Wind, toilet frequency and solids for a 6 mth old

[CeCe]

DS seems to be decreasing in the frequency of his bowel movements. He was an every day boy, which recently changed to every second day. He now hasn't done a poo since Thursday afternoon. He gets wind/tummy pain which he's had but I don't think it's worse than usual. Is this frequency just becoming the new 'norm' for him, or should I be looking for/doing something? He's had plenty of wet nappies so I'm not concerned there. It's just the lack of poos.

He will be 6months next week. We haven't started solids because I'm a stickler and he's not 6 months yet , and besides I'm interstate away from DH and we want to do this together.

He is on BM. Is this a sign he's getting ready for solids? Also does the introduction of solids tend to help or hinder those babies with wind issues? I'm quite concerned about this aspect because he does have so much tummy trouble (well to me he does).

[HotI]

Introducing solids has increased tummy issuea and made poos more difficult, less frequent. Just go slow and see how he goes. I am doing BLS and try to include cooked appl or pear most days trying to help with poos.

[Mrs P]

Hi CeCe - my DD was born the same day as your DS

Her poo frequency has decreased over the last month or so - it went from 1-2 daily to once every 3 or even 4 days. Now it's about once every 2nd day. So I think maybe it's normal for this age?

We started a little bit of purees etc for a couple of weeks while I waited for my baby led solids book to arrive - now we're doing BLS and absolutely loving it. Tonight DD had spaghetti and some avocado on cruskit!! A friend of mine used to cook up prunes and give that to her DS to help with getting things moving.

[Yeddi]

The lack of poos is most probably because he is using it all, and there is very little waste. I would say the lack of stools is an indicator that he might be starting to need more, I wouldn't let your desire to do things together with DH or an arbitrary age (either younger or older) stop you from providing something he might need - but that is up to you. The thing I would question is his wind. I know a lot of people say it's "normal" for babies to experience wind pain, but I would tend to disagree. While it is normal for babies to have wind, it shouldn't hurt. If he is having discomfort when passing wind that would indicate to me that he is intolerant to something in your diet, which would effect the way I would introduce solids, starting with things that were low in sallicylates and amines, as well as making sure it was a simple carbohydrate (like fruit and veg) before introducing them to complex carbs like cereals and grains, which they don't have the enzyme to break down properly until nearer to 7 months anyway (hence the reason I've always questioned the nutritionally cardboard-like white rice cereal as a first food). I personally even question baby led solids, because babies gut is not the same as ours and is at this time still developing the enzymes and acids it needs to work properly. The reason why people have used purees (and before that mum chewed the food up first before giving it to bub, a bit like a bird) is because babies don't have teeth and the more solid the portion going into the stomach the harder it is to process, therefore the less nutrients is stripped from it before it is finally excreted, and hence you can see big chunky bits in their poo - this is not a good thing. Conversely, the more masticated the food is, the easier it is to break down and get the nutrients needed. Also a lot of the foods suggested first in BLS are super high in sallicylates and amines (broccoli, carrot, tomato based meals) and intolerances are normally only shown to the point where they get our attention (like a rash) once they are compounded.

Pear is usually a good option first. Apples are okay if they are skinned yellow or red, not granny smiths. Plain **homemade** chicken stock (it's just the water the chicken has been boiled in) is also good and can eventually have mashed white potato (which is high in zinc and vitamin C) mixed in. I would add them one at a time and see how he goes before introducing ones that are higher in sallicylates/amines. Watch for a reaction, not just rashes but irritability and painful wind. If you get the later, I would investigate an intolerance to that food. HTH

[CeCe]

HotI. Thank you for that. I'll be sure to take it slow and watch for any signs of extra tummy issues.
Mrs P. DS must have thought it was a good time to be born as he was a couple of weeks earlier than expected DS has done three poos since 11pm last night so now I'm back to the guessing game. I have been looking into BLS but have been unable to get the book from local stores - I guess it is one I have to order in after all. I think in the meantime I'll start him on some puree's and see how that goes.
Yeddi. Thank you for your post. As above I've really been considering BLS and still am but maybe not straight away now. As I've been looking into BLS I've been wondering why ppl have been doing the puree for so long if BLS is so easy and beneficial. I think I'll just have to take either way slow and see how we go. I did mention not starting DS on food but it's really only been the last week he's started showing any interest in me or DH putting things from table to mouth, and I'm back home tomorrow night so I don't think I've deprived him of anything beneficial (just clarifiying my initial post). Given I don't like green apples it would be my last choice for DS, but any tips are greatly appreciated. This is all so new and a little confusing as like any BB Mum, I just want what is best for my DS.