What do I do if my 5 month old has started solids and gets constipated?

What the evidence says

Constipation, meaning hard or infrequent poops that are hard to pass, is very common when babies start eating solid food. Their gut is learning to digest something new, and that can slow things down for a little while.

The Canadian Paediatric Society explains that a low fibre diet without enough whole grains, fruit, and vegetables is a common cause of constipation in children. Offering fibre-rich foods like pureed prunes, pears, peaches, apricots, peas, or beans twice a day can help. Cutting back a little on binding foods like rice cereal, bananas, or too much dairy can also help.

Make sure your baby is getting enough fluids too. If you are still breastfeeding, keep offering breastmilk. If your baby is formula-fed, extra water between feeds can help once they're on solids. Gentle tummy massage or moving your baby's legs like they're pedaling a bicycle can also get things moving.

Canadian and American advice differ slightly on juice. The American Academy of Pediatrics generally advises against fruit juice before age one, but says a small amount of prune, pear, or apple juice can be used specifically to treat constipation once your baby is a few months old, since natural sugars in these juices pull water into the gut and soften stool. If you try this, ask your doctor about the right amount for your baby's age.

See your doctor if you notice blood in the diaper, your baby seems to be in a lot of pain, the constipation lasts more than a week or two despite diet changes, or your baby seems unusually tired or unwell. Never give a laxative or suppository to a baby without your doctor's advice first.