An incredible amount of time, effort and energy is spent by most new parents (including the always-eager-to-help grandmoms) on analyzing the baby poops.
You need not feel embarrassed about this, because, after all, the poop is perhaps the most important indicator of his state of health.
Any abnormality in this area must never be ignored as it could be the first warning sign we would get from someone who only has his appetite, sleep and of course poops to show the world how he is doing!
How often should a baby poop?
According to medical director Kenneth Wible of the Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City, Mo, it all depends on the type of diet the infant has.
For example, breast-fed babies could have larger quantity but the quality is thinner than babies who are bottle-fed.
Babies can make anywhere from one to ten dirty diapers a day for the first two months or so. This is often reduced to two to four times a day until they are around 4 months old. Young babies often pass a little after every feed due to their immature gastrocolic reflex.
While it is more likely for breastfed babies to pass stool more often than formula babies, it can also be normal for a breastfed baby to have one bowel movement a week. This is because as babies grow, their intestines are able to absorb more milk.
Formula fed babies tend to poop less frequently because stool moves through their digestive tract slower with formula. They may go once or twice a day, or even only once every one or two day for the first few months.
It’s important to remember that every baby is different, and that you most likely do not have anything to worry about if your baby is feeding, sleeping and gaining weight normally.
What consistency should baby poop be?
Since most babies are fed exclusively on milk for about 6 months after birth, the stool is usually soft and squishy. Nonetheless, you may find you baby passing stool that is thick as peanut butter at times while at other times, like yogurt or mustard.
Formula-fed babies will often pass stool that is pudding-like. However, overly runny stool could indicate diarrhea while very hard or pebbly like poop may point to constipation.
Baby poop colors
The colour of baby poops simply signifies the time it takes for the baby to digest the food he is having.
According to California pediatric gastroenterologist Barry Steinmetz of at Miller Children’s Hospital, yellow coloured poops signifies rapid transit time through the baby’s digestive system.
But when the transit time reduces, the poop color could change to green. When the speed slows down even more, the stool may appear brown.
Here’s the lowdown of baby poop colors:
- Black: Black or dark green baby poop normal for the first few days of your baby’s life. It is also known as meconium.
- Mustard yellow: This is normal for breastfed babies.
- Bright yellow: This is normal for breastfed babies, but could be a sign of diarrhea if it is very runny.
- Orange: This is normal for babies who are breastfed and formula fed.
- Green-brown/yellow-brown/tan: This is normal for babies who are fed both breast milk and formula.
- Dark green: This is normal for babies who have started eating green colored solids, or are on iron supplements.
- Red: Red stools can form the introduction of red color solids. However, it could also indicate that something is wrong. If you have given your baby any red foods, observe if their stool color returns to normal for their next poop. Call your baby’s doctor if you have not given your baby any red foods or if their stool does not return to normal.
- White: While this is uncommon, white stools could indicate a problem with the liver or the gallbladder. Call your pediatrician immediately.
- Gray/chalky: This can be an indication of digestive issues. Call your pediatrician immediately.
- Black/blackish green: This is not normal after the meconium period. Black stool could be a sign of bleeding in the digestive tract. Call your pediatrician immediately.
When should you worry about baby poop?
It’s perfectly normal for babies to poop a few times a day, or even only once every two to three days. As long as your baby is not constipated, chances are there is nothing much to worry about. However, call your doctor if
- Your baby’s stools are hard, or very thick
- Your baby’s stools are thin and/or watery
- You observe mucus in the stools
- Your breastfed baby has gone without doing a poop for three or more days
- Your formula fed baby has gone without doing a poop for five or more days
- You observe that the stool is red or black
- You observe that the stool is clay colored or white
How to help baby poop?
It can be worrisome when your baby is constipated and has hard, dry stool that is difficult to pass. Surprisingly, frequent loose stools can also point to constipation. Here are a few things that you can do to help your baby:
- Ensure that your baby’s formula is being made correctly so that it contains enough water. Follow the instructions on the pack.
- If you are breastfeeding, you may have to feed your baby more.
- If your baby is on solids:
- Offer more water in between meals. Diluted fruit juice (prune juice) may also help.
- Offer you baby cut fruit and vegetables.
- Add water to your baby’s food.
- Try stimulating your baby’s bowels by moving your baby’s legs in a cycling motion
- Massage your baby’s tummy.
- Give your baby a warm bath to help relax the muscles.
Takeaway
– Not missed stools but formed poop which appear like small pellets are first signs of constipation.
– Runny poop could indicate diarrhea. It is recommended that you seek doctors’ advice immediately as it could indicate something more serious, like virus infection etc.
– Colours that demand immediate doctor intervention are red and black, white and gray.
– When the poop is like mucus, it could mean a viral infection. The baby usually has diarrhea, fever and is irritable. Call your doctor immediately.
– Switching to solid foods could mean change in consistency, frequency and color of the stool. There is nothing to worry about.
– ‘Normal’ stool depends on the age and diet (breast, formula-fed or solids) of your baby.
For more fascinating insights on baby poop, check out ‘How smart will your baby be? Science says their poop has the answer!’
This article is written by Indira Mukherjee
Sources:
Your baby’s poo: what’s normal and what’s not