Weaning and Constipation - any tips?

[BabyMagic]

Hiya

Have you got any tried and tested tips for relieving constipation?

LO started on solids about three weeks ago. She has been severely constipated. She only managed to move bowels every three day or so at the beginning, and every time she did so she was crying in pain. Her face was red and she got sweaty because of pushing so hard (poor baby ). Her poos are pretty much adult like but I believe this is normal.

At first we were BLW but after she was really bad with constipation I made very runny purees. Even though she was better for about a week, today she was in great pain again when passing bowels as she hadn't done so for three days.

I have offered her water throughout the day and ensured that I give her plenty of milk (she is being bf:ed) after each meal. I don't give her banana. I've also added raisins or apricots to her fruit purees. She is currently on two meals, and I am not going to increase to three until her constipation gets better.

I have heard that adding brown sugar or orange juice into her water may help. Has anyone tried these and found them useful?

Thank you in advance. I would really appreciate if you could help my little princess

 

[KERRYGOLD00]

Deleted

 

[BabyMagic]

Thanks Kerry. I think I'll try to give some orange juice to her tomorrow. For some reason I rather try that than giving her sugar.

It must have been awful to have constipation at four weeks

 

[Sherlock]

Kiwi fruit are very good for relieving constipation in adults but I'm not sure when babies can have them.

I gave our LO 1/2 a kiwi fruit today for the first time. I checked and its advised to not give until 6 months, due to tiny chance of allergy (if family history of food allergy). I've read of other Mums feeding it to their babies when younger though. Mashing it up if on pureed foods. Galen loved it.

 

[BabyMagic]

Thanks Sherlock.

I gave LO some kiwi fruit (cut into a thin slice) but she didn't seem to get much out of it (or maybe didn't like the taste). Maybe I'll try again.

 

[Sherlock]

Thanks Sherlock.

I gave LO some kiwi fruit (cut into a thin slice) but she didn't seem to get much out of it (or maybe didn't like the taste). Maybe I'll try again.

I'm sorry your LO is having problems. Atm Galen is still pooing quite soft but thick (lovely eh ) but does grunt and strain to do so. But he is able to go without it being painful.

I gave Galen slices of kiwi, about 1/2cm thick. He bit and chewed on it and loved it. I made sure it was ripe and softish before giving it to him. Will wait and see with interest how it comes out the other end

I've introduced water in a feeder cup as of today also. Its not like I expect him to drink loads now but thought if he had it from the early days of weaning and was able to hold the handles then why not let him sip at it. Should help soften things up you'd think

I'm not sure what else you can try for her consitpation tbh. A little bit of OJ might help. Raisins surely. They do for me thats for sure Maybe something like a bit of Weetabix for breakfast? I plan to start giving Galen that sort of cereal for breakfast once past 6 months. We don't eat any other cereal than that, porridge or Fruit n Fibre so he has to get used to them

 

[BabyMagic]

I have actually added some raisins or apricots to her fruit purees. I haven't actually given her baby rice or weetabix as I thought it may add to her constipation, but maybe fibre in them could actually help.

I feel so bad to see her in pain (yet when she has the 'pain attack' I remain very calm and talk to her smiling while trying to help her by rubbing her tummy). Maybe this is just normal and LO just needs to get used to it. LOs poo is pretty adult like but there is soooo much of it (her poo is as long as a fork!).

I haven't given her any dairy products yet as there is lactose intolerance in my family (I don't have it though).

Hope she gets better soon.

 

[Fly]

There is something really practical you can do sweetie...

Strip little one down to her nuddyness and make sure you are both nice n warm n comfortable n in a receptive frame of mind - sit with her between your legs on the floor and get some nice warm baby oil or moisturiser in your hands... gently with left hand sweep up in a crescent shape like the sun rising from her right hand pelvis up towards her navel... then with your right hand sweep back down like the moon setting into her left pelvis... this encourages the bowel motion in the correct direction. very important you move from her right to her left and firm but gentle sweeping motions with hands...

Then massage down her legs gently and with a foot and ankle in each hand gently push both her legs up towards her tummy then gently cycle them around - you can make a gentle song up maybe to go with the motions - push both her legs up again towards her tummy and do the cycling again.. by pushing the legs up it's opening up the bowel into an easier position.. good one for all of us to remember actually cos constipation can be relieved in adults by raising the feet up onto a stool whilst sat on zee carzy! just make it all a bit easier on the sphincter muscles

might be a good idea to have a nappy under her bum when you do this cos those two baby massage techniques are both designed to help ease constipation

There is no point doin the massage if either you or little one is feelin grouchy or tired.. you need to feel relaxed and enjoy it as a close bonding time... wrap her up in a big fluffy towel afterwards and maybe keep a nice warm hand on her tummy under the towel - big cuddles and smiles and lots of encouragement if she starts to poo... you can help her with poo's by pushing her legs up when you see her making poo faces

I would try and get a little bit of fibre into her diet - what about baby porridge if you are worried about gluten in wheat products? i'd be tempted to try a gluten free cereal before adding things hefty citric acids into the diet...

Defo get on the baby massage thing though cos its lovely to do and really really does help my son suffered terribly with colic and trapped wind and constipation and baby massage sorted us right out x x x x x

 

[BabyMagic]

Thank you very much Fly

I'll try this tomorrow morning. Tomorrow will be a third day without a poo and it is usually that day when the painful poo monster visits us

I've tried to massage her tummy and cycle her legs when she is in the middle of a painful poo, but as you said LO is hardly relaxed then. I have noticed that lifting her to a standing position has helped.

I've been silly as I thought baby rice or porridge may make it worse (not sure why I thought so ) so maybe starting to give porridge at breakfast is a good idea...

I can see that you are due to have your baby any time now - good luck

 

[BabyMagic]

The massage worked!!!! Not straight away, but I did it yesterday morning and evening, and this morning we finally got a result. She started going while I was cycling her legs, so I just held them upright and kept talking to her calmly.

The 'episode' only lasted for a few minutes and even though LO cried it was nowhere near as painful and long experience that we have had in the past!

I am going to continue doing the massage once/twice a day. I will also keep offering her porridge and watery fruits (kiwifruit and watermelon etc).

 

[Fly]

really glad to hear that x x x x

 

[Fly]

She might find it a little more comfortable if you push her legs up towards her tummy with her knee's bent hun cos this is natural squatting position goodluck x x x x

 

[trixipaws]

awww bless i remember this! when millie did her first solid poo she was on the changing mat and i saw it coming out and she was crying with pain i felt so sorry for her

before she was weaned i found boiled water did the trick- however nowadays if she needs a little help loosening her poo's i give her raisins, or fresh orange juice. (under a year old i wouldve watered the orange down)

or u can get some stuff from holland&barrett i think kirlykird used it and found it brilliant.