9 month old seems to be constipated

[Fibilou]

Usually K has a poo every day. She didn't have one yesterday and has been very distressed, crying constantly and not wanting to be put down which is highly unusual for her as she is usually very sunny and rarely cries. She is straining but with no result and also has a lot of reddening around her anus. She also has a cold and is completely exhausted, sleeping all the time.
I have given her a warm bath, tried cycling her legs and managed to get lots of water and breastmilk into her. She has been eating well but I have stopped giving her solids now hoping that just breastmilk might help. She has only ever had BM or the occasional bit of cows milk from 6 months.
Is there anything else I can do to help her ?

get some lactulose from the doctor - my son suffered with this - although one day is not too bad. he went 10 days at one point! poor thing!

oh and apple juice is good

should I dilute it ? and how much should I try and get her to take ? And how soon should I expect a result ?

Have you got any pears at home? I found when DDs got bunged up giving a little (1-2oz) pear juice worked. Peel and chop pears, cook gently till soft, empty pears into sieve over jug and lightly squidge pears with spoon to release juice, cool and feed to baby in cup (should be quite 'bitty' so wouldn't go through bottle/beaker spout). Repeat a few times a day until pooing starts again. You can keep the drained pear puree to add to porridge etc.

Hope that helps and you get some results soon.

yes, i have pears. thankyou

You know you're a mum when you are eagerly awaiting a baby to poo!

Cow's milk is constipating and shouldn't be used as a drink until 12 mo (although this mostly due to replacing nutrients and inhibiting iron absorption)

Other constipating foods include apple and banana.

We struggle with constipation on and off and to combat it need to give soft fruit with every meal - prunes, berries, soft pears etc.