Infant Constipation

  • Wednesday, April 11, 2012 10:27 AM
    Message # 886894
    I have a 5 months old who started rice and oat cereals about 3 weeks ago. Since then, her bowels has slowed down significantly. Previously she was going daily, then every other day. Last week, she went 3 days without going. As of today, she's on her 4th day without a bowel, she hasn't shown any signs of being uncomfortable...but I'm still worried that she might be too constipated...

    What types of aids have the moms out there used that's been helpful? Does prune juice work?
    Last modified: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 10:40 AM | Sandy
  • Wednesday, April 11, 2012 8:27 PM
    Reply # 887297 on 886894
    I found pureed prune baby food worked.   Try a few spoonfuls at first as every baby is different I think - I remember giving a lot and then my little one was pooping like crazy!    Good luck!
  • Sunday, April 15, 2012 2:34 PM
    Reply # 890165 on 886894
    Thanks so much for the response.

    Just an update, after speaking with a few different moms, I realize I really shouldn't doubt my own instincts (although who am I to argue with a pediatrician right?) I know the standard is to feed rice cereal as a first food, but a part of me have always thought "Does it have to be? Can't I start with something a little different, like just go straight with veggies and fruits?" I took K off of grains and we jumped right into avocados, and she's doing fine now, regular, everyday!
    Last modified: Sunday, April 15, 2012 2:37 PM | Sandy
  • Monday, April 16, 2012 2:16 PM
    Reply # 890954 on 886894
    My little guy found the taste of prune juice a bit strong, so I mixed it with some breast milk.  For him, 5 mL of prune juice and 5 mL of breast milk once a day for a couple days got his bowels going again.
  • Monday, April 16, 2012 9:58 PM
    Reply # 891209 on 886894
    I feed my little guy pureed prunes as well.  It's the only food so far he's made the "yuck face" on the first taste and actually cried for a moment too (we've introduced about 8 different foods so far).  Second taste went more smoothly and now he enjoys eating them. 
    We still feed him cereal (either rice or oat) every morning and have found we need to keep giving him a tablespoon of prunes daily.
  • Tuesday, April 17, 2012 11:47 AM
    Reply # 891635 on 886894
    Hi Ladies - also a more natural laxative that you can use, is by mixing pure corn starch (just what you find in the cooking section at the store)into their food or drink..... only a small amount... that should help too (if the prune juice doesnt).  good luck
  • Friday, April 20, 2012 2:10 PM
    Reply # 895502 on 886894
    Those cereals are hard on baby's underdeveloped digestive systems! I know in Italy they do NOT start with rice cereal...I tried to give my son rice cereal for about a week then just switched to pureed veggies and fruits. He had less "issues" digesting those (even certain ones that aren't recommend until later, such as lentils, citrus fruits, etc) than with the rice cereal!!!

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