constipation, poop references

[maptome]

Warning: This is a gross question.

DD is almost 8 months and loves her solids. She's been a bit fussy lately and I'm trying to figure out if she's a little constipated or if it's something else. I know that babies poops change as they eat solids, and all babies are different. Can someone give me a reference as to how hard the stool needs to be to be constipation? At what thickness do you think babies start to "strain" or have discomfort? She just made one that was like peanut butter. Can someone answer with references to familiar things.

Also, if constipated, does the pain come and go; is it constant; or is it just when trying to pass stools?

[slimkins]

I'm new to this too, but I think peanut butter is perfectly fine. From everything I have heard, you have to watch for "hard, pellet like" stools. My son just started to have a little bit of solids the past three weeks, and his last several poos have pretty been just like mine. Formed but not hard. He only goes once a week, but for the first time, in months, he has gone two days in a row. I took a pic of it in his potty to send to my husband to show him that he went today, too. I know silly, but I guess if you need the reference, I could always post it for you.

and you were worried about being the gross one.

[zenproof]

im actually worrying about this also. my son is just about 6mos and ive been giving him homemade purees for the last two weeks (he has been all about food).

for awhile now he has only been pooing once every couple days, and last week they were very 'peanut buttery'. nasty. like trucker poo. lol.

but this last week or so, ive noticed he has been straining a lot and grunting. sometimes he cries. and out pops this little turd after a lot of straining this morning - when i expected he'd have a load. total turtlehead. ha.

hard.

i looked up what sears had to say about it - and one of his suggestions was to sit them in warm water waiste deep. so when he started grunting again - i ran him to the tub - and SHO NUFF - he let er rip. poor guy. they were all a bit on the harder side but at least he got some more out.

im going to switch from rice to oatmeal (i use to thicken the veggies/fruits) and see if that doesn't help.

who knows.

[Kelly1101]

Originally Posted by zenproof

like trucker poo.

ROTFL, hahahaha.

im going to switch from rice to oatmeal (i use to thicken the veggies/fruits) and see if that doesn't help.

Probably will. Rice/Applesauce/Bananas all can constipate.

[Alisse]

I was having problems with constipation. My son (6months) only eats solids once a day, so every other day he gets a puree that is conducive to softening BM's, like prune or pear or peach. Plus, he gets a bit of water or juice everyday.