Hoping for some insight from other moms who may have had this problem.

I just recently weaned from breastfeeding my 21 month old (first successful long time nurser so this is new territory). Anyway once a very, very loose bowel movement child is now tight. And it is causing me concern as now she is crying during and just making small though not dry, small BM's throughout the day. I have tried all the logical things I think increasing veggies, and pushing juices but haven't had success with a juice she likes. Cutting out cheeses and such.

Has this happened to anyone who has weaned?? I ache when she cries in pain knowing I am slightly to blame because I weaned her. How can I help her? Do their systems adventually straighten out? Is it her system just getting use to not drinking my milk because she was a very frequent nurser? Help please

yeah I'd say she's going through an adjustment period
offer a bit of juice, diluted of course White grape is the most gentle on tummies, especially important if she's not used to drinking much juice Do a ratio of 1:2 (juice:water) Offer that 2-3x a day. Avoid milk/cheese products and bananas. That should help.

Also, she's not yet using a potty is she? She might want to try going on the big pot though. It helps open things up. It's worked well for a couple of mine when they were struggling.

Prunes or prune juice would help too. But I'd try the lighter/gentler juices first...white grape first preference, then apple ;)

HTH

Thanks Tara, I have been tempted to try the potty she sure does love to sit on it that's for sure, maybe with these belly aches its worth a try. I tried apple juice already and some cran but she doesn't like either so still trying different types, grape sounds good.

There are no concerning signs of blood or anything but she is in pain. Hoping this will pass quickly.

Thanks again

I second the prunes idea.. works great!

I reccomend some kefir...it's a fermented milk product...but it's not binding like milk can be. My DD started spacing her BMs when she was very very little, and even though she breastfed only, she wouldn't go much and had a hard time going. When she was about 9 months old, it got so bad that I had to give her a glycerin enema once a week so that she would at least go...she wouldn't unless I did that. Well, we tried kefir, and she has been very regular since. We have our own kefir grains now, and we ferment our own, but we have found some store kefir in the natural section of a few grocery stores, and I am sure a health food store would have it. For little ones, a little bit of kefir goes a long way! The reason it works so well is that it balances the flora in your gut....
No I am not a spokesperson for kefir...LOL, and I know it sounds a bit weird, but it's so awesome!! Dh always jokes/complains that he always goes like 4 times after he drinks some...and it's not a diahrrea causing thing either.... :wink:

I hope your little one's tummy gets to feeling better...it is dreadful to have hard painful BMs!

Amber

Thanks again ladies.

Amber is kefir recommended even if her stools are not hard but just thicker and harder to pass than she must have been use to, they are not hard. She is just very, very uncomfortable. Does kefir help with that description too?

I appreciate all the suggestions because she just seems so uncomfortable still and won't let me get near her when she gets a belly ache, she just yells "no mommy ouch!" and pushes me away.

Awww Renee, I'm sorry she is having such a hard time. Kefir is good even for people who are regular. Our guts get so out of whack from the foods we eat today...but yes, I think it would help her...and if by some weird quirk it doesn't it is only beneficial for her, so really only good could come out of it. The good thing about kefir too is that your body can absorb more nutrients after you get your gut into "shape"...I could NEVER take Tylenol 3, it never did anything for me..might as well have taken water, and after taking kefir (well, we make kefir smoothies...oh yum!) I was prescribed Tylenol 3 for a back injury, and only one made me super doped up......LOL, so yeah, it's really heals!
If you look online, the best kefir site is Dom's kefir insite......I totally recommend it.
I have to say that it took my midwife a looooooooooooong time to get me to take kefir, so now that I finally did it, and know how awesome it is, I just can't say enough about how well it works, so please forgive my "kefir passion!" LOL!
Keep us posted on how she does! I will say prayers for her!

Amber

Seems like mine all went through that stage. If nothing else works you can give her Children's Senekot every day in a cup of chocolate milk for a month. That's what finally broke mine of the constipation. They would get constipated then it hurt so much to go they held it in, then of course they became more constipated, and it hurt more... a vicious cycle.
Lots of good ideas, I'd definitely try the food changes first, and I would not wait too long to try senekot (make sure you get the ped. kind). You don't want her to be in pain.

HUGS and good luck!

Thanks Rachel! Its nice to hear from another mom who has had the same experience. I was beginning to think milk allergy even I just don't know. Haven't had any luck finding kefir but have seen the senekot junior, picking that up today when I go to the store.

Rachel how long did you need to keep them on the senekot? Just for a short time or was it a long stretch?

Thanks again

a month.

then I stopped and if they were fine, we went on. if they started getting constipated again, I did it for about 3 days to get their system going again. At least it's chocolate flavored. :lol:

we were diligent about tracking when they had bm's so we never let it get too bad.

Hi Renee!
My son Jacob was that way...he always had difficult BM's. Of course you know to stick to all the "P" foods...Peas/pears/peaches...those really work.

We also did prune juice and surprisingly BOTH my kids like that. Dried fruit is also a good move the bowels kind of food. We have to be very careful in giving either of our kids bananas or cheese..things that bind them.

I know it is hard to see them in pain. be sure she is drinking lots of water..or really whatever you can get her to drink. That really helps.
It is not your fault..this is a normal transition in her life. You just need to help her through it.

When Ash was little and had a few problems, they asked me if he was nursed or formula fed and I told them both. They told me that breast milk is a natural laxative and when babies go to other drinks like milk or especially formula that it can bind them up.

They always told us to buy Gerber apple/prune jucice (its a blend) and give it 50/50 with water.

That always helps Ash and doesn't seem to be too rough. They also said if that is not available to use the pear juice.

Thanks Tracey, you made me smile when you simply wrote it wasn't my fault and a normal transition. Gosh mommy guilt is an awful thing. Always questioning myself like so many, maybe all moms out there do.

And Beth, I didn't know that about breastmilk. You helped shed a lot of light on things.

I see an improvement, thank goodness. Juices helped, I am pumping her full of them now. Change in diet a little and I have senekot on hand if need be. Thankful it seems I don't need it now. She is happier, and doesn't cry in pain the past day or two.

Thank you moms soooo much. You are all so wonderful I appreciate all the time it takes to respond to my posts.

I'm glad she's doing better. It's hard to see your little ones in pain.