8 MO, Solids stopped due to constipation/gas/multiple NWs--next step?

[hannahbanana]

First, let me say that I do not think it's "normal" for a LO to go days without pooping.  It might be the norm, but I don't believe it's good for our bodies (babies and adults).  I think the culprit is 1.) iron fortification, 2) lack of digestive enzymes (despite the fact that the doctors recommend starting with rice!)

Since starting on cereals, my LO started waking multiple times at night and has been very constipated.   I can hear her straining and pushing for a BM.  When she wakes at night, her cries is abnormal (for her) and suggests pain/discomfort.  So, except for juice/water to help her flush out and a bit of pumpkin (because I read that it helps), I've stopped solids for two days.  Today, she pooped twice!!!, each time progressively looser.  I'm giving her sips of diluted prune juice, to try to clear things out.  I'm not sure what to do once that's accomplished.

A friend of mine didn't start solids with her ebf girls until 10 and 12 months.  I read on a post on these boards that a nurse mentioned papers coming out of the US the indicate that solids should be delayed until 9 months.  Do you all know anything more about this?  Other than the supposed need for iron, what are the reasons I should give my almost 15 pound 8.5 month old solids?  What do you think about only doing fruits/veggies for the next month or so?  I'd like to wait until a year to introduce meats, when she can chew them herself.

Any advice, personal experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks,

sophia

[tylersmommy]

Honestly, every baby is different. Some are definitely ready to start solids at 4 mo, some not until much later. 4-6 mo is just a guideline. There is really not much of a nutritional need for solids until closer to 1 yr of age, so I don't see any issue with taking a break and continuing when you feel your LO is ready, whenever that may be. I haven't done any research on the arguments for delaying solids so I can't speak to that, but I really don't see what the harm in it could be.

I almost completely skipped cereal with #2. It just constipated her and made her uncomfortable. Her entire solids diet consisted of fruits, veggies, and whole grains like bread and pasta. I didn't do meat with either of my kids until they were able to chew them. I didn't worry much about iron, since she was getting an occasional bottle of formula, but if your LO is ebf you can always get iron supplements or just rely on the iron in enriched whole grains (cheerios are actually a really good source of iron).

I hope your DD feels better soon!

[hannahbanana]

Thanks, Melissa.  Your approach sounds better to me.  Anyway, what did babies do when there was no such thing as iron-fortified cereal?  Were they all anemic?!

Again, thanks.

[*Natasha*]

Was just going to say the same that cereal can cause alot of babies constipation and alot of mums don't have their babies on it by itself along. I quickly moved onto fruit and vegetables for that reason i did mix it with the cereal and never had constipation issues with DD1.

[hannahbanana]

I have been mixing the cereal with fruit, to no avail!  I think we're going to skip cereal and go for fingers foods, like pasta and bread, in the next month.

How long do you think I need to give for her to "clean out" her system? 

[tylersmommy]

I'd wait until she isn't showing any more signs of discomfort or pain.

[jess, lukeys_mom]

Sophia,

There is another post from ryansmommy on these boards with a similar subject. You really don't have to go the grains route. The thing is that by the time your lo is 1 yo, nutritionally she will need more solids. So the 6 mo point is when the majority of lo's have mature enough digestive systems to accept solid foods, and it is to give you 6 months time to gradually get them used to different tastes and textures.

It is totally acceptable to skip cereals! A lot of babies have trouble with them and they are not necessary. Also no meat is fine too!
I'd go with fruit and veg, and you can give things for her to suck on such as rice cakes, crackers, rusks, etc for now. I agree that you can give Cheerios for iron - but don't think you have to worry about this much until 1yo. For protein you can spread a little cream cheese on her crackers, and/or puree some tofu with her fruit and veg. (I feed mashed tofu to Luke in his foods just about every day of his life and he doesn't seem to notice or care). Try beans with her if they don't make her too gassy (I puree brown beans with apple and Luke loves it)  Also you can add nutritional supplements to her foods such as ground flax seeds and wheat germ and then I wouldn't worry about her getting enough vitamins.

HTH a little
jess x

[hannahbanana]

Ladies, thanks so much for your advice.  I think we have a course of action.

Today, her morning poop was very loose, like it was when we were only breastfeeding.  Encouraged, I decided to offer her 2 oz. of pears for lunch.  I know I should have waited at least one night to see how she did, to have a "control" group for my experiment.  But, as we passed the open pantry shelves, she eyed her babyfood jars and reached for them.  If we have a problem, of course, I can back off again.

Again, thank you.

sophia