But WHY is my baby so constipated?

[TessTing123]

She is 7 months old. Has been having solids for about 6 weeks.

She's mostly still on milk (breastfed).

She has a bit of a go with food when we sit down to eat 2 or 3 times a day.

She eats...

Melon (water, yellow and orange)
Peach
Pear
Figs
Apricot
Mango
Cucumber
Carrot (cooked & raw)
Butternut squash (roast)
Sweet potato (roast)
Broccoli
rice (sometimes with a bit of coconut milk)
dahl (red lentils, onion, tomato, carrot, a few spices)

And that's about it.

No dairy or eggs or wheat yet.

Why why why is she straining and turning purple and taking 4 days to do a poo? And when she does it's dry as anything. She's miserable.

I have tried giving her the odd prune but she's not too keen.

She really doesnt eat much solid food at all. We just put some on her high chair and she plays and sucks it. We're not pureeing or feeding it to her.

Help.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Is she drinking any water with her meals?

I would give her a wider range of foods at this age too. Is there a reason you have delayed wheat? Because there is an optimum window, after while the likelihood of allergy can increase.

[Vix07]

Is she perhaps a little dehydrated? Try giving her water 1/2 hr before she eats

[TessTing123]

Yes to water with her meals.

No particular reason for delaying wheat. Just thought bread might be a bit salty. Could give her some pasta. Will that bung her up even more though?

[TessTing123]

Maybe she needs more water.

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

Bread is fine, honestly. It almost sounds like her body is wanting there to be more for it to deal with.

We did BLW with both of ours, I would just hand her a sandwich and see what happens.

How much carrot does she have? Because that actually absorbs water and can constipate you.

[Portofino]

My dd was similar when she first started weaning. I used to mix prune juice in with fromage frais and baby rice etc and it did nothing. Ended up with lactulose from the GP but it settled down within a few months.

[MrClaypole]

Has she eaten any banana?

It bungs DS2 up so badly we have had to cut it out of his diet completely. Very odd cos DS1 was fine with it!

[TessTing123]

She used to have banana but since this constipation I've cut it out as I'd heard it could be a cause.

She has a fair bit of carrot. Wonder if that's the problem.

[TessTing123]

Anyone else think she needs a wider range of foods at this stage?

I've not been deliberately cautious, just been giving her things as we have them in the house. I feel like we've really only just got started.

[notcitrus]

mine were both similar at 7mo, but by 8mo were eating significant amounts - ds mostly mash off a spoon, dd more finger food.
Dd is currently having trouble farting though the output doesn't seem constipated - been cutting out banana and will try reducing carrot too. She's not a fan of water but is bfing lots so hoping will help.

Sounds like your dd is starting to enjoy the adventure of food - she'll get there!

[butterfingerz]

Try cooking whatever fruit or veg she has and add a little water or stock, or as you've been using coconut milk then add a little of that. Cooking will make the food more digestible. Maybe she's getting constipation from the raw food - too much fibre? Try peeling the skins off the fruit/veg too.

I wouldn't introduce wheat until she's less constipated, it won't help. Tummy friendly grains like fine oatmeal or rice are ok, best soaked overnight to improve digestibility. Perhaps the lentils in the dahl are causing problems?

Food is supposed to complement breastfeeding at 7 months, not replace it so don't force too much food, a tsp here and there. Breastmilk has 100% bioavailability, no food will come close at this age - its just to let them have fun with new tastes, even if they don't eat any of it.