Baby crying while pooing

[Frank77]

Hi, hoping someone can advise on this.

I have a 7mo DS who seems to be struggling to poo.

He’s breastfed and I’ve started weaning with things like porridge and fruit and veg (mainly purées). He’s definitely eating some of it. He has water to drink with his solids.

For the last 2 months he’s been pooing once or twice per week and often only in the car (I think the vibrations help). He strains to go and today went at home after 4 days and was really crying while it was happening. The poo when it comes is thickish but soft. Like grown up poo (sorry for the visual).

I spoke to the health visitor who doesn’t think it’s constipation, as the bowel movements are soft. She thinks it’s normal but he’s clearly struggling. He’s fine in himself in all other ways.

I’m a FTM and not sure how to tackle this, any diet tips or should I ignore the HV and take to the gp?

Thanks in advance x

Hi OP. I had exactly the same problem with my boy around this age. Not long after weaning. It is because their gut is not used to all the new food and it takes time to get used to it. I'm afraid my son's went on and off for a good few months while his gut matured and got used to the food. Things I found helped were foods beginning with "P" - prunes, peaches, pears etc. As they are all good sources of fibre. Also tummy massages in warm baths to help stimulate him to go. But it wasn't nice and he got nappy rash badly too so keep on top of the nappy cream. Hopefully it doesn't last long but do be assured it is normal x

Thank you Rosebud, it does help to know it’s probably natural and all part of the process.

My LO experienced this too when they first started solids. It took a good few months to settle down. We were given Lactulose and Movicol to help in the meantime, which made them less upset when it came time to go. It is distressing to watch though.

I'd recommend P foods like the PP said - prunes, pears, peaches. Grapes actually worked wonders too (a little too well!). I make a mix of pears, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries (frozen forest fruits), boiled to mush with a little water, then blitzed to a puree in a blender. My LO really likes the taste but it helps her go too.