Constipation/More Poopy

[Grace's Mom]

My DD started solids about a month ago.  Is it normal for her have more BMs?  Also, is she more likely to have constipation?  Is there anything I can do to help her with the constipation?

Thanks
Mel

[Spectra]

Yeah that's normal.  I had to add prunes to her cereal everyday or else she'll get constipated.

[Grace's Mom]

Thanks Spectra.

I also heard somewhere that giving them water can help.  Is that true?

Mel

[calebs mommy]

Yes, it's normal.  You can add an extra ounce of water to her bottle to help with constipation. 

[binxyboo]

I think the water is best. Lo would get cramps after the prune juice. Peaches seemed to help with his constipaion. He was breastfed.

[Mum-of-Two]

I also switched from rice cereal to single grained oatmeal, that seemed to help too.  We've never tried prunes, pears are usually enough for my little one.

[*Natasha*]

Rice cereal can often lead to constipation are you giving her that? Yes it is normal for them to have more BM when on solids.

[Grace's Mom]

Not too much rice cereal but oatmeal every morning.  She has tried apples, peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, avocado, and pears. 

Thanks for all the wonderful advice. 

Mel

[avery's momma]

hey mel-
dr told me that if the poop keeps getting thicker/she seems constipated, then you can add some pear juice to the mix..

[Grace's Mom]

Thanks Ali.

[avery's momma]

i mixed some in with avery's cereal this morning... will let you know how it goes!
glad to help, mel

[Grace's Mom]

We switched the oatmeal/rice cereal to the evening and are giving her one ounce of a new food in the morning and then oatmeal or rice cereal and either a fruit or veggie after her 3rd bottle at around4:30 or 5pm. 

She is now waking up 1.5 -2 hours early in the am and just when I think she is going to head off to sleep she has a huge poopy (it is looser now).  This has been going on and off now for a few weeks.  I just don't know how to get her to poop during the day so that her day isn't starting at 5am. 

We are just in a vicious cycle of being overtired....early wakings causing really really short naps and then it continues.  I can't put my finger on the exact cause as many things are going on right now (solids, sitting, teething, rollings, bad naps, overtired, etc.)  but I think if I can fix this it may solve a few things. 

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks a bunch.
Melissa

[LLLena]

Mel - I am sure you've already tried this, but how about keeping the curtains closed and dark in her room?  Have you considered re-starting the EASY?  We did tried w2s without much success, and finally opted for pu/pd and it really works. I was reluctant, but I am really happy to have done it.  I posted about it on the Feb/March thread.  I will tell you that it won't be pretty for the first couple of days, but it works and is well worth the couple days of ugliness.  Please let me know if I can do anything for you.

-Lena

[Grace's Mom]

Hey Lena....yeah, we keep it pitch black in there...I can barely see. 

I would love to do pu/pd but I don't think my back couldn't handle it.  It already has problems and I can just see something else happening while doing that.  Argh, I may have to just do it anyway.  I will go to the board and read up on it some more.  Thanks. 

Melissa

[LLLena]

Hey Mel - I justed to let you know it is possible with a bad back to do pu/pd.  I herniate L4-5 in 2003 and still have problems with it, but was able to do pu/pd without that much of a problem.  I thought it'd be worse than it was, but I was just careful.  Good luck in whatever you decide to do.... we all need a break once in a while.

Lena