My son is 4 1/2 months old and started rice cereal and oatmeal cereal about 3 weeks ago. Even before I started him on solids he had a constipation issue. My Dr. told me to give him apple prune juice 1 oz once a day and that should help. It did help a little bit (they were then peanut butter like) but then I started him on solids and my poor boy just screams and cries every time he poops and his stools are rock hard! I feel so bad for him. Should I try giving him 1 oz of juice twice a day or do you think there is something else wrong with him??? Please help me I am getting so frustrated. Thanks
Try to give him kiwi and probiotic. Actually, why did you start to give him solid food so early? It should be started at least at six month old.
Honestly, stop giving him the cereal for a while. I dont give it to them until at least 6 months old, and we skip the cereals..they are binding for sure. I have good sized kids too, but formula has always been enough for them. Even Dr. Sears recommends waiting until 6 months for their digestive systems to mature. I dont think I would give them the cereal, which meant that I then had to give juice...sorry, but it just does not make sense to me. Given the fact that you already had problems, have you tried removing dairy, maybe switching to soy?? Check back with the pedi, and if you dont think you are getting the help that you need, go seek a second opinion. You arent changing dr.s, just getting opinions. Good luck, I hope things get better soon! ~A.~
Be sure he's getting plenty of liquids. Personally, I would up the amount of juice. Try the 1 oz twice a day for a few days; if that doesn't do it try three times a day. JMO.
And I would give him a good quality probiotic and essential fatty acids. These can be added to his bottle or the cereal. Youngevity's Projoba Probacillus and Projoba Omega are great choices.
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Shortly after my husband and I started our daughter on solids (5 months), she started having these awful rock hard poops. We weren't sure what was going on until we googled 'constipating foods'. We were giving her rice cereal, carrots, and bananas - which are all constipating foods. So, my advice is to closely watch what you feed your son. Perhaps you're inadvertently doing the same thing?
Also, make sure he's getting enough liquids, milk should still be his primary source of nutrition. Eating is just for practice at this point. You can give him a bit of water after his meals to help keep him hydrated. If all else fails, you might back off for a few weeks and let his digestive system mature a little more.
On a side note, I highly recommend a book called Super Baby Food. We love it!
Hi J., try MiraLAX. It is the way to go and you can now buy over the counter.
My daughter went through the same thing when she was a baby and it was so painful for her until our doctor told us about MiraLAX. We used it for a couple years and her body let us know when she didn't need it any longer. It is a type of stool softener that will naturally draw water to his stool. Don't let this get any worse for him, I remember way too many nights that both of us cried!
Also avoid "rice" cereal and apple sauce - it only adds to the problem.
I would call the doctor to find out if there is something you should give him to help. Be sure to give him one food at a time for at least 4-5 days to make sure he doesn't have any negative reactions. You might want to try giving him some other foods. I know my daughter loved prunes and they always helped her go when she was constipated. However, it is normal for their stools to be more solid as they start solid food. I remember my daughter crying when she pooped, but it didn't last long.
Both of my little ones have had this problem too. I would call the doctor to check for his additional recommendations. But, what I have been doing is giving my daughter pears, pear juice and/or prunes each day to help her digestive system. Hope he is feeling better soon!!! God bless.
You're not alone. I think all parents deal with some sort of digestion issue when their children start solids. I would continue the juice and call the pedi first thing in the morning. They can give you better advice than anyone on what step to take next. Your baby is way too young to give any type of medication to without a doctor's approval, so just see what the pedi recommends. Good luck!
J.,
My son had the same problem. 2 oz. of water a day was the only thing that helped him. Our bodies are 90% water. Are you breastfeeding or bottle? Either way the water will not hurt him. I tried all the ailmants. Your doctor may not say he needs water but we all do. Please try it. Make sure it is purified bottled water. This will help him digest his food and make his stools softer. Increase his water the older he gets.
Blessings,
E.
put a drop of dark kero syrup in every bottle you give him. this will help. i did this with both of my kids.
