Constipation and introducing baby food

[meagpt22]

So DD has had trouble passing BM (screams bloody murder) or goes days without going for the past 3 weeks. This is not her normal. We were doing prune juice but didn't want to give daily so doctor suggested switching formulas. We've been doing new formula for couple days now and she still has hard BM and a lot of discomfort. So my question is would introducing purée foods (peas, pears, or something higher in fiber) help or continue to cause same issues? Dr okayed us giving cereal and foods since DD has good head control. She'll be 5 months on Monday. Or anyone else have any other suggestions that have helped their LO?

[rockynfrankie]

I don't have much to give you besides ask your Dr what you should do next. Im not sure how much of a difference food will make because when you start out its more about teaching them to eat. The nutrition still comes from the formula and it might not be enough to have an impact on her bowels. I have no experience with it though so I could be completely wrong.

Has your Dr ever mentioned trying glycerin suppository? I also have no experience with them but a friend a mine had to use them with her DS at this age and it was really the only thing that helped.

[happyin14]

I think baby food will have an impact on bowels, but I wouldn't start just to relieve constipation. I agree with PP and ask the dr for a next step. Start foods when you and LO are ready for the developmental reasons.

[syllessa]

I agree with asking your doctor. I'm just here to give a related anecdote.
DD1 was my formula fed, constipated, screamed bloody murder baby. We switched formulas, prune juice, belly massage, anything! Finally, when she was old enough to try solids, we started giving her 2-3 bites of prune puree every morning. We'd feed her other stuff after, but every morning she got a couple of bites of prunes. Thankfully she outgrew the issue by her first birthday. And they lived happily ever after. the end.

[meagpt22]

Thanks everyone. Before the dr recommended switching formula they at first blew me off with "a lot of formula fed babies are constipated". Then they called back to recommend the formula switch. At her 4 month check up he said p word fruits and veggies will help bc of the water content. So figured I'd ask here if they do in fact work. syllessa thanks for the recommendation for prune purée. When we start purées I'll consider adding that one. And I do hope she outgrows this bc I feel so bad for her.
Thanks again everyone.

[suzanne]

You need to mix foods with a laxative property - prunes, spinach/other green veg, nuts (if not allergic) pineapple, melon ete
Use any foodstuff repeatedly and the bowels very quickly get acclimatised (even fiber ecerals)

Drug wise, I've found only the suppositories to be absolutely failsafe (and "aafe")