Constipation w/ Solid Foods

Kim - posted on 07/07/2009

Glad to hear the prunes helped. That is what I would have suggested. I'm also VERY glad you did some research before giving your baby karo syrup. None of that or honey, etc. And also, babies that age (6 months) shouldn't have citrus yet either so no orange juice until your ped says it's ok. I was concerned about my baby being constipated when we started on solids. Cereal and bananas will result in harder stools while applesauce, pears, prunes and peas will result in softer stools. I mix it up for her. With cereals she gets apple/pear sauce, with peas or sweet potatoes she gets bananas. We have not had any problems with constipation. Cute baby BTW!!!

Gail - posted on 07/07/2009

This is an article I found that may be very helpful to everyone from wholesome baby food web page..www.wholesomebabyfood.com

Relieving Constipation in Babies Younger than 4 Months:

Try giving one to two ounces of diluted fruit juice such as grape, prune or apple-prune twice daily and practice some of the above exercises. (Always consult your pediatrician about the appropriateness of new foods/liquids to help alleviate constipation) Learn about Fruit Juice in your baby's diet.



Relieving Constipation in Babies 4 Months to 12 months + by Changing the Food Diet

Try strained foods that contain high fiber such as:

apricots

prunes

peaches

plums

pears

peas

spinach


In older infants who are just beginning solid foods, you may want to avoid baby foods such as rice cereal, applesauce and bananas as these may aggravate constipation.

Barley or oatmeal cereals, prunes, peaches, plums, apricots and most vegetables are preferred when baby has constipation.



Juices are helpful, especially apple or prune, but use in moderation, as they are not as nutritious for babies as formula or breast milk.



If Your Baby is Constipated, Remember the BRAT diet.

The BRAT diet is used for the treatment of diarrhea in infants - BRAT stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. An easy and natural way to remember how to alleviate baby's constipation is to cut out the foods that contribute to it - rice cereals, bananas, and applesauce. If you ever forget which foods to cut out, remember BRAT.

Gail - posted on 07/07/2009

We have that same problem. We also use prunes and prune juice and it works great. I have also stopped using the rice cereal and only use the oatmeal and it keeps him pretty regular. I also give my little one water on a daily basis, usually 4 to eight ounces over the day, or as much as he wants. It doesn't affect the bottle or feeding schedule..

Amber - posted on 06/27/2009

Prunes worked for my little girl. I find rice cereal really backs her up so I avoid it and use the oats cereal instead as well as offering plenty of veggies.

Nicole - posted on 06/25/2009

Hi all,

thx for the suggestions. Prune Juice works wonders! She is back to normal, except for purple-tinged poo. Thank god she will drink the juice, personally I think it is nasty! I am so relieved I didn't have to use a suppository!



p.s. I read about the Karo Syrup - they said there is the whole issue w/ those spores (same as in honey) that are dangerous, and they discourage using, even though they say it works.

Mary Jo - posted on 06/24/2009

The prunes worked for us as well. Whenever I notice my daughter's poops are harder than normal, I give her Gerber prunes at one of her meals and it works every time. Also, keep in mind that their stools get more solid when you start with the baby food meats.

Sharyn - posted on 06/24/2009

if your baby drinks from a bottle, then give them karo syrup .... 1 tablespoon per 8 ounces.

Kerry - posted on 06/24/2009

I have to say that I THOUGHT my little one was constipated as he went from about 6 times a day to every 3 days or so. I used the thermometer (shudder), suppositories, and prunes. Finally, I went to the doctor and he said that up to 5 days is okay. Go figure that I was just being a crazy first time mom. When I "helped" him, it was loose stool and that meant he wasn't having trouble and it was just me:) Now that he is used to solids (it has been a few weeks) he is okay. I also stopped with the rice cereal and use mixed with oatmeal. The rice stops them up. I hope this helps!

Rose - posted on 06/24/2009

Yes PRUNES work! My baby became constipated after I started giving her solids also (baby foods).... I just have her half a jar of baby gerber prunes and the same day she was all better. It comes and goes, so every few days I repeat it.

Nicki - posted on 06/24/2009

I would try prunes before giving suppositiries or anything like that. I've heard that pears are also good. Also, if she is eating a lot of bananas, cut down on them, they can cause constipation. My little guy has difficulty going if he has bananas more than every other day.

Jennifer - posted on 06/23/2009

my ped recomends karo syrup just a few drops in the bottle works every time.....

Amy - posted on 06/23/2009

Just give pure orange juice, 1 part juice to 10 parts water... That works every time!!! My son goes within an hour of having it, and then we go back to normal... If that doesn't work, try gripe water. That helps too!! Have fun! xxx

Julia - posted on 06/23/2009

Try one ounce apple juice or prune juice with 3 ounces of water. Thats usually takes care of it but if that doesnt work for you, give your baby a warm bath and massage their lower back and belly in a downward motion!

Michelle - posted on 06/23/2009

Poor thing!! I didn't really have this problem long. She only did it when we tried her on the rice cereal and we just cut back on the amount she got at each meal. Since she started eating other foods we have not had a problem and she is going 2-3 times a day. Good luck though :)

Joanna - posted on 06/22/2009

I had the same problem with my bub, I tried coloxyl drops and that did nothing. Then when it started to get worse I had to give her sapositories (sorry about spelling) every couple of days. Then I gave her stewed prunes with each meal and after a couple of days the prunes definitely helped. I tried the prune juice too but she wasn't drinking enough of it to make any difference. The prunes mixed with some fruit seemed to do the job. I had to give her prunes for about 2 weeks and now she is fine. But having some sapositories on hand was great as it gave her instant relief when I saw she just couldn't go.

Hope this helps.