5 Month Old Having Hard Time Pooping - Reflux?

by Brittney

It started a little over 3 months ago. My little boy would strain so hard trying to poop he would throw up everywhere. Out his nose, his mouth, all over the place. He would push, grunt, red faced, and couldn't breathe. The doctor told us it was Reflux but nothing helped. He did tests for Pyloric Stenosis. The tests came back negative.

He then put him on a strict eating schedule. Only eating every 4 hours and eating 3 oz. Plus he was on Zantac. My son then became underweight. Soon the symptoms cleared up and we went back to regular. He ate 6oz every 3 hours, was a happy baby, and had no problems.

Three days ago the symptoms reappeared. Just as my baby was finally up to par on weight. Now he doesn't eat and if he does it's no more than 3oz. This is happening as I'm trying to introduce him to solids so now that's got to be put on hold. He has his hard time pooping and gets sick every time he strains.

The doctor says his Reflux is back. BUT my friends who have babies with Reflux said that theirs are not like my son when he poops. That's his only problem is when pooping.

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Baby Help Line:

Reflux Baby Throws Up When Pooping While Introducing Solids

Poor boy (very cute little fellow!). I am not doctor and can't give you any medical advice. But as a mom, I find it completely possible that your son has a mild form of reflux. But whether that is the only problem is of course hard to tell. Have you tried talking to another pediatrician to get a second opinion?

The fact that your son has become constipated now that you are introducing solid baby food is very normal. Some babies really need a very slow introduction of baby food to avoid tummy pain and constipation. My youngest was like that. He didn't throw up, but cried and cried while pooping but the first and second time I tried to introduce baby food. (Yes, I went back to only breastfeeding him twice due to his pain.) The third time I mixed anything I served him with prune puree. That worked.

Since your son is getting constipated and might have a reflux problem (or something related), be very careful and go slowly with the baby food. Don't give him anything that may cause constipation, such as unripe banana, carrots, dairy products, blueberry and potatoes, rice cereal and white bread.

Instead let him try prune puree, apricots, sweet potatoes, peas, avocado and, possible oatmeal cereal, which doesn't cause constipation the way rice cereal does. Or at least make sure you always mix the rice cereal with some fruit puree that will mitigate the risk of constipation.

And again, I want to send you some strength to continue trying to sort out what is wrong with your little son. Since you are not convinced that this is reflux, you won't find peace of mind until you've found the problem. Take him to another pediatrician. Keep a diary of when he throws up and when he poops and the problems he has. And don't give up!

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More Babies With Tummy Issues After Introducing Solids

• 6 Month Baby Strains And Cries When Pooping


• Baby Stopped Pooping When Introducing Solid Foods


• Breastfed 7 Month Baby Can't Poop When Feeding Solids

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