Can I give cool boiled water to 5 month old?

[SassyPants87]

Hi 5 month old hasn't been for a poo in 6 days, very unlike her! She's not taking as much milk now because of it, farts are really smelly and is in discomfort when I massage her belly

Can I give her cool boiled water to help? I've heard mixed things about giving water to a baby before 6 months

Thanks

I gave my dd some water at that age for the same reason. She wouldn't drink from a bottle or cup and I can't remember whether I gave her a teaspoonful or whether it was a calpol dispenser thing... It was one of those, so just a very tiny amount. She did poo soon afterwards but I'm not sure whether that was a coincidence.

I think it's perfectly fine to give your baby cooled boiled water anyway. Especially as she sounds uncomfortable. Infacol might help with the wind too. If she still hasn't been today after you try water, I think you might need to call your gp or health visitor for advice as it's been nearly a week and sounds like she could be in discomfort.

It probably won't do her any harm so it is worth a try, I'm not sure whether it will help or not though.

You shouldn't give it regularly as it might displace milk but a bit to help ease constipation should be fine.

My health visitor used to advise a teaspoon of orange juice as well.

Should be fine, I used to give it to DD at that age to help her go. A bit of prune juice or orange juice could also help. Only an ounce though.

If she’s FF you could try a comfort formula my DD is on Cow & Gate comfort and gets on well with it.

NOT MEDICALLY QUALIFIED but lie her on her back. Gently massage her tummy clockwise. Hold her legs, bent at the knees, and gently push her knees up over her tummy. Rotate in a circle and side to side. This MIGHT help get her digestive system moving but follow pp advise and take her to GP if she's still not doing a poo.

Thanks everyone I will give her a little water today. She's predominantly BF but only has one bottle of formula at night time. I know BF babies can go long periods of time but she normally goes at least every 3 days so this is out of the norm for her

Thanks @JamMakingWannaBe I've been massaging her tummy and doing bicycle legs too but will give your method a go too

@SassyPants87

Hi 5 month old hasn't been for a poo in 6 days, very unlike her! She's not taking as much milk now because of it, farts are really smelly and is in discomfort when I massage her belly

Can I give her cool boiled water to help? I've heard mixed things about giving water to a baby before 6 months

Thanks

I think they only say to be cautious with giving water regularly under 6 months because it can fill up their tiny tummies and wont have space for milk which is main source of nutrients. So I think in your case it would be totally harmless and reasonable. Although I remember my HV saying they only really worry if baby hasn't pooped for over two weeks but if you can see she is in discomfort, it's natural you'd want to help her. I second the PP re: putting her on her back and rotating legs. That's what I didn't with DS. Poor mite, must be so uncomfortable.

More bm will be better than water because it’s a natural laxative. I would look up baby massage on YouTube and put her in her nicest outfit and then take her out in the care seat, guaranteed poonami.

Health visitor told us to occasionally give our little boy 1oz of cooled boiled water for constipation from about 12weeks...he’s 5 months now and actually gave him an oz yesterday for constipation. In my experience it takes about a day for a normal poo to follow water