I just started feeding my 5 mth old rice cereal and she isnt pooping. i gave her some prune juice(diluted) and she pooped once but nothing since and that was two days ago. talked to her pedi and they said it was normal and to do the prune juice or karo syrup but im wondering if anyone else has any ideas or is going through the same thing?

Christa - posted on 04/21/2009

Wow they suggested Karo syrup... now my pedi said never give that because they can get botchalism(I think that is how you spell it) It can kill them. Be careful. I know my son is 5 mo now and he went almost 10 days w/out pooping but thatwas when he was 3 mo old.. they said they do that when they are growing. They hold onto everything,nothing to get rid of. They need it.

Jennifer - posted on 04/21/2009

I find that apple juice works best for my little one, just watch how much you give them! I gave her too much once and it was diarreha city! also try making a tea with hot water, fennel seeds a little sugar. That helps with upset stomachs as well, just make sure the starin the seeds very well

Molly - posted on 04/21/2009

I noticed nobody said rubbing their baby's tummy or doing leg exercises. no exercise constipates also.... try moving her legs around, doing bicycles and tucks and stuff. it's fun playtime and you dont have to feed your child something you dont want to. just a thought. I just started rice cereal and he isn't pooping as much, but a little baby exercise goes a long way. feel her tummy. if it's hard, rub/massage it. also, if she's still farting, that means she's not really stopped up, maybe just slowed. most pediatricians dont recommend juice until a year old. also, give less rice cereal. it binds. gl

Helen - posted on 04/21/2009

Hi Amanda, my son is the same. Since solids were introduced he only goes about once every two days. Before that he was usually once a day. I haven't done prune juice on anything, I figure if he looks like he's getting distressed then I'll give him some, but I think his digestion is just getting used to real food!!

Odette - posted on 04/20/2009

May I ask how much rice cereal you are giving per feeding?

Kelly - posted on 04/20/2009

My daughter was straining & gassy after rice cereal. We switched her to oatmeal cereal and she pooped 7 days in a row! She looked so relieved and was much happier! And her poop was more normal!

Amanda - posted on 04/19/2009

I heard the Rice Cereal can really back the babies up and that you should try Oatmeal instead. It's up to you. I've been using Oatmeal and he had an issue once but now it's back to normal. Up to you.

Amy - posted on 04/19/2009

My pedi said only 4 days on rice cereal, then try applesauce for 4 days, then bananas for 4 days (with waiting a couple days in between each new food) etc, we found we've had the most problems with plums! (Said to be one of the better foods for a 4 month (shes 5today ) old. We just switched her back to applesauce and have had no problems. Applesauce also helps them poop. Bananas can contipate them. Our pedi actually hasnt told us we can give her any juice yet...hmm...

Elizabeth - posted on 04/19/2009

I had this same problem with my first son. I just stopped the rice cereal all together and switched to oatmeal. Rice is very binding on their bellies and is hard to digest. Good luck and hope that helps.

Amanda - posted on 04/10/2009

Are you breast feeding?  Do you drink tea a lot?  My baby was only pooping every 2-3 days for a while (she usually goes every day).  And I could tell she was uncomfortable--I did research on it and found out that if you drink tea the tanin it it gets passed to your baby and can constipate them.  I felt horrible and needless to say I've cut back and we haven't had much of a problem since.  If it's getting near the end of the day and she hasn't went, I'll maybe give her some diluted apple juice.

Jen - posted on 04/08/2009

My dr said not to dilute the prune juice! Also 1-4 oz of water a day helps too!

Ashley - posted on 04/07/2009

since i started giving my 4 1/2 month old son food he has had problems pooping so i just give him a couple ounces of pear juice or any kind of fruit juice and he poops everyday.

Whittney - posted on 04/07/2009

It's normal my daughter did the same, as long as he isn't in pain or straining his tummy will get used to it. Dilute the Cereal a little more and see if that helps, or just feed cereal every other day for a while.

Kim - posted on 04/06/2009

My second son was like that for a while. He only pooped every 3 days for about 2 months. The doctor said it was fine as long as he wasn't straining and that it was soft and it was. I would just keep giving the prune juice once a day if she is having difficulty.