Lactulose, Movicol, or glycerine suppositories for constipated 7 mo?

[Help2025]

We started weaning four or so weeks ago and almost immediately, DS became very constipated. Eventually he passed a couple of plasticine-like poos.

Long story short, DS has not had any ‘food’ for about a fortnight now because he is still so very constipated. All he has had is BM and prune pouches (and water).

He is only pooing every 3-6 days and that only happens following a prune pouch and a drive in the car seat. More recent poos are pasty, a bit wet.

Last night was the worst. He is crying and squealing in pain every hour. I’m starting to think that while he has been doing some poos, he is blocked up by a piece of ‘plasticine’ poo, which isn’t shifting.

Currently, he hasn’t pooed since Thursday. We have tried:

cooled boiled water
orange juice
nappy free time
massage - plenty
bicycle kicks - plenty
prunes
stimulating the bottom gently
a drive

Nothing has worked. Health visitor says we should keep feeding him solids - but he is blocked up, why should we make it worse!

None of us has got any sleep. Where do we go from here and what do I need to ask for?

Yes, that is watery poo if fully absorbed (no solid or semi solid matter).

Along with solid food, he needs to be drinking lots of water. Fibre intake demands lots of water to keep things moving through the gut. Offer water when you're out and about, in the car, and with his meals. He could have water last thing at night too (this would be a good way of transitioning to dropping the last breastfeeding at bestime and would be a good habit for the health of his teeth).

He could use a sippy cup for water, which again moves him in the direction you're ultimately aiming for - weaned at some point.

Totally understand! If it’s any reassurance my DC2 has only needed the occasional help and we ended up throwing a big box away.

I will say, from personal experience I know non-IGE type allergies (the non instant ones) can present like severe colicky pain and constipation so in your shoes I might try a few weeks after he gets right before introducing dairy wheat and eggs, and do them separately.

It can be such a hard thing. Both of my children found weaning really hard on their systems, I was so jealous of those parents who just relaxed into feeding.

Just to say (re a pp) that there’s no evidence that breastfeeding has any negative impact on teeth.

I want to cry. We didn’t give any Movicol yesterday as we had achieved the two wet nappies. DS started crying with pain when trying to fart overnight, and for the past couple of hours has been inconsolable. The squeals are awful to hear. Obviously we have given the Movicol again today, tummy massage, everything. Not worked.

We spent time this afternoon with a friend whose baby is the same age and she is merrily chowing down on everything in sight. Whereas DS in his life has had a few peas, bit of carrot, cauliflower and broccoli, some prunes, and is somehow in this devastating pain. I don’t understand why his bowels don’t work. The health visitors never mentioned this at the weaning session. No one ever mentions this. I tried to gain support through a Facebook group but people only seem to post about toddlers. I’ve never read about this happening in a baby so young. Why us?? What is wrong with him?

I don’t think it can be an allergy as he hasn’t had the chance to have any allergens! No dairy, no meat or fish etc. No nuts. He never got the chance.

Comparison is the thief of joy. Especially where child development and behaviour is concerned - so stop that now. It does no one any good, apart from when it’s size related for handing down clothes.

Cause of stomach issues wise, it could just be that needs more time. It could be slight dehydration in the heat. It could be that stomach has been irritated by something.
Legumes are a relatively common cause of issues (so peas). Dairy is common (including via breast milk).

Take things one step at a time. Get in touch with your health visitor for support.

It will get easier, I promise. Look at what is easiest to digest rather than worrying about what the optimal foods are for nutrition (your child is getting everything they need from BF) and get some advice from the health visitor.

I get how upset you are, look after yourself. Both my DC had difficult weaning journeys, only one turned out to have longer term issues and they were unusual.

Take care of yourself. Weaning is a bit of a challenge for a lot of people and you have the whole of the rest of your life to enjoy food with your children, I promise.