constipation with weaning

[dcb]

really bad at the mo. she cries and is now on lactulose. taking it slowly due to an allergic colitis so just had baby rice for 10 days then banana. she didn't like the other fruit and veg to start with so kept going back to banana. 1 day she had a whole one - half breakfast, half at lunch. is this why she's so constipated or does it happen anyway when they're weaned? any tips to help it. she likes pear so am giving this instead of banana now and will try other sweeter veg in next few days. all the books say start with 1-2 tsp of foods - but she shovels it down so have been giving much more. is it too much too soon?

I would try to take it slower, yeah, if she's suffering with constipation. It's a really common problem when they're first weaned.

Banana can also be constipating, pear is better.

Is she taking water?

And how is your boob?

much much better - thanks for the speedy advice. never been so glad that she is a frequent feeder. have tried water from a bottle and cup - no good. she looks at me as if to say "you must be joking"

Is an open cup an option?

How are you getting lactulose into her, then? Is it just fibre, or is in a water suspension?

Could you try giving her pears cooked in water, or some other way to get water into her?

The thing that causes weaning constipation, I think, is a) the shock of changing what they're taking and b) increase in fibre without an increase in fluid intake.

she happily takes the lactulose (liquid) off the spoon and even licks it! i will try an open cup because i definitely need to get more fluid in - that's how the lactulose works-it stays in the bowel and draws fluid in to make it softer. thanks nqc - will try.

Rice cereal and bananas are known to cause constipation. You need the 5 Ps (I can only even remember 4 of the though)

Pears
Prunes (or prune juice)
Peaches
Plums
and ?

Any of those will help, just don't give too much of the prunes - the effect can be quite spectacular (& messy )