines and movement. try it and good luck to you.