The Poop Diaries: Newborns And Their Many Deposits

Newborns go through at least 3,000 diapers in their first year, so it's no surprise that parents want to know what's normal when it comes to their baby's poop. The frequency of a newborn's bowel movements depends on various factors, including their age, feeding method, and unique digestive system. In the first few weeks of life, a newborn's poop frequency can range from several times a day to once a week. Breastfed newborns tend to have more frequent bowel movements, with some pooping after every feeding, while formula-fed newborns may go a little longer between bowel movements. As newborns get older, the frequency of their bowel movements typically decreases, with some babies pooping only once a day or even once a week. While the number of bowel movements may vary, it's important for parents to monitor their newborn's poop as it can provide valuable insights into their health and well-being.

Newborns pass meconium, a black, sticky, tar-like substance, in the first few days after birth

Meconium is a one-time occurrence, and after it has passed, you will start to see transitional stools. These> are typically dark, greenish-yellow, and loose, and they may contain mucus or traces of blood. These transitional stools can last for around three to four days. During this time, the baby's intestines are shedding the coating that protected them during development, and this shedding can cause the mucus or blood in the stools.

After the transitional phase, a newborn's stool will change colour and consistency based on their diet. Breastfed babies often have mustard-coloured bowels with a seedy texture, while formula-fed babies tend to have softer stools in shades of pale yellow to yellowish-brown.

It is important to monitor a newborn's bowel movements, as they can indicate the baby's overall health and nutrition intake. While the frequency of stool can vary, with some newborns passing stool every time they eat and others only every few days, it is generally expected that they will poop at least once a day during the first few weeks. If a newborn goes more than three days without pooping, it is recommended to contact a pediatrician.

Breastfed newborns typically have several bowel movements each day

Breastfed newborns and their bowel movements

Breastfed baby poop is typically runny and loose, and can be yellow, green or brown in colour. It may also be seedy in texture and have a sweet scent.

In the first few weeks of life, a breastfed newborn may poop after almost every feed, which could be up to 12 times per day. After a few weeks, this will slow down to three or four times per day. By six weeks, a breastfed baby may poop even less often, perhaps even once a week.

What to look out for

If your breastfed baby is not pooping, it may be a sign that they are not getting enough milk. Consult a lactation consultant or your doctor, who may check your latch and position.

You should also consult your doctor if you notice any of the following:

• Your baby is struggling to gain weight
• They're not feeding well
• They have infrequent or hardsection: stools (this could be a sign of constipation)
• Their stool is watery or diarrhoea-like, especially for an extended time
• Their stool is black or dark red, which could signal illness or gastrointestinal injury
• Their stool is pale, white or grey, which could indicate a liver problem
• Your baby is pulling their legs up to their stomach, a sign their tummy hurts
• Your baby is straining to have a bowel movement
• Your baby's stool looks like small, hard pebbles

How to prevent diaper rash

Babies who have frequent bowel movements can be more susceptible to diaper rash. To prevent this, change their diapers more often, and wash their skin with warm water during each change. You can also apply a diaper rash cream or a product containing zinc oxide or petroleum jelly to create a barrier.

Formula-fed newborns may have fewer bowel movements than breastfed newborns

Newborns often have several little poops in a row, and they tend to poop more than older babies. They'll likely poop at least once or twice a day in the first few days and may poop many more times a day by the end of the first week. Some newborns poop after each feeding during their first month.

After the first month, a baby's pooping habits may change. They may have several bowel movements a day, or they may go several days between bowel movements. Most commonly, though, they'll have at least one bowel movement each day (often two to three), with an occasional day or two between poops.

Breastfed infants tend to poop more frequently than formula-fed infants. Formula-fed babies typically poop three to four times a day, but some go as long as three or four days without a bowel movement.

Breast milk is easily digested, so breastfed babies have fewer bouts of constipation. Formula-fed babies' poop is browner and firmer than that of breastfed babies. It is similar to peanut butter in consistency and has a stronger smell.

If your baby hasn't pooped in four days, you should call your doctor. This could be a sign of constipation. However, frequency isn't always a tell-tale sign, and you should also look for other signs of constipation, such as hard, pebble-like stools or straining for more than ten minutes.

The colour of a baby's poop can vary depending on their diet and age. Almost all infants' first poops will be thick, black, and tarry. These stools are called meconium and are completely normal. When a baby starts breastfeeding or drinking formula, their poop will turn green or yellow and have a more liquid consistency. As they start eating solids, their poop will become thicker and smellier, and may become darker or lighter depending on what they're eating.

White, pale, or chalky poop could indicate a liver or gallbladder problem. Red poop is usually caused by red food or medicine, but if there is blood in the stool, it could signal allergies or bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Black poop after a baby's first few poops could be a sign of internal bleeding.

Newborns may pass stool after every meal

Newborns typically pass stool two to five times per day, usually after every meal. This frequency of bowel movements is often observed until the baby is around six weeks old, after which they tend to poop less often. However, it's important to note that the frequency of a newborn's bowel movements can vary, and some newborns may only poop every few days.

Breastfed infants tend to pass stool more frequently than formula-fed infants. This is because breast milk is easier for newborns to digest, resulting in more frequent bowel movements. Additionally, the texture of breastfed babies' stools tends to be softer and more liquid, sometimes described as "seedy" or "mushy."

The colour of a newborn's stool can also vary. In the first 24 hours of life, newborns pass a substance called meconium, which is typically thick, dark green, or brown. After this initial period, the stool colour transitions to yellow, with a softer consistency. As the baby grows older, the introduction of solid foods can lead to changes in stool colour and consistency once again.

While it is normal for newborns to pass stool after every meal, it is important for parents to monitor their baby's bowel movements. This includes tracking the frequency, colour, and consistency of the stool. Any sudden changes or unusual colours, such as white or red, may indicate an underlying health issue and should be discussed with a paediatrician.

In summary, newborns may pass stool after every meal, and this frequency is generally considered normal, especially in the first few weeks of life. However, it is always important to be vigilant about any changes in a newborn's bowel movements as they can provide valuable insights into the baby's overall health and nutrition.

Newborns' bowel movements can indicate their overall health

Newborns' Bowel Movements and Their Health

Frequency of Bowel Movements

Breastfed newborns typically have several bowel movements each day, whereas formula-fed newborns may have fewer. On average, breastfed newborns have at least one poopy diaper for every day of their life during the first five days. After this, the average breastfed newborn will have about five dirty diapers a day, though anywhere around several per day is normal.

Formula-fed babies typically poop three to four times a day, but some go as long as three or four days without a bowel movement. As long as their poops are soft and passed without a struggle, there is no need for concern.

Colour of Bowel Movements

The colour of newborn poop can change quite often, as can the texture and even the smell. The contents of a baby's diaper are clues to possible issues with their health, so it is good to pay attention and alert your doctor if you see anything out of the ordinary.

Healthy poop is typically light yellow, brown, or greenish. If red blood is present, or if the stool is white, black, or clay-coloured, this could be a warning sign, and you should call your doctor.

Consistency of Bowel Movements

Baby poop is softer and more liquid than older kids' stool. The following consistencies are normal for breastfed and formula-fed infants:

• Soft and somewhat runny
• Pasty (more common in formula-fed babies)

If a baby's poop strays too far from these textures, this could be a cause for concern.

Frequently asked questions