Helping a Constipated 6 Month Old

[JuniperMama]

My DD just started solids last week. She was doing rice cereal and carrots, 2x/day. This was going fine but she's gotten super constipated and has been quite upset trying to get a poop out for the past day or so. I BF on demand and she gets pumped milk throughout the day while I'm at work. We discontinued the cereal today and offered prunes and pears but so far no luck. I even tried very dilute apple juice but she's not interested in it at all.

I feel so bad for her. Got any suggestions?

Thanks!

[wombatclay]

Big hugs!

Rice is a pretty "binding" food, especially the super refined rice cereal. In general rice cereal doesn't have a lot going for it (other than a really low risk of allergy) so unless there is a specific reason you're starting with rice cereal you may want to try something else.

Whole brown rice perhaps if you really want to stick with rice, apples or pears perhaps, maybe chicken or avocado? All of those are good first foods and less binding/more nutritious than the rice cereal.

For now though... backing off the solids and increasing the fluid intake is probably the best way to resolve the problem. Tummy massage and warm baths can also help your little one relax and let loose! I know how miserable constipation can be (my dd2 eventually needed perscription assistance to treat chronic constipation) and I hope your little one is feeling better fast!

[Carlin]

I agree with all the PP suggestions. In addition, I'd add more water to her diet with each solid food meal, either by mixing it into her food or by giving her a drink fom a cup / sippy cup / bottle.
I hope she feels better soon!

[Kelly1101]

Definitely cut out the cereals and carrots. Keep trying to offer pears and prunes, and diluted juice (prune, pear, apple). Also offer water. Nurse, nurse, nurse. The better hydrated she is, the easier she'll work through it.

In the future keep in mind that constipating foods besides cereals and cooked carrots are cooked apples (and applesauce) and bananas. Any time you give those foods, make sure you're giving something like pear as well to avoid the constipation.

Hope it works out soon, mine went through a really really bad period of that a while back, I know how much it sucks