Although
it's rare for a baby on an all-liquid diet to experience constipation,
it can happen. Exclusively formula-fed babies are much more likely to
have trouble from constipation, Dr. Morton says. Formula can firm up
poop much more than breast milk can, Dr. Shu adds. If your baby has a
milk-protein allergy or intolerance, she could end up constipated. A
milk-based formula could cause this, as well as the dairy in mom's diet
that's passed through the breast milk. This also carries over to any
other kinds of dairy an older baby could consume, such as yogurt and
cheese.
When a baby is around 6 months, pediatricians often give parents the green light to offer an array of baby food.
What your baby eats will largely determine the kind of poop you can
expect, Dr. Shu says. And many different foods could contribute to
constipation. Start by considering your ABCs -- applesauce, bananas, and
cereal, Dr. Morton says. Too much of any of these, especially rice
cereal, can get you into trouble. When you start introducing table
foods, it might be even harder to pinpoint the constipation culprit.
