constipation after starting solids

My DD turned 4mos old last Sunday and she was def. ready to start solids.. her ped. agreed so we went ahead. we did 1 day of rice cereal but switched to oatmeal. She LOVES it. but today was the 2nd time that i could see she was really struggling to poop. She was in so much pain.. it broke my heart...and i could see that she only got a little out when i changed her. she also cried a little when i was cleaning there.

The doctor had mentioned that if the cereal makes her a little constipated we could give her an ounce of water with each feeding. But DD didn't seem to thrilled with the idea of water. I'm sure that will take some getting used to. but she seems so uncomfortable. Any suggestions TIA..

Re: constipation after starting solids

I gives prunes every other to every third day and I also give apple/prune juice the little ones from gerber. Just an ounce

Re: constipation after starting solids

DS had the same problem when he started solids. I would give him pear and prune juice and also mix some of the juice in with whatever he was eating. When that didn't work, I'd give him prunes to eat for a few days in a row and that would usually do the trick.

Re: constipation after starting solids

our little guy has to eat prunes almost daily

Re: constipation after starting solids

I gave prunes then, it worked like a charm

Re: constipation after starting solids

Thanks ladies. Maybe i'll try that. I think she'll do much better once we introduce baby food into her diet instead of just cereal.

Re: constipation after starting solids

Definitely try prunes

Re: constipation after starting solids

Our daughter is 4 months old. Our pediatrician had us start cereal at 3 months. When she began to get a little constipated, she told us to put karo syrup(in the cooking aisle at the grocery store) 1 teaspoon twice a day in her bottles. It helped.

We have been giving her fruit ( a new fruit every 3 days). She seemed to get constipated with peaches. She hadn't gone to the bathroom (#2) in a ady and hald and she had been going 3 times a day. Today she struggled so hard to go and when I looked in her diaper, it was small and hard. I gave her Pedia-Lax Liquid Glycerin Suppository(it says it for ages 2-5, but my pediatrician gave me the ok) This was the second time I used it. It works within 2 minutes (keep a diaper underneath) and I wait about 7 minutes or so for her to finish. A lot came out and she seemed so much happier after she was done.

We started prunes tonight, so we'll see what happens.

Re: constipation after starting solids

Prunes... For a While Carlie had 1 oz of Prune Juice every morning to keep it under control... then she was fine...

ETA I am not sure though at 4 months as I didn't start until 6 months... so I would check with you Ped... maybe that is telling you that maybe she isn't ready to start solids...

Message edited 2/21/2011 1:09:56 AM.

Re: constipation after starting solids

we just started last month @ 4.5 mo with DS. he was constipated and didnt go all day on sat. then yest Sunday he only had a hard nugget. poor thing! i did the take his temp thing-rectal...it worked before bed he had a good movement. I am going to get prune juice or prune baby food to help move things along.
DD started food at 4months no probs issues or constipation

Re: constipation after starting solids

DD started eating solids at 4 months too. But, the ped told me to only give her rice cereal with stage 1 fruits and veg. Now at 6 months, we got the ok to go to stage 2 foods and to start incorporating oatmeal, barley and mixed grains. Maybe oatmeal is still a little hard for her to digest? I would say stick with the rice cereal (1-2 tbs with water and a bit of formula for some flavor) 2 times a day for a week. Then, start adding 1-2 tbs of rice to fruit and veg (i mix the rice with her fruit and with her veg). It might be easier for her to handle as an introduction. HTH!

Re: constipation after starting solids

The rice cereal will do it. That stuff is the devil!
But yes, even on other solids, she was pooping more solid. But I chalked that up to her eating more solid, kwim?

Now whenever she seems a bit backed up, I feed her prunes.
Within about 12-24 hours- problem solved! (In a BIG way! )