DS constipated - please help :(

[newmum234]

Since starting solids DS (8 months) has had more issues with constipation than previously. When I say constipation - he won’t go for four days and will then do a “normal” looking poo (it’s not hard pellets or anything). But during those four days he will often be grumpy and making straining noises.

His last bowel movement was on Monday morning - it’s now Friday and he has yet to go I tried puréed pear yesterday and a prune pouch this morning. I also gave him a tummy massage and did bicycle legs but still nothing.

I heard water helps but he hates it - he’ll only drink 1oz per mealtime at most.

What should I do?!!

Have you tried putting a tiny amount of juice in his water just to make it more tasty for him?
If he likes that then let him get as much down him as he wants.
Mushed up veggies as well perhaps? If you think of a vegetable that makes you poop then go with that, but pretty much any of them should do the trick.
My nephew suffered with not pooping regularly and they ended up putting him on baby movicol to get him to go as he was in a lot of discomfort and he got to the point that when he did go it hurt so much he used to pass out! 😫
If you get super concerned have a chat with your HV or GP ❤️

Ella prune pouches. Tinned peaches

If it’s an on going issue then you need to see the GP as the bowel gets stretched which makes the issue worse and you end up in a cycle of constipation which can get worse.

Are you giving him too much solid food? Milk should be their main food up to 12 months. It is really important to get enough fluid.

A bit of orange juice always works for my DD; try only a little bit at first (maybe 30ml) and give more if it doesn’t work.

What food exactly are you feeding him? Research high fibre foods and try him on some.

The water thing is difficult - you could try using a syringe to squirt some in his mouth regularly. Make a game out of it!

Also! Gently massaging his lower abdomen and doing the bicycle movements can help get things moving. A nice warm bath will also make him feel a bit more comfortable too

He’s having around 900ml of formula milk a day in addition to two meals. He has fruit, veg, porridge, weetabix, toast with peanut butter... all the usual.

Ella prune pouches. Tinned peaches

He had an Ella prune pouch this morning and still nothing! We haven’t tried tinned peaches yet though...

How often should he be going? He has done four days before but if he doesn’t go today that’ll be five days - which he’s never done before

Could it be worth laying off the solids and just giving him milk for a few days? Or is that a bad idea?

Warm bath.
Kiwifruit.
But if it's a regular thing you need to consult GP

My DD (9 Months) had the exact same issue! When she started weaning she didn't poo for 2 weeks! Then after that it was every 10 days! She was in pain and the GP kept of saying it was normal and that we should give her laxatives!!

After 2 months of Laxatives not working I asked the GP to see her and he refused and said it's normal for babies to be constipated! He said if I wanted her checked over I had to take her to A&E!! We did becuase I couldn't see her in anymore pain!

The Dr Prescribed some stool softener which helped massively and we tried to give her as much fluids (water, milk , purée etc) as possible! After a day the medicine kicked in and now she goes every day with no pain!

Well what do you know...he’s finally just gone! It must be that Ella’s prune pouch he had this morning Could it be worth giving him prunes on a daily basis to keep things moving do you think?

I will speak to the doctor as well just to get their opinion on whether they should prescribe him a stool softener as @NewBabyGirlMummy said.

So relieved!

@newmum234 fennel tea, grapes, blueberries, cherry tomatoes, yoghurt...they all help. I sometimes wish my LO did not have 4 dirty nappies a day tbh :P

I give my little one prunes or stewed pears with yoghurt most days to keep her regular. What actually works best is having a day off solids, it seems to get things going again! She's not yet dropped a feed though, once she's dropped a feed skipping food won't really be an option.

Maybe worth avoiding the oats or weetabix for a few days to see if they might be the culprit?