Constipation with Rice Cereal

Updated on March 07, 2008
M.K. asks from Santa Rosa, CA
4 answers

My baby girl will be 6 months next week. She is on formula & I've been giving her rice cereal. She's been constipated. Last night, she had a bowel movement & she screamed. I think it hurt her so bad that it scared her. I've been told to add a little apple juice to her rice cereal. Any other suggestions? Should I stop giving her rice cereal & just try another one?

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So What Happened?

I've had her on oatmeal cereal which helped her tremendously (she didn't like the taste at first, so I mixed it with some rice). She's also been trying a few different foods. We also found out that some of the constipation was also the formula she's been on. She doesn't scream anymore. She occasionally whimpers & that's about it. Thanks for the advice!

More Answers

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C.H.

answers from San Francisco on

We had the same problem around that time. Our Dr. told us to give our son a little prune juice (warmed up). We did 2 oz. with 2 oz. of water. At first we were trying it once a day and then eventually went to 2x per day for awhile. I would cut back on the rice cereal as all the iron is what most likely constipates them and gives them such hard stools. Also, a warm bath tends to help it come out. Hang in there. Now that my son is 8 months+ and eating other solids (fruits that start with "P" especially) we don't have to do the prune juice at all anymore. You can also try switching to oatmeal since it's less constipating. Our son used to scream when he would go and it was very hard and uncomfortable. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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T.R.

answers from San Francisco on

Try oatmeal or barley cereal it is less binding than rice. My son had the same problem, or you can try making it with apple juice instead of water. Pear jucie helps alot too.

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P.W.

answers from San Francisco on

I'd try another one. I've heard there's little nutrition in rice cereal anyway. Apparently rice milk in particular is a bad alternative because it's little more than sugar water.

Just switch. You won't be losing much.

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H.H.

answers from San Francisco on

My daughter would also get constipated occasionally with the rice cereal. I would alternate with stone fruit purees like cooked peaches and pears which helped to keep her regular. I also did a lot of sweet potato puree which is a good first food. Add lots of water or formula to the purees and cereal so that they are pretty runny. Stay away from bananas if she's already constipated because they will just make it much worse. Hope this helps!!

1 mom found this helpful
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