7 mo doing really hard poos - anything I can do to help?

[flootshoot]

DD is 7 1/2 months, is established on 3 meals and 3 bottles (formula) a day. She was fine until Tues when she tried to poo, started crying and then passed a really big hard poop - I had to hold her legs up etc. to help her.

Nothing yesterday, then a bit of leakage this morning so I thought she might be constipated - I gave her a little OJ and did some tummy massage, she then started to strain so I took nappy off, held her legs up and she did another really hard poo and screamed the whole time

She currently eats a mixture of pretty much everything (protein, fruit, veg, root veg, bready things etc.)and has done since we started to wean ( she was weaned at 6 months so went straight onto finger foods, with the occasional puree).

The only thing I can think of that's changed is that I've been using 'hungry baby' milk this week as the shop had run out of the usual stuff - could that be it? Or any other ideas?

TIA

hungry milk is harder to digest and can cause constipation. Are you offering water with meals? I'd see if you can get hold of the first milk again and see if that helps

I'd offer water all through the day, instead of just at mealtimes.

A bit of prune juice can also work wonders!

my own DD used to get constipated if drinking too much milk, so yes its possible the new formula is different enough to cause it.

My DD is older now & is lactose intolerant amongst other things, so might be something to keep an eye out for in future with your own DD

My DD is more prone to diareah now & during bout of this I have to bulk up her diet with more white bread, rice, etc etc & cut out fruit & veg & roughage foods - so from that I would suggest doing the opposite & cutting out bread etc & upping fruits etc - DDs hospital dietician told us that Apple Juice is actually the worst for diareah, & OJ is okay, so maybe giving her lots of Apply Juice to drink too might help

good luck

I find satsumas help a lot with constipation.

My little DS has always suffered on/off like this...the HV doesn't agree but I put a tiny amount of brown sugar in a bottle of cooled down boiled water...it works every time & the pain/discomfort is relieved & the stools are easily passed & softer. An old wives tale but truly works for us.