Tummy ache - weaning question

[Skillbo]

I know I should probably post this in 'Weaning' but am hopeful there is a bit more traffic here, and it is a developmental question...?

Basically, weaning DS who is 6m - he was ebf until this point. He has pretty speedy and explosive digestion and he has also never been a great sleeper. However, since we started (last Monday), he has been really unsettled at night and has been arching his back and straining something chronic. Although I didn't expect weaning to be a magic button, I thought he might go slightly longer between wakings but if anything, he is back to his almost newborn routine of a couple of hours max.

I think it is his crazy digestion kick starting as when he farts, it sounds quite trapped wind like, iykwim, and his poos are obviously changing which could be causing him a little grief? He is still bf a fair bit so am not concerned he isn't getting enough fluid but could he be constipated (his evacuations aren't remotely solid though, sorry possibly tmi!) - he is only on veg and fruit at the mo.

I wondered if anyone else had this and if so, whether you could recommend a gentle way to ease this a little until his system catches up and he is not so unsettled? Or does this sound like something else and I should maybe get him checked?

when i started weaning my son the poos changing did cause him some a little grief - he did seem to be a bit dramatic in his facial expressions though when poos just went from liquid (ebf) to slightly formed!!

i found i had to start with potato, squash, banana etc at the start due to fruit (apple, pear) seemed to be causing too much wind/looser stools but after couple weeks fruit was ok.

My DD is 8mo now (and was ebf) but at 6mo when she started waking more in the night. Same with most of my friends. Assume it's linked with the weaning.

A lot of fruit & veg is bound to cause wind. You'll soon introduce things like yoghurt, cereals (weetabix, porridge etc) and 'bulky foods like mashed potato and flaked fish so you might find this helps, watch out for things like cauliflower, broccoli, onions, leeks etc as they'll be big 'wind generators'!!

Like PP my LO had a traumatic week of pooing when she was weaned. It broke my heart, poor thing. She's taking a lot more water now and she's been tip top for the last month. Eating anything and everything now

OP - try one of the superdrug own bottles that have a built in straw. DD didn't take much water from her doidy cup or TT sippy cup. My HV recommended superdrug's own. As it's got a straw it's better suited for bf babies as it's most similar to breast and they are used to 'working' to get their fluids rather than it free flowing from a bottle. My DD drinks lots during the day and as it's non spill it just sits on the floor next to where she's playing and she helps herself!

Thanks for all your replies...

Glad to hear it does just sound like he needs a bit of time to adjust to the food rather than anything more serious (or unheard of!). I guess I just need to give him a little time to catch up.

Soontobe - good advice about the veg over fruit to start as he's only really had banana and apple but we've started to introduce his second meal this week (I return to work in three weeks so would like him comfortable with his meals by then??). I will consider avoiding a couple of the ones Buttonboo mentions though.

Also - do you think I need to introduce more fluids then - as you recommend the cup? I thought breastmilk would be ok for the moment as it obviously starts out as a drink but perhaps I should consider this...

My DD was never this much hassle

If your bf before/after a feed (or within half hour/hour) then dc should be getting plenty if fluid. I am going back to work soon so wanted to start dropping the day time feeds. I bf first thing in the morning (5:30) and an hour later DD (8mo) has half a weetabix with half a carton of formula. Then mid morning (10:30) she'll have half a banana or a little yoghurt with the rest of the formula carton (she doesn't usually drink it all though). Lunch at 12:30 with water. Bf at 3:30. Dinner at 6:00. Bath at 7:00. Bf and bed at 7:30. I dream feed at 10:30. She doesn't need feeding at night now and sleeps (usually) through til 5:30.

Just be aware banana's (as much as the babies live them) can give constipation. Are you doing BLW? Dd eats nearly all her fruit & veg as finger food. Try alternating days with avocado sticks or sweet potato wedges cooked in the oven. When peaches etc come into season they'll be good too, cooked pear is great for moving stubborn bowels. You could also try butternut squash (as sticks or purée). DD loves watermelon sticks (watch out for seeds and juice can stain).

My whole life revolves around feeding...bf, making food, serving food, clearing up after food, buying food, thinking about next meal etc etc. Ha!!!

What food are you feeding? I've got two refluxy windy children and found weaning made things worse. Having learnt my lesson with DS, with DD I'm very careful in what I give. She has had mainly chicken and easy veg like parsnip and potatoes and carbs like rice and gluten free pasta. No acidic fruits (citrus and tomatoes), wind inducing veg or anything to fancy (so none of our cooked meals). She's taken to solids really quickly and we've had minimal problems with wind. I also let her feed herself and very small amounts (1-2 sittings a day max).

Interestingly i've given him mainly the food you mention, buttonboo - unintentionally i might add.

He did have an ENORMOUS poo today and has had a couple since so not sure if perhaps he was a bit stuck and has got himself moving again.. He seems a bit more comfortable?

Haven't really introduced carbs yet as thought they might exacerbate the problem but may try that following your advice, iggly. He has finger food but is fed by me/dh as when i rtw i need to know he us getting a decent amount between early am and mid pm bf's...

Thanks again