Weaning and night discomfort

[onetrickrockingpony]

Hiya

I’ve started weaning my 6mo. Gently and exploratory: banana, yoghurt, pear, sweet potato, avocado, broccoli etc. She’s only taking little amounts, although of course enjoys the sweet potato and banana more and so takes a little more of those.

The problem is that any day she tries a solid she has a completely restless night with straining, gas, and is generally really unsettled.

I don’t know whether it would be better to give her solids every day so her digestive system adjusts, or to back off and go gently. Whenever I go back to just milk she immediately readjusts and has much better sleep.

This has been going on three weeks now…. I gave her a break this past week and caught up on sleep but gave her some lunch yesterday and was up every hour with her crying last night, and then this morning 9am a poo explosion.

Any tips from any mums who have experienced similar? I’m not sure what to do!

Banana blocks my LO up (as a baby and now as a toddler). I also found that what wasn't explained to me well during weaning was that you need to offer water as well as solids, even if they are purees. You might have to try several cups/bottles for this. Weaning constipation was a problem for my baby, the GP said we could give lactulose to soften things so baby wasn't straining (although I'm not sure that's your baby's problem!). Like you, I found that backing off solids and breastfeeding more helped temporarily but babies do need their solids after six months. It's worth persevering and recognising that it's a big adjustment for the digestive system but one that has to happen.

Try pear and kiwi because they help you go. Maybe also only give her breakfast and lunch so it's got time to go down. She might need some water to accompany her meal, especially if you bottle feed.

Thank you @OtterMummy2024 that’s interesting about banana… I’ll back off that one! And I’ll try water as well.

thank you @Paaseitjes yes good idea to focus on food in the first half of the day. She had some pear today so fingers crossed.