Hard Stool From My Seven Month Old

by Holly
(Kansas City MO)

My seven month old daughter is having very hard stools. It is also taking her all day to have a bowel movement. She will try several times thru the day but without success. She does always have one bowel movement a day, but it takes great effort and seems bothersome to her.

What can I give her daily to help soften her stools?







Baby Help Line Reponse:

Hi Holly!

Since your baby is so "old" ;-), she can really benefit from all the different fruits that tend to soften the stools. Offer her prune, apple or pear juice or purées of the same fruits. Kiwis are also good. Also make sure to avoid bananas, carrots, blue berries and dairy products until the constipation is gone. And make sure she drinks a lot of breast milk or water.

If she has never tried these fruits before, start slowly, may be with one tea spoon to spot any allergic reaction.

Good luck!

/Paula