My babies weaning bottom

[lizzywig]

DD is 28wo and we started weaning her at 23wo, we gave her a spoon of baby rice a day and increased it by one spoon every few days. At almost 26wo we moved onto veg purees and then fruit giving 3 spoons at one meal and then after a few days 4 spoons. After two weeks of one meal a day we moved to 2 meals a day with 4 spoons each and then gradually moving up to 5. Last week we moved up to 3 meals a day with breakfast and lunch being between 2-5 spoons and dinner 5-10 spoons. She has taken to it all really well.

Then she started to get a bit constipated so I gave her some prunes in her porridge, prune juice in her water and tried to give her more brocoli, peas etc to try to losen things up - and extra drinks of water. It seemed to work and everything was much better, so I gave her some banana and some apple (which she'd had previously and loved and had no troubles with) and the following day she was clogged back up again. However it was to such an extent that she was in obviously pain when trying to poo, screaming, red in face, crying, gasping for breath, straining soooo much and ending up by resting her head on my shoulder gasping for air. She also cut down what she was eating (milk) from 1035ml to about 600ml - that could be to do with the weather though. Doctor has given her lactulose which is a laxative that can be used for babies (also adults) and said we should give 1/2 spoons twice a day. We have done that for 2 days now and also religiously given her high fibre foods. It's obviously working now as she woke up at 5am and gave us 2 massive (soft) poos and another smaller one this morning (apologies to anyone eating their breakfast!).

I'm just wondering where to go from here really. Doctor didn't say how long she should take it for but I presume once she's ok she doesn't need it. I'm inclined to forget the medicine and just stick to the high fibre foods but wonder if they weren't working before then it could be the medicine making the difference now. Any thoughts? She's now on 3 meals a day, with 5 bottles of 7oz which she seems to be cutting back on. Her meals are usually around 5-10 spoons each.

You need to keep up the Lactulose. Your DD's bowel will have become stretched out of shape when she was constipated, so you need to keep.up.the Lactulose while her bowel regains muscle tone. DS was severely constipated at Christmas (he was just 3) and HV advised taking Lactulose for 6 weeks
It was actually about 9 weeks before he
was ok without it.

I was also advised that apples do not help cure constipation and can make it worse - pears much better.

Thanks ok so in that case I'll probably keep up the medicine but lessen the amount of high fibre foods.

I didn't mean that apple cured constipation, I meant I gave it to her thinking she was through it, clearly not and I felt very bad. I actually outright asked the doctor about apple and he said it was fine. I said I found lots of contradictory information online and he said he'd never heard of a problem with apple. I spoke to a friend about this who told me to google BRAT foods which I did. Amazed that doctor gave such bad advice!!

I also find that bananas make my dd terribly constipated. I can foresee it if she has some! Gutted cos It's great if ur out and about xxx

Yes I also think bananas make my DD constipated. Poor little lambs it's not much fun is it.

Hi lizzywig, my lo had a similar problem but I am trying to avoid having to give him lactulose. Apparently the following things can cause constipation - bananas, rice and apples. Apparently apple juice is fine but apples can cause constipation - something to do with the pectin levels. I think also the type of fibre you give can have an effect - rice is apparently quite binding but oats are classed as "stool softening". My mum reckons eggs and cheese should only be given in moderation too but lo isn't really eating these yet so I can't tell. I am amazed at how much I have learned about poo since having a baby! :-)

I know! My friend came over earlier for a cup of tea and we were merrily discussing poo - what has happened to me lol?!! I found out the same about bananas etc, they're called BRAT foods - Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. They're good if your child has dioreah so best to avoid when constipated. I had been avoiding them but gave her some banana for breakfast a few days ago and apple for lunch 'thinking' she was better - she was not :-(. BTW carrots are also a no no apparently.

I have been giving her prunes, prune juice, apricots, brocoli, peas, avacado, spinach, porridge, strawberrys and pears like they're going out of fashion but they've had no impact. Today is day 3 of the medicine and we've had 3 poos with no pain!! She's obviously starting to clear her system. I just wasn't sure how to continue as I don't want to give her medicine and overload her with fibre and then end up with the opposite problem!!

yes just saw that you already knew about bananas and rice etc - I can't read some days! I had heard of that BRAT thing but didn't know what the T stood for :-) 3 poos in 3 days! Awesome! I'd be singing the Victory Poo Song (yes I made one up in case it helped!). Did the doc give you any idea on how long your lo will need to take the lactulose?

No that's my problem, not got a clue. I've just called my local surgery and asked for a doctor to call to advise so will see what they say. I don't want to give it to her without good cause. BTW the 3 poos were all today!!!!

Outstanding! DS just managed one too so hurrahs all round :-) If your doc is no help I guess you could always ask pharmacist. I often find that the pharmacist in my local boots is more help than my gp for practically everything.