My 5 1/2 month old is having some strange bowel movements. A couple of weeks ago, at which time she was exclusively breastfed, she went four days without going, which hasn't ever been normal for her. Pediatrician recommended a suppository laxative, which made her go but not nearly as much as I thought she'd have in there. We had to do the supp lax before, when she had the same "not going" issue & that stuff almost FLEW out of her then.
It seemed to get better & we started her on some solids. She'd poop every day, but
whereas she used to have huge, almost explosive wet movements, they're now drier (still soft, but almost solid) and MUCH smaller. So small that they don't really move into the diaper; they just kind of stick to her little bum cheeks. When I wipe her, sometimes stimulating the area w/ the wipie seems to make more come out, a little at a time, for a bit.
So we've stopped the solids & are back to exclusively breastfeeding, thinking that perhaps her tummy just wasn't ready to handle the food. I have tried giving her some fruit juice, but she won't take a bottle & isn't awesome with the sippy cup yet so she's not getting much into her.
We're seeing the pedi tomorrow, but I'd love to know if any of you mommas have experience with this & what the deal was, how it got better, etc.
Thanks!!
M.,
I don't know what to tell you as far as her constipation during exclusive breast feeding, but when you started her on solids, here's a thought. She isn't taking in as much breast milk (fluid) as she was before. She is eating solid foods, therefore, her bm will be more solid. This, anyway, was my experience with my daughter when she started on solids. HTH!
Good luck,
L. F.
My pedi says to avoid fruit juice, it isn't really all that good for babies/kids anyways and she is still pretty young for juice.
I would keep her on the milk/cereal idea and reintroduce foods when her stomach is ready.
Also, I would agree with the other post that her stools will naturally be a bit more solid as you introduce more solids.
All babies are going to have problems with BM's when introduced to solids or even new foods. Their bodies have to adapt to the change. Both my sons had days of not going while starting solids.
It is pretty normal for babies to go several days up to a week with out having a BM, as long as when they do go there is no blood and it is not super dry or hard. Anytime you add a new formula or food or change her diet in anyway the BM's with change as well. We have always been told to try not to do a suppository because it is not really needed and don't want her to become dependant on that to go.
There is probably nothing wrong and she is probably not constipated. If she is not uncomfortable or unhappy, I would not do the suppositories or fruit juice. It sounds to me like your breastmilk is changing, which is perfectly normal and expected, especially around this age. Your breastmilk changes over time and naturally, the baby's BMs will change along with it, don't worry or try to fix it, as long as she is happy or gaining weight, don't do anything differently. I would continue breastfeeding exclusively. I would stop stimulating the area, they can begin to become dependent on that to go, it can be kind of dangerous and make the problem worse than it is. Keep in mind that at this age, their digestive system matures greatly. This is the reason that they recommend introducing solids now. For the first 4- 5 months, their little digestive system practically takes in and absorbs everything and doesn't work as effectively. I would go ahead and reintroduce the solids, slowly as your ped recommends. Keep breastfeeding, start the cereal. What you are experiencing is perfectly normal at this age. Your ped should tell you the same thing.
I exclusively breast fed both of my boys until they were 6 month old.
I remember at about 5 months freaking out because after having bms after almost every feeding.. they stopped and only started happening (explosively ) once avery 4 -5 days.
It seems thatbreast milk is a perfect food for our kids.. and that because of the development of babies digestive system... they are able to digest almost all of it perfectly so they don't need to have bms as often.
do not add juice.. if you think your child isn't getting enough to drink.. just give you child water.
Juice is not good for babies or young children and just causes cavities in young children.
In NewZealand babies are not encouraged to have Juice.. at all.. If you feel they must have juice put one part juice to TEN parts water... and no more than once a day!!! until kids are FIVE!
Mine was the same way. You just have to keep doing solids until her little body adjusts to it. To keep her normal I make sure to incorporate fruits that are not binding like pears and prunes... it helps a lot. maybe stay away from bananas for a bit.
