Understanding your newborn’s poop colour, consistency, and frequency can give you more insight into your baby’s health and development. Typically influenced by factors like diet and your baby’s digestive health, here is a comprehensive guide to give you a better understanding of what your baby’s poop is telling you:
Meconium: The First Poop
Your baby’s first few poops for the first 24 - 48 hours is called Meconium, a dark-green almost black poop that is composed of materials ingested in the womb. It has a sticky, tar-like consistency and is usually odourless.
Breastfed vs. Formula-fed Poop
Breastfed Babies: Their poop is typically yellow and seedy with a runny consistency. It may occasionally appear green, especially if the mother consumes green vegetables.
Formula-fed Babies: Expect a pastier texture and a colour that ranges from yellow to brown.
Introducing Solids
When your baby starts on solids at around 6 months old, their poop will change in consistency and colour. Their poop might contain undigested food particles and might have a stronger smell.
Poop Colour Guide
Yellow, Brown, and Green: Generally normal. Green can be due to diet or digestion speed.
Red: Could indicate blood; consult a healthcare provider.
Black: Often normal for meconium but can signal blood in older babies.
White or Gray: May indicate a liver issue; seek medical advice immediately.
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Frequency of Poop
- Breastfed Babies: Can vary from multiple times a day to once every few days.
- Formula-fed Babies: Typically at least once a day, but skipping a day or two can be normal.
Recognizing Issues
- Diarrhoea: Frequent, watery stools. Consult a doctor if persistent.
- Constipation: Hard, dry stools. Seek medical advice if it continues.
When to Worry
Contact your healthcare provider if you notice:
- Persistent abnormal colours.
- Accompanying symptoms like fever, vomiting, or lethargy.
By keeping an eye on your baby's diaper, you can ensure they stay healthy and happy!
References:
- https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/meconium.html#:~:text=Meconium%20is%20a%20newborn's%20first,the%20womb%20during%20late%20pregnancy.
- https://www.unitypoint.org/news-and-articles/breastfeeding-poop-vs-formula-poop-whats-the-difference#:~:text=As%20your%20milk%20supply%20increases,changes%20in%20color%20and%20consistency.
- https://www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/education/faq-introducing-your-baby-to-solid-foods#:~:text=your%20baby's%20doctor.-,How%20will%20my%20baby's%20stools%20change%20once%20I%20introduce%20solid,to%20appear%20in%20the%20stool.
- https://www.parents.com/baby/diapers/dirty/baby-poop-guide/#:~:text=Baby%20poop%20comes%20in%20many,to%20rule%20out%20health%20problems.
- https://www.childrenscolorado.org/conditions-and-advice/parenting/parenting-articles/baby-poop-guide/#:~:text=Infant%20poop%20frequency&text=Babies%20can%20poop%20as%20frequently,frequently%20than%20formula%2Dfed%20infants.
- https://milkology.org/content/breastfed-baby-poop-frequency