As a new parent, it is normal to wonder about your baby’s stool: “Are his bowel movements OK? Should I be concerned that his poop is green in color?”
To answer these and other questions you might have, here is a guide that explains what’s okay and what to worry about when it comes to a baby’s bowel movements.
What can you read in this article?
- The first few days of your newborn bowel movement
- Breastfed stools vs. formula-fed stools
- Changes in your baby’s poop
- Color-by-color guide for babies’ poop
- Common problems related to baby’s bowel movement
Considering the color, frequency of the bowel movement, and consistency of the amount of the stool, babies’ poop can sometimes cause stress and anxiety for parents.
Keeping note of the number of poops and color during the first few days and weeks of life is vital because it helps your physician understand how your baby is eating and growing. We know a baby is eating and growing normally if they are pooping on a regular basis.
Get to know more about babies’ poop so you could tell what’s normal and what’s not.
The first few days of your newborn bowel movement
In the first few days after delivery, your baby will pass a sticky, greenish-black tar-like substance called meconium. It is pretty difficult to wipe off and can seem a little scary to new parents, but it’s really nothing to worry about.
Passing meconium shows that your baby’s excretory system is working normally. Colostrum, a natural laxative found in breast milk, would help your baby’s body to excrete meconium. Once all the meconium is out of your baby’s system, his stools will change in color and texture.
In a 2012 study, Trusted Source looked at the frequency of stool in 600 neonates under the age of three months. Breastfed newborns in the research pooped an average of 3.65 times per day in their first weeks of life.
The average frequency was 1.88 times per day after three months. At each developmental stage, formula-fed babies poop less frequently.
The frequency of a baby’s bowel movement will change from time to time, but usually, a newborn will have at least one or two bowel movements a day in his first month.
However, this is not applicable to all infants. Breastfed babies could have poop almost every feeding time. On the other hand, expect fewer bowel movements from formula-fed babies. And yes, both conditions are normal.
Breastfed stools vs. Formula-fed stools
Breastfed stools
Normally, breastfed babies have stools that are soft, loose, and light mustard in color with very tiny seed-like pieces. This is because breastmilk is very easy to digest and contains all the nutrients necessary for a baby’s growth.
Due to the ease of digestibility of breastmilk, there is also very little solid waste. The odor of the stool should also be mild and not very unpleasant.
Formula-fed stools
Babies who are fed formula generally have stools that are a little more firm than breast-fed babies. Stool color can vary from yellow to green to brown — all of which are considered normal.
In the first 2 months of life, formula-fed babies often have less frequent stools than breast-fed ones — usually, it is about 4 to 5 bowel movements a day.
Formula-fed babies also have thicker and bulkier stools than breast-fed babies. It is believed that the type of fat blend in formula milk influences stool consistency.
Changes in your baby’s poop
For the first few months of life, your newborn’s stool is an important window into their health. During this time, you may notice several changes in their stool. This is a typical and healthy sign of development and growth. And as your little one grows, you will notice that his poop also evolves.
Changes in feces volume, consistency, and color might occur when you convert from breastfeeding to formula or change the type of formula you give your infant.
You may notice little fragments of food in your baby’s stool as they begin to eat solid foods. The number of times your infant poops per day may fluctuate as a result of these dietary changes.
If you are concerned about a change in your baby’s stools, always consult with his or her pediatrician.
Image from Shutterstock
READ MORE:
5 bagay na dapat paghandaan sa first check-up ni baby sa pediatrician
Bowel movement of a newborn: Color-by-color guide for babies’ poop
You may have seen various colors of babies’ poop, and sometimes encountering particular colors may shock you. Stools come in a variety of colors and textures, all of which could be entirely normal for your little one.
Another reason to keep an eye on a baby’s feces is to make sure they’re in good health. A stool with an odd color or consistency could suggest a health problem.
Dr. Helene Felman, a pediatrician in Tucson, Arizona stated that green, orange, yellow, brown, and everything in between are typical for babies.
“Brown and orange are more typical for formula-fed babies but can occur in breastfed babies as well. The colors of stool for a breastfed baby can also change based on their mother’s diet. But if you see red, black, or white stools, call your baby’s doctor right away,” she added.
- Black stool: It could indicate the presence of older blood in the feces.
- White stool: It could be a symptom that your baby’s liver isn’t functioning properly.
- Red stool: It could be a sign of bleeding in many cases. It could be the result of a milk allergy or anal fissures and appear stringy or mucous-like.
If you notice an unusual color of poop, it can be a sign that your baby has a problem
Common problems related to newborn bowel movement
Diarrhea
A baby is said to have diarrhea when he or she has frequent unformed, watery stools. This could be a symptom of a bacteria or virus inside your baby’s body.
Diarrhea is commonly accompanied by dehydration. If the diarrhea continues for more than a few days or your baby is also vomiting, contact your doctor immediately for advice.
Also, while there are many reasons why a child may get diarrhea, do note that bottle hygiene is very important. Milk bottles need to be sterilized either by boiling, steaming, or with the use of sterilizing tablets.
Constipation
For babies between 0 to 3 months, constipation is rare, even if your baby is formula-fed. Some babies may make grunting noises and/or strain every time they have a bowel movement, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they are constipated.
However, if your baby cries or looks uncomfortable, it may be best to consult your doctor.
Ultimately though, do not be too concerned about the color or frequency of your baby’s bowel movements — as long as your baby looks well and does not show any signs of illness, there is most probably nothing to worry about.
Image from Shutterstock
When to consult a pediatrician?
Get medical help when:
- Your baby starts to vomit.
- Your baby’s stool appears white or gray, black, maroon or very bloody.
- Your baby poops more frequently than usual.
- Your baby’s stool has mucus or water in it.
- Your baby’s stool is hard or he’s having a hard time defecating.
Keeping an eye on your baby’s bowel movement can help you checkl on their nutrition and overall health. Ultimately though, do not be too concerned about the color or frequency of your baby’s bowel movements — as long as your baby looks well and does not show any signs of illness, there is most probably nothing to worry about.
Here at theAsianparent Philippines, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advise or medical treatment. TheAsianparent Philippines is not responsible to those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend to consult your doctor for clearer information.