constipated 5 month old

[putthekettleon]

I started weaning my 5 month old DD2 a week ago. She has taken to it well and didn't seem to have any problems - still on one meal a day at the moment. But this morning while I was changing her nappy she started doing a poo and was crying - it was pretty solid and clearly very uncomfortable for her.

All she had yesterday was carrot mixed with baby rice. I'm wondering if the problem was the baby rice? Though she has had it before.

I've not been giving her any water, could that be the problem? She's breastfed so I didn't think she needed water yet.

Any ideas? Or is it just one of those things? Don't remember DD1 ever being constipated!

i would give more water after her meal. you may also reduce the rice content.

Water is the best cure for constipation, my daughter will not take much (reflux) but it does help. Speaking to friends they have all had a bit of constipation as their LO's started solids.
My next line of defence is Lactulose. you can buy it over the counter. They said you can't do any harm with it appart from giving them loose poo's (which you don't want to do for more than one poo obviously) but it does get things moving if they are having real discomfort.