Help! I think my 6mo is constipated...

My little man has been having solids for about 2 weeks now... Until now it has been going great and we haven't had an issue. But on Saturday I gave him potato for the first time and he hasn't had a poo since.

Now I know that for most bubs going a day without a poo isn't a big deal, but my DS normally poos anywhere between 2 and 4 times a day. It is very rare for us to have a day where he only has one poo (has happened maybe 3 times) and he has never gone a full day without one.

So should I be worried? And what should I do to help things along? TIA

It might not be constipation, but potato is one of the foods that can contribute, so it's possible that it is. The best thing to do is to increase his fluids. Try and sqeeze in an extra feed or two, and you could also offer some water. Oh, and avoid potato for now!!

If you have no luck with that and he's starting to show some signs of discomfort, I'd try some sultanas and also pear juice next.

GL!

Hi,

As Manta said, introducing solids may change their pooing habits - but it doesn't necessarily mean they are constipated. If he is happy and settled - don't worry too much. the best possile thing is to give extra breastfeeds - breastmilk has a laxative effect. Around the same time mums introduce solids, they also usually introduce a cup of water.(often not much gets drunk at first)

Hi Miss E,

The first time I tried potato with my DD it caused her to be constipated in exactly the same way you've mentioned (she just stopped pooing when she had been pooing up to 4 times daily, and then had difficulty with hard, nuggety poos for the next few days). I find potato and even rice has the same affect on her even now - she seems to be quite sensitive to getting constipated, even though she is still demand BF. I can counter this when offering rice/potato fairly well by making sure I offer plenty of fruit at the same meal.

An extra feed or so is the best thing to help, if it turns out he is constipated, as Barb and MR have mentioned - it worked for us.

When you next decide to try introducing it again, try it in a smaller amount, and offer foods with lots of fibre at the same time - i.e. other vegetables and plenty of fruit, and perhaps even some water at the same time.

HTH :)

Thanks for your words of wisdom ladies. Funnily enough just as I was reading your replies he went :clap: I always give him water when we do solids and he loves it, but I haven't given him any fruit yet (try to stay away from sweet stuff for the time being). It's a pity because he really liked the potato, do you think I should try it again in a few days, or maybe stay away from it for a bit longer?

Also, while we're on the topic, his poos haven't really gotten any firmer since starting solids. They're still very runny, the only difference is that they are a bit smellier and I can see little chunks of what he's eaten (bits of carrot, broccoli etc, sorry if TMI). Is this normal?

That's great :) He doesn't sound constipated if his poos haven't got any firmer. Constipation isn't defined by how long between motions, but by the consistency of the stool. If he hasn't been in any distress or discomfort even though it was a full day between, and they weren't hard/very firm then I wouldn't be concerned about giving him potato again as soon as you want, especially if he likes it!

It's very normal for babies who have just started on solids to have stool that is almost the same as prior to starting solids, with only little bits of what they have eaten in it - they say that you can always tell what a baby/toddler has eaten for this reason! ;) As he starts to take more solids as he gets a bit older and closer to toddlerhood, then you may see them firm up a little more (then again, you may not - some babies just always have quite wet stools, especially with the laxative effect of BM). It's very normal and nothing to worry about at this stage.

Sounds like he's doing great and really enjoying his solids, Miss E - that's wonderful! :D

Yep sounds very normal. DS's poos vary in consistency (lol!) but sometimes they are runny-ish (not solid) and I can always spot what he's eaten! Oh and the smell! :o You could always try potato again and see how he goes but as others have said, offer lots of fruit + bm and water with it :)