6 Month Old With Painful Bowel Movment and Blood When Wiping

by Jennifer
(Jefferson City, MO, USA)

I just introduced my nursing 6 month old to her first solid food, avocado, and this morning she was fussy and almost holding her breath with pain.

As I changed her diaper, she was in the prcess of finishing the bowel movement. The feces is much thicker, of course, than it was with just breastfeeding and rice cereal, and I noticed blood as I cleaned her bottom. I do not notice blood in the stool, just on the baby wipe as I wiped the anus. I'm assuming her anus is bleeding due to stretching out further than it has before to produce a thicker bowel movement.

Does this sound correct? Should I stop feeding her the avocado? Should I introduce a different food now that it has been several days on just avocado?

Is there anything I can do to alleviate the pain or to soften the stool so it can be more easily passed?

Baby Help Line Response:

Hi Jennifer!

Poor girl! It is quite common particularly for breastfed babies to become constipated when they start with solid foods. Go slowly and try mixing the veggies you give her with prune purée or give a table spoon to her as a dessert with every meal. You can also try giving her some prune juice if she prefers that.

I've found prunes as being one of the most efficient ways to soften baby stools. Also remember to always either offer breast milk or water every time you give her solid foods.

Could this be a way forward for you?

/Paula

 

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