Constipation in Babies after Starting Solids

When it comes to feeding a baby, care should be taken while introducing solids to a breastfed baby for the first time. This is because the baby will take some time to get adjusted to new food and eating habits. As a consequence constipation in babies, after starting solids, is a common problem. Considering all these factors, careful choosing of baby food and planning the baby's diet are imperative for minimizing discomfort symptoms.

Milk is the base food for babies and additional food is fed for providing iron and energy. For a baby, the ideal time to start with solid food is when he/she is 6 months old. Nevertheless, the actual age in which complementary food can be added depends on whether the baby is breastfed or bottle-fed. In case of a breastfeeding baby, mother's milk can be supplemented with semisolid and solid food after 6 months. Whereas, baby formula and stage one food are recommended for one year, along with bottle milk for a bottle-fed baby.

As mentioned already, irregular bowel movement and/or constipation in infants after starting them on solids is not unusual in the first few days. It is understandable that solid food take more time to digest than breast milk. In some babies, sleep may get disturbed after feeding solid food. After introducing solid food, passing bowel movement once in two to three days is considered normal. Parents need not worry or contact the pediatrician, if the stool appears soft and the baby passes it without straining. However, hard stools, straining and constant crying during defecation are signs of constipation.

Identify Food that Cause Constipation in Babies

So, what causes constipation in babies? No doubt, feeding solid food can be the main reason behind constipation in babies after starting solids. But, that does not mean that you should not feed complementary food for a longer period. This in turn will cause health problems, loss of weight and delayed growth in babies. An effectual baby care tip to reduce incidences of constipation in babies is identifying difficult-to-digest food, and avoiding them as far as possible.

As expected, the type of solid food fed to the baby matter a lot in providing healthy nutrients and reducing bowel problems for the baby. Rice based food items are usually the first solids fed to babies. As they contain less fiber, the baby may face difficulty in passing stool. Other food items that may cause constipation in babies are banana, egg yolk and peanut containing food. To help pass bowel movement easily, ensure that you feed plenty of healthy fluids.

How to Relieve Constipation in Babies

Dealing with a constipated baby is disheartening for any mother. In fact, one the most common queries raised by new moms is how to combat constipation in babies after starting solids. Giving sufficient time to the baby's digestive health, for required changes, is the main approach towards relieving constipation. And for achieving this, all you need to do is feed food with specific consistency at particular stages, which are highlighted below:

• Six to seven months old baby: This is the age when babies will experience the first taste of solid food. To start with, feed semisolid food with a smooth consistency. You can ask the pediatrician about solid food for 7 month old and choose accordingly.
• Seven to eight months old baby: Babies falling in this age group slowly learn to bite and chew food. For them, soft and easy-to-chew lumps of food are ideal for feeding.
• Nine to twelve months old baby: This is the period when babies prefer self-serving of food. You can select healthy finger food and thick lumps for feeding them. Refer to solid food for 9 month old to understand better about the food options.
• One year old baby: By now, the baby's bowel habits are well acquainted to solid food items. So, the regular family diet with lesser spices can be fed to the baby.

As you see, constipation in babies after starting solids is a common case. Although stomach problems and infections are less likely to occur in a six month baby, certain care needs to be taken for preparing, serving and storing the food items. Along with feeding liquids, a good option is to make puree of vegetables and serve them to babies.