My 6 month old just started solids 2 days back. He is severely constipated. Has anyone faced this situation?

Question

He has had boiled carrots and potato. He also had some banana yesterday. He is having solid at one mealtime only. I have given him water and he is drinking it. Rest of the time he is breastfed. Any ideas?

Answer 1

I only ever had problems with rice cereal, never with vegies
How do u know hes constipated? Breast feed babies can go days without doing poohs, maybe give it a few days and see how he goes the solids may have slowed his metablisim and when they start on solids their poohs arnt as runny as when theyre on only breastmilk

Answer 2

It is very uncommon for breastfed babies to get constipated so it may be the solids that you fed him. Usually you should start with one type of food for a week to see if it causes anything weird like allergy, constipation? etc...
At this stage it could be the banana, potato or carrot. Tomorrow, and for the next 5days, try just giving him one thing and see if anything improves, then try the next thing along with the first thing since you have ruled it out.

Keep doing this until you have ruled everything out of pinpointed the problem. He could just be constipated because of the solids generally and his body will correct it. I wouldn't give him the banana first as this can sometimes cause constipation (if my child has diarrhea, banana's can help stop it so you don't want to bind him up anymore)
Try plain potato first then go from there. Keep up the breastfeeds but give solids after a feed not before. Keep up the water to but again, don't replace milk yet.

If nothing has changed in 2-3days then take him to the child health nurse for a check up!

Good luck

Answer 3

If you truly believe he is constipated- he may not be ready for solids. One, make sure that is the real problem, if so try switching to oatmeal or the barley, it is broken down more easily by the body. If the baby still has problems, you may want to delay solid foods for awhile longer. Also offer water, or diluted juice more often to help with hydration.

You may also be feeding to often- when I started solids, I only offered them one time a day and built up- this could also be a reason for constipation if you have offered more than once.

Answer 4

Yes, we waited... well, he was a week shy of 6 months, same difference. I think anytime between 5-6 months is fine. The reason it is recommended to wait is because of numerous things.. some babies aren't ready until 5-6 months so the AAP made this the standard age recommendation for starting solids. Also, their digestive systems are more developed to handle the solids. I am shocked by people who start their babies on solids at 6 weeks.. their digestive systems are still too young! Also, a baby under 6 months gets everything he/she needs from breastmilk/formula. Even starting solids at 6 months shouldn't replace breastmilk/formula meals. At this early of an age, starting solids is just to get your baby introduced to new tastes and textures. Just my thoughts. ;-)

Answer 5

If you are sure that he is constipated then a common recommendation is a tablespoon of prune juice mixed in with the meal every few days and continue to offer cooled boiled water throughour the day.
2 days after starting might be a bit early to worry unless he is obviously uncomfortable. I would wait a bit longer and see what happens.

All the best

Answer 6

At this stage I put my baby on baby magic tea twice a night to rid of constipation and tummy ache.

Answer 7

Bananas can do that, by the way, try to avoid them for now, see what happens. Also, rice cereal too. Try oatmeal instead. prune juice is great. Besides are you sure he is constipated?

Answer 8

When my nephew was constipated my sister gave him some pear puree and that solved the problem. Maybe you can try that.

Answer 9

Not sure, but I know bananas are constipating.