Newborn Not Peeing But Pooping: What Parents Should Know

If your newborn is pooping but not peeing, it could be a sign of dehydration, which is dangerous for young babies. It could also be a sign of a urinary tract problem, especially if the baby has not passed urine in the first 24 hours after birth. The amount of urine a newborn produces depends on the amount of fluid they drink. If you are breastfeeding, the peeing frequency will increase as the amount of milk the baby drinks increases. If your newborn is not peeing, it is important to contact your paediatrician.

Dehydration

Signs of dehydration in newborns:

• A sunken soft spot (fontanelle) on top of their head
• Few or no tears when crying
• Not having many wet nappies/diapers
• Drowsiness or irritability
• Dry mouth, lips, and tongue
• Dark yellow, orange, or pink urine

If you notice any of these signs, it is important to take action to rehydrate your baby and seek medical advice if necessary.

Treating dehydration:

• If your baby is formula-fed or on solid foods, offer small sips of water in addition to their regular feeds.
• Continue breastfeeding or using formula, but increase the frequency and offer smaller amounts more often.
• Oral rehydration solutions (such as Pedialyte or Enfalyte) can help replace lost fluids and electrolytes. These are available without a prescription and can be purchased at drugstores or supermarkets.
• For babies, give 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 milliliters) of oral rehydration solution every few minutes.
• Do not give plain water to babies instead of oral rehydration solution, as it does not contain the necessary nutrients.
• Avoid sports drinks, soda, or undiluted juice, as they contain too much sugar and can worsen symptoms.
• If your baby is refusing to feed or is vomiting repeatedly, seek medical advice.

Urinary tract problem

If your newborn is not peeing but is pooping, it could be a sign of a urinary tract problem. Not peeing within the first 24 hours after birth is often indicative of some urinary tract problem. In such cases, doctors can diagnose the condition early as the mother and baby are required to stay in the hospital for 24 to 48 hours post-delivery.

Signs to Look Out For:

• Fewer than four wet diapers in 24 hours
• Dark yellow, orange, pink, red, concentrated, smelly urine that is also less in quantity
• Actual red spots on the diaper
• Signs of dehydration: dryness of lips and tongue, sunken soft spot (or sunken fontanelle) on the baby's head, reduced number of wet diapers, sunken eyes, dry mouth, lack of tears when crying, and pale complexion

What to Do:

If you notice any of the above signs, contact your pediatrician or child's healthcare provider as soon as possible. They will be able to assess your child thoroughly and determine if the problem is due to a urinary tract infection or another abnormality. Do not delay seeking medical help, especially if you discover blood in your baby's urine.

Baby's diet

A newborn baby's diet will consist of either breast milk or formula milk. Breast milk is considered the perfect food for a baby's digestive system, as it has all the nutrients a newborn needs and is easily digested. Breast milk also contains antibodies that help protect babies from infections, including diarrhoea and ear and lung infections.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies are breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months of their lives. After this, babies should start on solid foods, but breastfeeding should continue for at least the first year of life, and beyond if desired or possible.

Breastfeeding isn't always possible or preferable for new mothers. It requires a big time commitment, as breastfed babies tend to eat more often than formula-fed babies. This means that in the first few weeks, a mother may be feeding her baby every 2-3 hours. This can be tiring, but it's not long before babies feed less often and sleep longer at night.

If a mother chooses not to breastfeed, or is unable to, formula milk is a nutritious alternative. Formula-fed babies may need fewer feedings than breastfed babies, as formula is digested more slowly. Bottle-feeding can also make it easier for other caregivers to feed the baby, and for the baby to be fed in public. However, it is more expensive than breastfeeding, and requires more organisation and preparation.

Whether a baby is breastfed or formula-fed, it is normal for them to poop and pee a varying number of times per day. A newborn baby should poop in the first 24 hours of life, and this first stool is called meconium. It is usually black and tar-like. After this, a baby's stool will usually be yellow, and may be seed-like in texture and very soft or almost liquid. Some newborns poop five times a day, while others will only poop every five days. If your newborn has fewer poops but is eating regularly and their stool is soft, this is normal. However, if they go more than a week without pooping, contact your pediatrician.

In terms of peeing, a good rule of thumb is that a newborn should produce at least as many wet diapers as they are days old, up to five days old. For example, on day 1, there should be at least 1 wet diaper, and on day 4, there should be at least 4 wet diapers. After this, a baby should be producing between 4 and 8 wet diapers a day.

Baby's health

It is understandable for new parents to be concerned about their newborn's health, especially when it comes to diaper contents. While it is normal for newborns to have varying frequencies of urination and defecation, it is important to monitor their output to ensure they are getting adequate nutrition and staying hydrated.

Urination in Newborns:

A newborn baby typically passes urine for the first time within 12 to 24 hours after birth. Not peeing in this timeframe could indicate a urinary tract problem. During the initial 2–3 days, breastfed newborns may produce less urine due to lower milk intake, and their pee frequency will increase as they breastfeed more frequently. It is normal for newborns to urinate anywhere between 1–6 hours (or 4–8 wet diapers) per day.

Factors Affecting Urine Output:

• Age: In the first five days, a good rule of thumb is to expect at least as many wet diapers as the baby's age in days. For example, on Day 1, there should be at least one wet diaper, and by Day 5, at least five wet diapers.
• Feeding Method: Breastfed babies may not produce many wet diapers during the first few days. As their milk intake increases, their urine output will also increase.
• Dehydration: Signs of dehydration include a reduced number of wet diapers (generally 6–8 diapers changed per day), lack of tears when crying, a sunken soft spot on the baby's head, sunken eyes, and a dry mouth.
• Climate: Extremely cold weather can cause newborns to urinate less.
• Liquid Intake: The amount of urine produced depends on the amount of fluid consumed. Newborns may urinate less if they are not drinking enough liquids (breast milk or formula).

Defecation in Newborns:

Newborns can have varying bowel movement frequencies, similar to adults. Some newborns may defecate every time they eat, while others may go a few days between bowel movements. Breastfed babies tend to poop more frequently than formula-fed babies, and their stools are typically softer and seed-like in texture.

Factors Affecting Bowel Movements:

• Nutrition: If the newborn is not getting proper nutrition, their bowel movements may be affected.
• Age: Newborns typically pass their first stool (meconium) within 24–48 hours of birth. After the first few days, their stools should become looser and lighter in colour.
• Feeding Method: Breastfed babies may go several days without pooping, especially if they are gaining weight appropriately. Formula-fed babies tend to have darker and firmer stools and are more likely to poop at least once a day.

In summary, it is important to monitor your newborn's urination and defecation patterns and consult a paediatrician if you have any concerns. Factors such as age, feeding method, nutrition, dehydration, and climate can all influence their output.

Jaundice

Most hospitals check for jaundice before discharging newborns, but it can develop in breastfed babies at any time during the first week of life. If you notice signs of jaundice, contact your pediatrician, who will check for it during the first office visit.

Frequently asked questions