How can I help her?
@camomom (7535)
United States
October 21, 2008 11:42am CST
I have a 3 month old that has started eating rice cereal. We were told by her doctor to start her on it at 3 months instead of 4 months to help her sleep at night. We only give her one tablespoon in a six ounce bottle at bedtime. the past couple days she has been constipated. She's going potty but only a little at a time and she's struggling with it. Does anyone know what to do to help her? I'm pretty sure she's too young for laxatives. Does anyone know of any home remedies for a three month old that are safe?
3 people like this
12 responses
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
21 Oct 08
I would cut back on the cereal, as this is a sign that her body isn't ready to handle it just yet. Doctors aren't always right.
1 person likes this
@camomom (7535)
• United States
21 Oct 08
That's what I was thinking also. I just thought maybe there was something else I could do. Thanks.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
21 Oct 08
Not that I've found. My twins had a problem when I put them on formula, and I had to switch formulas because of it, but I've never once been told of any sort of medicine you can give a baby that age, I think it's too dangerous. Just cut back on the cereal and see how that goes.
My 9 month old still isn't sleeping through the night, and he's on solids and finger foods now.. so rice cereal isn't always a fix for that.
@Lilchele36 (139)
• United States
21 Oct 08
i don't have any kids but i helped raise my nephew he is 17 months now. but we did not start him on rice ceareal until he was about 6 months. personnally i think maybe she is allergic to something is the cereal or something in the cereal is causing her to constipate. for my nephew, a certaiin kind of milk would curdle on his stomach causing him to have nasea or have a slimy diaper. i would check it up with her physician.
1 person likes this
@camomom (7535)
• United States
21 Oct 08
I don't think she's allergic. The doctor said it may constipate her.
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
21 Oct 08
I would call the doctor. Maybe it is the rice cereal and she should be eating oatmeal instead. 3 months is very young to start on cereal, but if the doctor oked it, then it should be fine.
When my son was little they would tell us to take his temp and it would help him go. I hated doing it, but it did help.
@camomom (7535)
• United States
21 Oct 08
I never would have thought of that, I'd rather not do it though. I think I'll reduce the cereal amount first then we'll see. Thanks.
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
22 Oct 08
I didnt' like doing it either. i would just maybe try giving more formula and cutting out the cereal. If you are nursing, maybe a bottle will fill up your baby a little bit better.
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
27 Oct 08
Instead of redoing their good work, Try this my friend...
http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/constip.htm
@ndaniel229 (419)
• United States
22 Oct 08
My daughter had the same issues and gas issues as well. Her doctor told me to give her half water and half prune juice. Also there are suppositories just for babies. Those helped alot! Another remedy could be a low iron formula - but I'd consult your doctor with that.
@camomom (7535)
• United States
22 Oct 08
Can they have prune juice at 3 months? I was trying to avoid the suppositories but I may have to go that route. We cut down on the amount of cereal lastnight so I'm gonna give it one more day. She is going to the bathroom she's just been straining and it hurts her bottom. I'll have to get some prune juice as well. Thank you.
@ndaniel229 (419)
• United States
22 Oct 08
My daughter was consipated before she was 3 months and I was skeptical on giving her prune juice too. But the peditrican told me one ounce water, one ounce prune juice - and that seemed to do the trick. Aww I feel bad - It's so hard to see your little one in pain - but I"m sure the cereal has alot to do with it. I hope he feels better!
@camomom (7535)
• United States
30 Oct 08
We tried the prune juice and cutting the amount of cereal in half, she's doing alot better. Not 100% but better. Thanks.
@Millie872 (42)
•
22 Oct 08
Seems like she may not be getting enough water. Do you offer water at the meals where you feed her rice?
@Countrymom (371)
• United States
21 Oct 08
Most doctors do not advise rice cereal at 3 months of age. I was advised nothing solid til 1 year of age with my kids (and I have 5 ages 27 to 6). I would cut back on the rice cereal (1/2 the amount in same sized bottle) and see if that helps.
@camomom (7535)
• United States
21 Oct 08
Wow, that's kind of old to start solids. I started my first daughter at 3 months also and she was fine. My friend has a preemie and he started at 2 months. Anyhow, I think that's what I'll probably do, is cut the amount in half. Thanks.
@RhythmWalker1 (825)
• United States
22 Oct 08
I'd suggest mixing the cereal with formula and feeding it to her
with a spoon around 6 in the evening.
(Don't make it too thick for her to swallow)
Half and half baby apple juice is the safest way to help
her with her constipation problem.
But ask her doctor if it's okay for juice.
@camomom (7535)
• United States
22 Oct 08
She isn't ready for a spoon yet but I like the apple juice idea. I'll have to try it or prune juice. I'll also try feeding her earlier, we feed her her cereal around 7 or 8 now. Thanks.
@camomom (7535)
• United States
22 Oct 08
I'm trying it tonight. We cut back on the amount of cereal down to 1/2 tablespoon instead of 1 tablespoon lastnight. It helped but only in the way that she can go more at one time but it still hurts her and she's still straining to go.
@ProudMommy22 (705)
• United States
22 Oct 08
Actually if you take her to the doctor and let them know she cant use the bathroom thats shes constipated they should give her something to help with that. I myself had that problem with my youngest son thats now 10 months ols but they gave me some meds thats kinda like Kero syrup and it actually does work. I would say try kero syrup to see if that helps but my doctor actually told me that giving it to a baby a lot can actually harm the child but i dont know how true that is because ive also gave mine kero syrup and never had any problems. But id take her to the doctor and see if they can give her something for it.
@Lee_Rites (845)
• United States
22 Oct 08
My son had a problem with constipation when he was a baby.
I mixed a little apple juice with water and fed it to him. This actually helped a lot. You could also try putting just a touch of apple juice in the babies cereal.
@ananthanainar (58)
• India
22 Oct 08
mam, it is mother milk is the only food which will give the immunisation to the kids. But now a days many of the doctors not prefering and many of the moms are not liking that. But, it is not health and wealth for kid and mom also
