My baby is 7 and a half months old and is constipated, she makes big hard poops and it hurts her a lot. What should I do?

Hello Ma'am,

Let's first try to fix the problem without using a laxative.

So, if your baby is breastfeeding, increase the frequency of feedings to aim for at least one feed every 3 hours. If he's started eating, give him more fluids (but not too much cow's milk, since that's linked to a risk of constipation) and focus on fiber-rich foods (prunes, oat and barley cereals, sweet potatoes). You can also give water in small amounts during meals.

In all cases, it is also suggested to stimulate the baby's belly with massages (clockwise) and by lying him on his back to make him "cycle" with his legs.

If all these tricks do not bring the desired effect in 2 or 3 days, then you can try a laxative while waiting for an appointment with the doctor. We now know that PEG laxatives (e.g. Relaxa®, Lax-A-Day®) can be used for several months without risk in children. However, it should only be used over a long period of time if recommended by a doctor to avoid hiding a more serious problem in the child.