Yet another poop question

[risa00]

My DD started solids almost a month ago and just recently started more on veggies and fruits. Her poop has changed.. It's not hard so it's not constipation, but it's not the super soft poop that it use to be. I was trying to think of something that I can compare it to and the only thing that comes to mind is Crisco, shortening. She has been pooping only a tiny bit at a time as she strains for a while to even get that. Not sure what the issue is and if this is normal. I've tried prune juice, bicycling legs, pushing below navel, jiggling thermometer in rectum. Again, it's not constipation but I didn't know if this is normal.

[jimmysgirl424]

Our ped told us that DD's bowel movements would change once she started solids, but didn't mention any of the things that are happening with your DD. I would probably put a call in to your ped just to let him/her know what is going on.

[myshel]

DD's poop often looks like this too since we've started solids. I'm not sure if you're giving your DD formula or breast milk, but sometimes, I'll switch out DD's usual formula for some of the breast milk I have frozen and that seems to work well as a stool softner.

You might also watch what solids you're giving your DD. I read somewhere that fruits that have a "p" in them can cause poop issues in little ones.

[twainny]

BUMP

My DS has had what I call "bunny poop" for over a week now. He is 8 months, and eats solids. The only new foods he has eaten are mango and peaches, neither of which would I think would create poop issues.

He has tiny poops like 5 times a day (at least). Usually the size of peanut m&ms, and maybe 4 or 5 at a time.

Is this normal for this length of time?

[RobynScott]

twainny - I don't know - that sounds like constipation to me if they are hard pellets.

My DS's poops actually sound exactly like what Risa described -right down to the straining. I was wondering if there are any more thoughts on whether that's 'normal'? He's BF and for the first time in the last few days has finally stopped pooping multiple times / day. I know that a slowdown is expected at some point, but I would have thought it would happen when he was EBF - now, he's getting solids 3x/day and didn't poop at all yesterday during daycare (a first for him).

I guess everything (unless it's hard or pellets) can be within the range of normal?

[bensgirl1222]

Twainny That sounds like constipation to me. I hope he gets better soon :)

Robyn Speaking from personal experience...my DS used to poop after everytime he nursed for the first few months. Then as we started introducing solids hi started pooping less and less. He went 3 days without pooping one time so I called the ped and she told me to give him a supository (BabyLax) if he hadnt pooped on the 4th day. Well, he didnt so I ended up giving him BabyLax (which worked wonders I might add!). But now, its been a constant thing where he only poops like every 3 days or so and after reading about it and talking to the ped, thats very normal for a BF baby with solids. Having said that, sometimes DS will poop 2 days in a row, or wtice in ne day or not for 3 days...either way, what your DS is doing sounds completely normal. Now, if he starts showing signs of discomfort and its been a few days then call your ped and they will probably tell you about the supositories. They are completely safe and work within minutes!

[twainny]

I don't think it is constipation, cause he is still BFed. I have read on multiple sites that BFed babies don't get constipated. He doesn't strain more than normal to poop, so at least that isn't an issue. Maybe I will call the Dr. at the beginning of the week.

[RobynScott]

I don't think it is constipation, cause he is still BFed. I have read on multiple sites that BFed babies don't get constipated. He doesn't strain more than normal to poop, so at least that isn't an issue. Maybe I will call the Dr. at the beginning of the week.

I thought that was when babies are exclusively BF? I was thinking it could be constipation now b/c of the addition of solids. (whereas, when they are younger, FF babies may get constipated but not BF babies)

I think constipation (esp. in BF babies) has more to do w/ consistency rather than frequency.

Let us know what the doc says if you wind up calling - hope the little guy feels ok!

[emschwar]

I don't think it is constipation, cause he is still BFed. I have read on multiple sites that BFed babies don't get constipated. He doesn't strain more than normal to poop, so at least that isn't an issue. Maybe I will call the Dr. at the beginning of the week.

Once you add solids, BFed babies definitely can get constipated. What you're describing sounds like constipation to me. Cut out binding foods (rice, apples, bananas, carrots) and add more "p" foods and oatmeal. A little prune juice helps too. You can also do dark karo syrup in water if it's really bad. (We've been battling constipation for a month now, on and off.)

[twainny]

Bump again!

So, I guess my kid has a lot of poop problems! LOL...

For the past two weeks, he has had off-white/cream colored poop. He will be 1 in 3 weeks, and he is drinking whole milk. The doctor I saw today said that the milk is making his poop turn white. I really can't believe this. I don't trust my ped. so I was wondering if anyone else has had this issue. (please don't tell me to switch peds, cause I can't, since I don't live in the US). I am thinking of calling our US ped. from last year... I am sure even the nurses there are more knowledgeable than this ped!

Please give me your thoughts!

[Marisa]

It's possible that the white poop is from the whole milk, it sounds like he might be having a bad reaction. I'm assuming that you're weaning or have weaned from BFing? If so, you may need to have him on formula for a while to transition until he can better handle the cow's milk.

I fully support your getting a second opinion, though. IMO white (ish) poop is not something for a ped to blow off, since it could possibly signal a liver problem.

[twainny]

Thanks Marisa. Well, naturally, after 2 weeks of white-ish poop... and finally making a fuss over it and seeing the doc and all... well, last night he finally had a normal poop. Does that just figure! LOL At least I know he isn't sick (liver problem).

[mcgwigan]

Bumping this up...

My DS is 7 months and is getting solids twice a day for the most part. He has been straining a lot to poop like some of the pp in this thread talk about. His poop is kind of like clay-so I don't think he's constipated, but he'll literally spend the whole morning straining until he goes. This morning I saw his "poop face" and gave him about 10 minutes-he strained on & off-face turns beat red & the whole bit. When I thought he was done, I went to change him & nothing! This is the 3rd day in the past week that this has happened. He does eventually go-starts out like clay then is softer at the end.

Is this normal? I've been giving him prunes or pears just about everyday & trying to avoid the binding foods - carrots, bananas (will give but with prunes), apples. I read that sweet potatoes are binding-is this true? I didn't know about that one.

Anyway, I'm just wondering if that's normal, or if he might have an issue of some sort. Will this end? Oh & he's on all formula now-I did find a small stash of BM in the chest freezer over the weekend that I overlooked, so will start giving that to him before bed-it won't last more than 10 days I don't think though!

[Angie]

What other fruits/veggies/grains have you been feeding him? I know this is boring, but can you eliminate almost everything for a couple of days and start re-introducing slowly to see what might be causing it. It's not unusual for babies to strain and have less liquid poop when they eat a lot of solids, but something might really be affecting him if he's straining that much. I know my DD was having that same problem with butternut squash.

I can't say whether or not it will end because I've started feeding my DD butternut squash is very very small quantities. Sorry...not a whole lot of help there!

Also, have you started giving him a sippy cup with water? He might need some more liquids since I think too much fiber with not enough water could cause issues.

Sorry I couldn't be more help, I hope he feels better soon!

[mcgwigan]

Basically I've just been giving him oatmeal 2 xs/day and then mix in either prunes or pears. I've also been giving him green beans -that's about the diet for the week. I've been kind of avoiding/limiting banana-although I did give him a little last night after his oatmeal with pears. I think the last time i gave him sweet potatoes was the middle of last week & I've been out of squash for a few weeks now. I have also been giving him those Gerber puffs...I wonder if they would do that to him.
I haven't given water yet, because I wasn't sure he needed it. How much am I supposed to give at a time-an ounce?

[Angie]

Hmm...none of that really sounds like it should cause problems. I have a feeling his digestive system is adjusting. As far as the water, if he's anything like my DD, he won't drink much. I just put it in a sippy cup for her and while she's eating solids, I offer it every few bites (she hasn't figured out how to pick it up and drink it herself). It took her about a week to get the hang of drinking out of it, but now she never drinks more than 1 ounce at each meal (I fill it up completely so I don't have to tilt it as much, but that's all she wants). According to her pediatrician, she shouldn't drink more than about 4 ounces per day.

[mcgwigan]

It's just weird to me. We started cereal at 4 1/2 months, I didn't really start giving it to him on a regular basis until about 5 1/2 months. The only thing is that he has just started getting solids twice a day on a regular basis starting about 2 weeks ago-only because I make more of an effort to get them in in the morning now, or have the daycare provider give it to him if I run out of time in the morning.

So far, he has not "gotten" the sippy cup. I may pick up one of the avent magic trainer cups to see if that will work since I have Avent nipples & I think they will fit the cups. So maybe that will work for the water. Maybe I'll just put in a call to the pediatricians just to make sure I'm not over looking an issue.

[Angie]

It's just weird to me. We started cereal at 4 1/2 months, I didn't really start giving it to him on a regular basis until about 5 1/2 months. The only thing is that he has just started getting solids twice a day on a regular basis starting about 2 weeks ago-only because I make more of an effort to get them in in the morning now, or have the daycare provider give it to him if I run out of time in the morning.

So far, he has not "gotten" the sippy cup. I may pick up one of the avent magic trainer cups to see if that will work since I have Avent nipples & I think they will fit the cups. So maybe that will work for the water. Maybe I'll just put in a call to the pediatricians just to make sure I'm not over looking an issue.

I think calling the ped might be a good idea. I would also try to give him some water even if it's from a bottle. I just Googled it to make sure I wasn't crazy and increasing fiber without increasing water can cause constipation. Your DS is probably not constipated, but maybe since you increased his intake of cereal without increasing his liquids (water, formula, BM, juice) it's having a binding effect. My DD has done real well with apple prune juice (2 ounces water, 1 ounce apple juice, 1 ounce prune juice). I used to give her that from a bottle. It takes a few days, but it really helped soften things up. I don't give it to her anymore since she's doing okay with the water from the sippy, but it could be worth a try.

[mcgwigan]

Thanks, Angie! He has actually decreased the amount of formula he's been drinking and fights the bottle quite a bit-teething related I'm sure because he's gotten 5 teeth in 1 month. I'll have to try some juice-I was going to wait for 1 year, but have other reasons too for going ahead with juice now. I think I'll try yet another sippy cup to see if he'll do any better with that.

[isign]

We did water with food, since I EBF. He's still a big water drinker, and eats everything in sight. We do have the poop face at times accompanied by leg shaking and leaning on things at times. He's never had a constipation issue, that's just him.