Hard Poop For 7 Month Old

by mommypoop

My almost 7mth old's poop has become harder over the last several days, and harder for her to pass. Last night she woke screaming and I had to help her get it out by bending up her knees.

She has been breastfed since birth and just recently we have added a few ounces of formula at bed time, could this be the problem?

Baby Help Line:

Constipation When Switching From Breast Milk To Formula

Yes, it is very likely that it is the formula that causes the constipation. This is quite common for breastfed babies, both when starting with formula and with solid foods. Their digestive systems simply aren't used to tougher foods than breast milk.

If you can, cut back on the formula for a while. If that isn't possible, try switching to another brand. Sometimes babies are allergic to the protein in the formula, for example to the milk protein or to the soy protein if your baby drinks soy-based formula. Switching between these two might help.

Finally there are also hydrolysate formulas, where the proteins have been chopped into building blocks and therefor are easier to digest and also do not trigger allergies. Nutramigen and Nestle Good Start are examples of hydrolysate formulas.

If cutting back on the formula or switching to another kind doesn't help, I think you should consult your baby's doctor to rule out any illness. But since the problems started after introducing formula, it is highly likely that this is the cause of the problems.

If regular formula is your only option, then, since she is older than 6 months, go ahead and also give her prune or apricot puree, which softens stools.

You can also read about more remedies for baby constipation here.

Wish you good luck!

Paula

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Hard Poop For 7 Month Old

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Feb 13, 2011

Prunes!
by: Mommy in Canada

Poor thing, that hard poop is hurting her to push out. A nice jar of prunes will fix that right away. Have lots of wipes on hand!

Apr 01, 2011

frustrating huh?
by: Military mom

I know what you mean, my son has been constipated everyday for the passed six months. When he poops he screams, strains, turns red and breaks out into a sweat. Finally doctors decided to take things a bit more serious after being sent home to try all their prescribe remedies that did not work. In radiology they tested my son now one yrs of age for hirscsprungs disease, this is very rare but dangerous. The only cure for this condition is corrective surgery to the large intestine. They simply tested with barium enema contrast to rule out this disease and luckily he has no signs. I say that to say this constipation is so common that a lot of potentially dangerous issues can be going on. Get your childs abdomen x-ray for a diagnosis, the sooner caught the better.

Mar 07, 2012

hard poop
by: Reshma

my girl is of 8months and since she has started to eat semi solid foods like rice,carrot,beans and i have started with formula just a few days ago i have noticed that her stools is tight and hard like big people and its difficult for her to pass through.and from yesterday she has not passed her stool i tried a lot by giving her warm boiled water but no it didnt work please do advice me what will i do.

Mar 08, 2012

Constipated baby when started with solids
by: Paula (Easy Baby Life)

Reshma,

Breastfed babies often become constipated when starting with solid foods. Try increasing the share of breast milk a bit for a while if possible, and focus on giving her foods that are not stopping, such as pears, prunes, oatmeal instead of rice cereal, peas and most pureed vegetables.

Avoid unripe banana, carrots, large amounts of potatoes, blueberry, pasta and white rice.

You can also try a nice warm bath and some baby massage.

For more information on baby constipation, read here.

I hope this helps,

Paula

Sep 11, 2012

hard to poop
by: Anonymous

my 7 month old has always had issues with pooping, everytime i ask the practioner she tells me to mess around with her formual because they try to make it as close to breat milk as possible.
I changed her from good start to simulac cause i found out there is an oil that contributes to consitpation.
I am frustrated with this and not sure what to do anymore. She always has just popped her first set of teeth and know that constipation goes along with that.
I give her prunes, apricots, pears, and water/diluted juice inbetween feeds but still nothing works.
Is there something else I should do other then demanding for further help from the doctor????

thanks

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