Constipation with introducing solids?

Tami - posted on 02/03/2010

Thanks all for such great suggestions! I have just started adding prune/apple juice to his cereal instead of water. And am pushing the water too. He gets lots of fruit and veggies, but maybe the cereal is just too much, we're doing small amounts morning and evening.
My girlfriend suggested mineral oil too, and I know the label says not to for under 6 years of age but she swore by it. So much info, and so much advice! Now to weigh it all and see what works for us. Also have to factor in the nanny. There are some things I would just rather be at home to do (suppositories, etc) because I hate to think of something going wrong and me not being here for him. I'd rather start with dietary changes.
Oh, and had tried the juice a few weeks ago, diluted 50/50 with water, and he hated it. But it has been a few weeks so maybe he'll like it this time. Each day is a new opportunity for his tastes to change, right?
Thanks all, I do appreciate the feedback and advice. And Hannah, you are right - moms and poo... :-)

Shelley - posted on 02/02/2010

pears and pear juice has worked for my kids

Jenny - posted on 02/02/2010

Ditto on the apple juice. It worked for my kids. I usually did half juice half water.

Hannah - posted on 02/02/2010

I was going to say one of the things Courtney has listed- water water water! If not, apple juice, as that contains fibre too. Worked for my first baby. Dehydration is a common cause of constipation (in adults too!) as, to be colourful, the large intestine holds on to the poo longer to try to absorb more liquid back into the body, and the poo becomes hard. Oh, us mums could talk all day about poo.... why is that? lol!

Courtney - posted on 02/02/2010

This came straight from mayoclinic.com:



If your newborn seems to be constipated, contact his or her doctor for advice. If your older baby seems to be constipated, try simple dietary changes:



Water. Offer your baby a daily serving of water in addition to usual feedings. Start with 2 to 4 ounces (about 60 to 120 milliliters). Try more or less as you gauge your baby's response to the water.



Fruit juice. If water doesn't seem to help, offer your baby a daily serving of apple, prune or pear juice in addition to usual feedings. Start with 2 to 4 ounces (about 60 to 120 milliliters), and experiment to determine whether your baby needs more or less.



High-fiber baby foods. If your baby is eating solid foods, try high-fiber baby foods — such as barley cereal and pureed pears or prunes. Avoid rice cereal.



You may also want to apply a small amount of water-based lubricant to your baby's anus to ease the passage of hard stools. Don't use mineral oil, laxatives or enemas to treat infant constipation.







When my son was constipated, I diluted about 1oz of prune juice with water and that seemed to unplug him for the next 3 days. Hope this helps!

Melissa - posted on 02/02/2010

Hi Tami, I was just reading through my Baby 411 book because I'm considering starting solids or rice cereal after her 4month birthday. The authors suggest a few things like glycerin bullet or prune juice. The glycerine bullet is a suppository that you can get over the counter and in infant form.