Solid food = Constipation ?!?

O

OX Jess

Registered User
My son is 6.5 months old and I have started him on solid food when he was 5.5 months old. At the very beginning (before he turned 6 months), I fed him mainly on organic rice porridge mixed with formula once a day and a small portion of apple puree and I didn't notice any problem with his poo-poo, which was still more or than like a thick porridge (sorry for my explicit description!)

Since he's turned 6 months, I mixed some mashed carrot / pea / acavado / banana / pear into his rice porridge, which I fed him every lunch. And I continue to give him fruit purees in the late afternoon. He is still fed 3 times formula a day. However, since last week his poo-poo became very hard and I can see he is having difficulty to pass them out. He passed a tiny bit each time and he made 2-3 times a day. He drinks awful lot of water every day (he likes water more than milk!) so it shouldn't be an issue of lack of water.

I try to think it is normal as he is now fed more on solid food so it is natural for him to have solid waste?!? But I can't stop worrying if he is having constipation problem? Can anyone let me know if your baby has gone through similar stage and it is normal or not? THANKS!
 
my mum suggested the BEST thing... when you mix up the food, add a very little bit of prune juice to it!

that should help the problem, but you are right. the more solid the food, the more solid the waste (usually).
 
are you mixing a combination for veggies or just a couple at a time? try upping the amount of pear or perhaps introducing broccoli (my daughter really likes it and it helps with the poo-poo)
 
My friend told me that bananas gave her baby constipation problems so she had to stop giving it for a while.
 
I second the prunes. Gerber Organics makes prune puree. It works.
Also whole grain cereals, like oats, mixed grain, brown rice gets the little bowels working to push it all out.
 
Also look at the Iron levels he/she may be taking in collectively from both the formula and rice cereal. Even though at 6 months the need for Iron increases with children, he/she may be getting too much?
This is often the cause of constipation (as is banana's). Keep with fruits and vegetales that have a high soluble fibre content (wet fibre, so more moist fruits and veg's).
Hope you see some improvement.
Cheers
 
I also had the same problem (my baby is now 7 months old) and found that it has improved with prunes in his porridge. Also we have now moved off rice cereal completely and this has helped too.
 
Thanks for your replies.

His poo-poo is getting better over the last few days, since I have given him a larger portion on veggies, e.g. zucchini, cucumber, sweet potatoes. I still give him daily portion of fruit (apple/pear). I wasn't aware of the banana issue though I give him mashed banana no more than twice a week. Haven't tried the prune juice yet as I couldn't found fresh prunes sold in the market and I doubt if I should get concentrated prune juice. Will look into Gerber Organic prunes as suggested.

Thanks, seaprincess, yes, I think iron may be an issue too, as since he's turned 6 months, I'm concerned that he may not have enough iron (as I am told the storage of iron in a baby starts to lose by 6 months) so I bought him some iron-fortified cereal... and fed him two tablespoons every day. I have stopped it several days ago and his poo-poo turned 'soft'. Not sure it is directly related.

Hope the problem solved now and thanks for your responses.
 
Shenzhennifer , I also wonder where to buy Gerber Organics prunes.

My 7 month son had constipation early. But once I stop rice cereal and gave him pear and broccoli puree, it improves.

I would like to ask too which prune juice do you use and where I can get it.

Thanks.
 
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