I have never heard of Banana's "stopping you up" but through trial and error I think that is the cause of my 5 month olds constipation. Has anybody ever heard or run in to this? I know it's silly I just cannot seem to pin point what is causing his constipation.
Thank you all so much. With my older son Bananas have the opposite effect. I had my oldest on Iron for anemia and that didn't even slow him down. The baby is a whole new ball game for me. Rice slows him down and apparently Bananas do to. We will try, Breast Milk, and oatmeal with apple/prune juice. Thank you all!!!!!
So the apple/prune juice worked like a champ. He refused all food all day and would only nurse or drink the apple/prune juice. Now that things have cleared out and after a good bath :) Ha Ha!!! He happily ate Peas and oatmeal for dinner. Thanks for all the help.
S.,
My family is a firm believer in bananas causing constipation. I am presently pregnant and having my own constipation issues. Someone recommended bananas for my leg cramps, but I refuse to eat them while constipated.
As far as I know, bananas are the only fruit that cause constipation. All the others seem to be beneficial at loosening stools.
Best of luck,
V. K.
Not so odd. Though I've never experienced it first-hand, I have heard before that bananas can be "binding." So, just don't think you're crazy! Good luck!
Bananas definately could be the cause of constipation. Bananas, especially greener ones are great when one is recovering from diarrhea. You have to alternate bananas with more green vegetables, like peas or green beans, or corn.
I don't have time to browse your other responses, so I'll make it short! YES!!! Bananas definitely caused my little one to be constipated in a very bad way! We had to stop them all together. Now he is 2 and won't touch them anyway, so I don't know if they would still be having a bad effect.
Believe it or not, bananas can cause constipation. Our doctor suggested pears, or pear juice which you can add to a bottle. Hopefully that helps!!
Absolutely!!! Bananas will cause constipation. Apples, prunes, or juice of these fruits should help. Rice Cereal can also cause constipation too.
S.
Hi S.,
Yes, fiber and fruits can actually constipate you contrary to popular beliefs. A good book that came out about this is called Fiber Menace. Also, check out www.westonaprice.org - they discuss this book. My cousin discovered this with her two year old a few months ago. She has since switched her to more protein foods. Maybe you could try avocado since 5 months is too young for most other foods.
Hope this helps!
M.
My sister in law and I did not know this secret about bananas either. My nephew loved them as a baby, and she constantly had constipation issues with him. I read it in a Parents magazine buried in the middle of an article one time. So whenever you feed bananas, balance it out with prunes. Then you'll be ok!
Yup, I've dealt with constipation resulting from bananas with my 2 girls (ages 4 & 2). They both love bananas, so when they eat them, I always try to make sure to add extra fiber and fluids to their diet (oranges seem to work well, although I guess citrus is a no-no until they are 1...). I've heard cherry juice is very good for aiding w/ constipation-Juicy Juice makes it.
Hi S.,
Yes bananas are definitely a constipating food - and most likely the culprit. My son isn't on solids yet, but we've had to give him formula occassionally and that usually plugs him up - our pediatrician recommended taking his temperature (rectal) to get things moving along ... I was skeptical and a little unsure about doing it, but it did work!
T.
Yes, bananas can cause constipation... but he probably is also eating rice cereal? That can really be the cause. Just cut back or cut out the bananas and add some high fiber baby foods to his diet. Babies can stool every day to one time a week. As long as he isn't uncomfortable then he is fine. If he is uncomfortable then you can take measures to help him stool.... adding pear/prune juice (5oz 1 -2 time a day) and or consulting with your pediatricain.
Good luck!
Bananas are part of the BRAT diet. That is: Bananas, Rice, applesauce, and Toast. You are supposed to use the BRAT diet when you have diarrhea, because all of these food items "stop you up". So the constipation may be a combination of all of these. Prunes and prune juice are best, but apple juice is good too.
There is something called the BRAT diet that doctors recommend when you have diarrhea. Bananas, Rice, Apples, and Toast. So, no you are not just imagining it. Bananas do cause a firm stool and if taken to extremes could constipate. Make sure the little one is getting plenty of fluids. (Apple Juice tends to get things moving as does aloe vera juice at a local pharmacy.)
My daughter has the same problem. Apparently bananas are quite binding, and when you combine them too often with rice cereal, you have a recipe for disaster, or just mild constipation. I found that if you treat the constipation with prunes - the problem resolves quickly (and messily)!
My daughter loves bananas, but I have to limit her intake - much to her chagrin.
Good luck!
Hi S.. Yes, I have heard of bananas stopping you up. When I was seven all I wanted was bananas so my mom let me eat as many as I wanted. Well I got so sick, constipation etc that I had to be taken to the E.R. I was on medication for about a month. It is the potassium that's in the bananas. However unless he is eating a whole lot of them that's probably not it. Oh he might have a slight allergy to them. My son (16 months)was allergic to pears! Who ever heard of that? Now that he is older he can have them. My Dr. said sometimes it's just too much for their developing intestinal tracks. Good Luck!
Like everyone else has mentioned banana's do stop you up...and since he is only 5 months old I'd hold off feeding him baby food for a few days...start again by just introducing him to rice cereal...then start again introducing foods 1 at a time...and I recommend starting with vegetables first...and wait a week before introducing a new one...that way you can give his little body a break and make sure he has no reaction to the foods...fruits usually do stop you up or make you run!!!
Yes, bananas are binding. That's probably the cause of the constipation. You can still feed him bananas, just not every day.
Bananas can cause constipation. I have also heard that apples can do the same. My son was getting constipated with cereals. As remedies: we tried the karo stuff and it didnt seem to help; we did q-tips in vaseline to help stimulate and that did help; warm baths to help relax his bowels; feeding him prunes; and giving him juice. It seems like a lot of the fruits in the 2's have banana in them. Just try to alternate the foods and try not to give him bananas everyday. Babies bellys are still getting used to the new foods and im sure over time he will have no problem. Hope this helps, A.
Yes I have heard of them stopping you up. When my kids were younger, if they ever had diarrhea, the doctor always put them on the BRAT diet to make the diarrhea stop. The B is for Bananas, R for Rice, A for Apples and T for Tea.
It always worked. So yes if they are getting a banana everyday eventually it will make the constipated. Bananas area also very high in sugar. The most highest of any fruit. Try some apple juice and green beans to loosen the baby up some along with pedialite or something similar just to make sure he/she doesn't lose the electrolite from this/her system when the constipation goes away.
Good Luck
B. B - Jessup, Maryland
Mother of 3 (10, 16 and 21) and business owner
I've heard of this, my son used to eat at least 3 bananas a day until he couldnt use the restroom. I figured out what it was and stopped him from eating so many. Also, when you have loose stools, they tell you to eat bananas as one of things to help your stools. So yes, this is probaby the problem.
My daughter used to get stopped up from bananas..give it a little time..my daughter is almost 10 months and she loves bananas and she doesn't get stopped up anymore.
S.,
BANANAS DEFINITELY CONSTIPATED MY DAUGHTER!!! MIX SOME PUREED PRUNES (WE USE 1/2 CONTAINER OF gERBER'S) WITH PUREED APPLES OR PEARS. aLSO, IF YOU ARE USING FORMULA, TRY SWITCHING BRANDS. wE HAD A BAD TIME WITH ALL POWDERED FORMULA, BUT NO PROBLEMS WITH LIQUID.
GOOD LUCK!!
S....
this is a binding food...so yes it may slow down things a bit...that's why doctors recommend the BRAT diet when your little one has diarhea...bananas, rice, can't remember A right now and toast...hope that helps!
if it does stop your little one up still offer it but only in small amounts...
have a great day,
T.
Yes bananas do cause constipation. The fruit that is a natural laxative is papaya, the ripe kind. Eating too many bananas can make a person constipated.
Yep--the diet for Diarrhea is the BRAT diet--Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast.
Mother of three. I don't know anything about banana's causing constipation but my baby had lots of constipation from his formula. Did you doctor say anything about that? There are some baby lax drops they can take that may give some relieve.
Yes, banana's will 'stop you up'. When diareah (sp?) occurs, docs will tell you to use the BRAT diet. That is Bananas, Rice, Applesauce,Toast.
Yep, bananas thicken the poo. It's a remedy for diarrhea...Apples do also.
Bananas, yogurt, and cheese back my 10 month old up real bad. I was using the apple prune juice as well but my doctor told me that pear juice works better. Crazy right? Anyway, I tried it and it really does! And tastes better too! Now if I do feed her a banana I will feed her pears too. It works great!
Yes, I have heard that bananas can cause constipation. I do not know the reason why though. Maybe because of the dense nature of the fruit.
Hi I am P. my baby is constipated since he was born and you are rigth babanas cause constipation, I should not eat them very often because of that.
Bye
Bananas, rice, and cheese all stop you up. Water helps a lot if your baby is constipated so do prunes and I thought apples.
Hi S.,
My youngest daughter had a lot of problems with constipation, and she loved banana's. Before the doctor would give her anything to help with the constipation, we stopped banana's, rice, and several other foods that she thought could be causing it. In the end, we had to temporarily put her on a mild laxative. Excess iron can cause constipation too. So if your son is on an iron fortified formula this could be the culprit as well.
One thing that you could try with your little one is to put a tablespoon of dark Kayro syrup in each of his bottles. This worked for my little one for a while then it stopped and that is when we went to the laxative.
Good luck!
From my experience, the rice cereal with bananas made my boys constipated. I bought this type of cereal by accident a few times (b/c the box looks the same for regular rice cereal) and experienced constipation.
Good Luck!
K. W.
Hi S.,
YES, Banana's stop you up. It goes along with the BRAT diet (banana's, rice, applesauce, toast). Those are foods that you give children with diarhea to stop them up. What may help, until the banana's get out of his system is apple juice. Applesauce is known to have similar affects as banana's, but giving him juice will actually loosen him up. I have 3 young children, and plenty of experience with diarhea & constipation. Hope this helps! Good luck & God Bless!
Hey S.,
Actually I have heard that. My daughter's not eating solids yet but I used to be in a weight loss/weight maintenance program and that's where I heard that about bananas b/c they're so high in starch/sugars. I don't know if it's true or not. Good luck!!!!
Bananas are one of the foods recommended for children with diarrhea, so I DO think they could be the culprit.
Yes, bananas can do that. If your child ever has diarrhea the doc might tell you to use the BRAT diet - bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. So bananas could very well have that effect on your baby.
Yes, as a matter of fact, our pediatrician racommens bananas to help with diareah. Some people do not tolerate fruit well. It is likely that bananas also give your child gas.
Yes, bananas stop you up. There is also a BRAT diet for children who have loose stools following a virus to help stop them up. BRAT stands for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. Note: applesauce firms stool, yet regular apples loosen stools.
It's not silly! My sister-in-law is a dietitian and she told me that bananas affect different people in different ways. Some people get constipated by them, but they have a laxative affect on others. If I give my 15 month old too much of a banana he gets "stopped up" too. My favorite food resource for babies is http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/. My girlfriends and I have also started an online resource at www.naturalchristianparenting.com. We have several food/nutrition resources listed there as well. Best wishes!
Yes bananas do cause constipation. I use to give my boys over the counter laxitive when they got constipated. It didn't hurt them. ask your pharmacisits, they can guide you in the right direction. Hope this helps.
Yes, I believe my pediatrition told me it was bananas and apples (among other thing) that can contribute to constipation. Try pears or pear juice. They recommended that for my daughter. That and a prescription... but I can't remember the name of the prescription.
Absolutely! I use bananas for my daughter (11 mths old) to help with the diarhea that comes with teething. And when she hasn't gone in a day or two, I use apples and prunes to get things moving. It is normal for bananas to do that (at least from my experience).
Hi, S.. Bananas can cause constipation. They are actually one of the items in the BRAT diet (used for children who are experiencing diarrhea; B - Bananas, R - Rice, A - Applesauce, T - Toast). My twin daughter's both got constipated when we introduced the Rice Cereal.
I have to laugh!! I am the only person in my family who cannot eat bananas because they will cause constipation for me! So it's totally normal and very annoying when it happens.
R. M
yes bananas for some reason can cause constipoation. I would link it to that or possibly early teething. My youngest got her first teeth at 4 months
Yes, have you heard of the BRAT diet? Usually when they are sick with vomitting and diarrhea the doctor will describe you to use the BRAT diet which consists of bananas, rice, apples and toast. These foods usually help stop those symptons. It could be waht is casuing his constipation if he has one daily.
One of the "remedies" for diarrhea is the B(bananas) R(rice) A(applesauce) T(toast) diet, so it seems logical that too many bananas might cause the opposite effect.
Yes, they are part of the BRAT-bananas, rice, applesauce,toast- diet that you give your child when they have the diarrea. Hope this helps.
Yes. When my son had roto virus.... they put him on B.R.A.T. diet to help stop him up. (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) Believe me, the bananas worked. His doctor told me to watch how many bananas I gave him once he started to improve b/c they can cause constipation. I had never heard of it either until then. Good Luck!
Hi , yes, I have heard of this . I have problems with banana's myself . I had eaten a half of one and had to go to hospital and found out that I had irratable bowels. I was told not to eat anything with banana's in it .
D.
yes. Bananas can stop you up. When kids have diarhhea doctors recommend a BRAT diet- bananas, rice applasauce and toast because these things are bland and help to thicken up the bowel movements. Maybe cut down on the bananas and add some prunes. My daughter loved them as a baby and they work! If the taste is too uch plain add the prunes into some baby cereal. Good luck.
Shleby....when my daughter was around that age she had the same problem. Whenever we would give her baby food that was banana she would be constipated for days. Our pediatrition did say banana is binding and sometimes to harsh on little ones tummys. He also said sometimes it doesn't bother them at all. We stopped giving it to her and she was fine. I started again when she was around one and now she is alsmost two and is fine with it. I try and make sure when she has a banana she has some fiber that day too and it seems to keep it balanced. I hop that helps!
C. S
Hi. Yes, Banana's can cause constipation. I always remember this when our children have gastrointestinal viruses and our pediatrician reminds us to follow the "BRATT" diet - banana's, rice, apples, and toast and tea. This basically allows the bowels to bind up after bouts of diarrhea. In moderation, banana's alone should not cause constipation, but for small infants and children, a quarter to half a banana constitutes a serving. I hope this helps!
My son had the same problem. He couldn't have bananas. I would give him apple or pear juice to help with the constipaion. If that didn't work I was suppose to put minerial oil in his juice. (i can't remember how much but your doctor could help you). Hope this was helpful.
T.
The M.O.M. Team, Helping Moms stay home
www.cheerforyourfuture.com
This is not a silly question. Yes this is known to cause constipation in some children. I have been working with kids for over 15 years and have worked with several who were constipated by bananas. Through trial and error you can see if this is the problem; just stop feeding him bananas and see what happens. If there is no relief it could be another food he is eating or his formula. You may need to contact your Doctor if is persists.
Hi S. -
Shortly after giving birth back in November, I was unfortunately experiencing problems with diarrhea. (TMI - I know..) Anyhow, when I went to the Dr. for this problem - they recommended that I follow a BRAT diet. BRAT stands for... Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. So, I believe the answer to your constipation question is yes - bananas may the the culprit. They recommend you eat them when you have diarrhea b/c they help to "stop" things up. :-)Try removing them from his diet and see if this helps his problem. Also, I'm not sure if your son is on formula or not? Probably not since you're giving him bananas. Just in case he is, I know a lot of babies have trouble with constipation due to formula. My Dr. recommends adding about 2 ounces of apple or prune juice mixed with 2 ounces of water in between feedings. That seems to help get things moving again for my daughter. (She's almost 4 months and is exclusively formula fed.) Good luck!
C.
Hey S., I don't know if you have received any data concerning this or not, but I will share with you my experience with this problem.
Banana's will constipate you and so will cheese..........When my daughter was 5 months old and as aweful as this sounds, the constipation was so bad that it had to be somewhat dug out...........The doctor had told me that the next time I want my child to eat things that are good for them to make them take a bite of applesause, then a bite of banana or cheese and you continue to do this until the banana or cheese is gone.
It makes perfect sense because if we give them just all applesause it seems that they have diarhea and banana's are the same way except it binds the system. As an adult I also learned that same technique with adults eating steak, instead of just eating all steak at one time, I learned to eat a bite of salad and then a bite of steak so as not to be binded or have loose stools.
Another thing the doctor had me do when my daughter was binded up was to eat dry toast or crackers, I have no idea what that was supposed to do as it seems like you are putting fiber and maybe the fiber breaks down the hard stools..........I don't know.
Certain vitamins such as high amounts of iron can cause a youngster to get binded as well as certain medications like cough medicine.
Hope this helped a little.
A little about me:
I own a consulting business, my children are grown up now with children of their own :)
If the bananas have been cooked they can cause constipation.
Hi S.,
Yes, I have heard of this. Try giving him a drop of karo syrup in his milk. Apple juice or pear juice also works well for constipation
Bananas can ABSOLUTELY stop you up. I had never heard it either but it causes consitpation for both of my boys. I still give them both a little banana, but I usually mix it with applesauce to keep it from constipating them.
The other thing I have heard about bananas is they can cause heartburn. They seem like such a mild fruit, but I have heard it from several people I know that bananas give them heartburn.
Oh yes! Bananas are a definite cause of constipation for my daughter and always has been. I usually give her some 1-2times a week, and alternate with pears, prunes, or other water dense fruits.
It sure can. Whne people get diarreha the doc say to eat a brat diet, banana, rice, apple sauce & toast! If you want to quit feeding him bananas, the add apple juice or prunes with it.
Why is a 5 month old being fed food, isn't it a bit early?
Feeding babies too early can cause allergies.
God Bless
Bananas definitely stop you up! If you want to continue to give your baby bananas, also give your son 2-4 ounces of pear juice. That will fix him right up! My son would get constipated for days and as soon as I gave him some pear juice, it would all come out. Be prepared! It is completely normal for babies his age to be constipated, so don't worry. If he doesn't "go" for a couple of days in a row, try the juice. This was recommended to me by my pediatrician and worked like a charm.
Banana's are part of the BRAT diet that you're supposed to follow for diahrea. Bananas, Rice, Apples, Toast. I don't think they cause constipation, but I think they can make constipation worse. I'm not a doctor - just a mom and I have found this with my children. Try prunes. They always help my kids when they get constipated. I also found that the rice cereal really makes my kids constipated. I think it's all the extra iron they put in it. I use the oatmeal cereal more and I definately add some prunes in their diet here and there. Good luck!
Our pediatrician told us with both children that bananas were one of those foods that were great for them but that is many kids they cause constipation, but in some kids they cause the opposite. So it just depends on each child- but with our kids they cause constipation.
Hi S.,
I've heard the same thing about bananas (same with applesauce and with the baby cereal). I had luck with giving my son prunes.
Hope this helps!
L.
Hi S.,
Yes - too many bananas can do this. In fact, bananas are often recommended as a great food to give anyone (kids too) whose stomach is fine (no nausea) but has diarrhea. My pediatrician recommended that foods and juices with higher sugar content can sometimes help with constipation - apple juice, apple sauce, prune juice, etc. People often think prune juice is the fix because of the fiber, but my pediatrician said it's actually the sugar.
Good luck!
Not an odd question at all. My baby is 2 now and when she was about the same age as your little one we had the same problems. Bananas and applesauce will constipate. I used to mix prune and apple juice b/c Kayla would need drink straight prune juice.
Yep, a banana can be the culprit!
Yes, Bananas are constipating! My daughters loves bananas but struggles with constipation so we have to really limit them.
bananas are definitely a "binding" fruit....try peaches or grapes....they always seem to work on my little ones
Hi S.!
I just recently took my almost 2 yr. old daughter to the doctor for a check-up and was a little concerned about blood in one of her stools. My daughter still prefers drinking lots of milk and eats lots of bananas. My doctor told me that these two things can cause constipation and to drastically reduce her milk intake to no more than 20 ounces a day (for her age) and to cut out the bananas right now because it does cause constipation. I now give her bananas from time to time, but really monitor her intake because I now know that it causes constipation.
Yes - bananas can "stop you up" When you have diarrhea, they tell you to not eat anything except "BRAT" Bananas, Rice, Apples and Toast... these things help stop the diarrhea, so, it would make sense that bananas would cause consipation.. I am not sure (rusty memory) but, I think at 5 months, it is too early to begin feeding your child fruit. You might want to check with your doctor about that. Best wishes with the baby...
Bananas are rapidly digestible carbohydrates and contain very little fiber. They may not "cause" constipation, but they surely won't help it. My daughter gets constipated a lot, so I try to increase the veggies or whole grain in her diet. I would try to feed your son some of the green veggies and try to sneak some water into him.
I have definitely heard of this and actually experienced it myself. I used to be very athletic and I would eat bananas to counteract muscle aches from lactic acid buildup, but I accidentally ate too many once and completey bound my system up for a few days. Cheese can do the same thing. These things are good for children, but the general rule is everything in moderation. And try getting your little one to drink lots of water, there's no better way to combat constipation that lots of water.
Hope this helps.
i have heard of it, bananas do cause constipation . my daughter has had issue her whole life, milk and cheese will also do it, and also not enough water will as well.
S.,
I have heard of this before. Infact the rule for stopping diarreah(sp?)is the BRAT diet which is bananas,rice,apples,toast. So, bananas could cause constipation.
BD
I was always told that a child should not have any solid foods until 6-8 months old except they can have rice cereal as young as 5 months. That fact alone could be causing the digestive issues.
For constipation, give your child a bit (2 ounces or so a day) of prune or apple juice mixed in with the formula or breast milk. Whatever the cause of the constipation, that should at least help.
Hi S.,
Had you thought about calling CHKD and talking to a nutritionist? Good luck. D.
When kids have diarrhea, doctors often recommend the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, appplesauce, toast) to firm up their stool.
Whenever my son ate a lot of bananas, I always made sure I have him a little prunes to counter it.
Now that he's 2 yrs old, I just try to balance it out with other fruits and veggies to keep him regular. (I haven't used prunes since he stopped eating baby food.)
