Introduction of Solids

Hey there,
Rice cereal is binding, I would switch him to Oatmeal. I gave my son cereal in his bottle since 2 mos old. He's a big boy as well. He never had a problem pooping, in fact, he's VERY regular! At 4 mos, he's ready for cereal, it's definately not too soon. Good luck to you. Kim

My ped told me that the ABCs (applesauce, bananas and carrots)and rice will thicken the poop, while beans, sweet potatos, squash and oatmeal will thin it out.
Wait a few days after the cereal to introduce a new food to be sure about allergies, then try one of the other veggies.
Better to use food to change the BM than to use karo or laxatives...

Dear S.,
As a mother who breastfed and a pediatric nurse, I understand your concerns. Many of the other suggestions are pretty on target. It can often take up to 2wks for a baby to adjust to changes in diet. His body is not used to passing more formed stools, so he is likely to be fussier w/ a bowel movement, however this should improve as his body adjusts. Rice cereals (flavored or not) are often the first solids recommended because they are easier to digest. The important thing to remember when introducing new foods is to introduce them slowly...example 1 new food per week...to see how his body will adjust and ensure that he is not allergic to the new food. Remember that foods that create excess gas and risk of constipation in adults will do the same for children. Most pediatricians recommend starting solids, between 4 and 6 months, it is possible that he may just not be quite ready. Don't give up! And one more thing...when you start feeding thickened milk through a bottle, it is often harder to transition them to a spoon. Using the spoon and allowing the baby to use his tongue to try and spit it out may be messy, but it is also an important step in language development by strengthening the tongue muscles to form words and sounds easier. That's all from the nurse's perspective. As a mom, my child seemed to always be hungry and gained weight like crazy. I felt like I was nursing every hour, even at close to 6 months! When I did introduce solid foods, he went through the same difficult transition, but it just takes time and patience. If the problem persists, consult your pediatrician. Don't rush to stool softeners or laxatives too quickly, young babies can develop a dependence to them very quickly. His stools will be more formed and often occur less frequently. If they are hard and dry or he goes more than 3 days without having a bowel movement, take him to be evaluated. Hope some of this info. helps!! Good luck!

S.,I think the other responses were right, he is adjusting. My Doctor didnt want me to give cereal in the bottle for the same reason the other person said.. it should be fed through a spoon to introduce them to solids and transition them over.
But, as his mother, you know best what is right for him. Maybe keep trying toe cereal for another week and just watch him for his reaction to before you decide to stop it entirely.

I have a big boy too. We are at 7mths and 23lbs - don't remember what we were at at 4mths though.

It sounds like your little one is thriving well on breast milk, so it certainly wouldn't hurt for you to wait if you think that it isn't agreeing well with him. We waited until 6mths per the advice of the American Pediatric Association. Remember that even though he is getting cereal, that 90%-95% of his caloric intake should be breastmilk or formula until he is around 10 mths - everything up until then is really just practice.

Also, my doctor advised against feeding cereal in a bottle. I know that many people do, but one of the main points of introducing the cereal is to get them use to eating from a spoon.

Our son definitely went through a BM transition when we started solids, but he did not get constipated so I am not sure if this is a sign of him not being ready or not. Hmmmm, we didn't do this until our son had been on cereal for a couple of weeks, but, to help constipation you can add a little bit of pear juice to the mix.

Hope that helps! Good luck!

I agree with the other mom that he's likely just adjusting. I wouldn't start treating for constipation right away though, give him some time to adjust. Very early in my sons life we were sent to a pediatric GI doctor - so I would just give it a chance for a few days - his poop schedule will be different with solids regardless. Just like you and I! If his poops are hard and dry and it seems painful to pass - then I would move forward with some other treatment! Otherwise, his little tummy just has to adjust - it's normal from what I understand.

Are you using plain rice cereal or fruit? I wouldn't suggest using fruit flavored (banana's bind the stool)until he's eating it from a spoon. Also, a nice alternative to karo syrup is adding one baby spoonful of baby stage 1 applesauce in the bottle w/ the rice cereal. This is a suggestion our ped. GI doctor gave us!

Good luck!

It may be the cereal you are feeding him. I would give him whole grain, fiber laden cereal, and nothing with preservatives, or additives in it. It sounds like it is just clogging him up, my daughter never was able to do cereal so we just did fruits and veggies when she was around 6 months, so you don't have to do the cereal, but you may want to try a different brand. Also look for one without added iron, that can really plug you up.

Hi S.,

Don't panic, his problem is that he is getting constipated. Use Karo syrup or any laxative the will assist him to go without any problem. Since your son has not had any solids his system is just adjusting. Ask the pharmacist what they recommend. Keep giving him cereal he'll be ok. Also start giving him baby food. This too will help, introduce him to fruits and vegetables. If you don't want to use the bottled kind you can make your own. Good Luck and Happy Holidays.