For many new parents, any change in their baby’s habits raises concern.
“There are all sorts of possible stool variations in appearance, texture, color and smell from one baby to another,” says Lori Holtz, MD, pediatric gastroenterologist on staff at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “It’s important for parents to understand that there’s a wide range of stool patterns, especially in infants, and what’s considered ‘normal’ for one child may not be for another. Learning your baby’s pattern can help you better distinguish what is normal and what is not.”
Newborn babies normally have their first bowel movement within the first 36 hours of life. Afterward, your baby’s source of nutrition will greatly affect his or her stool pattern.
Breastfed Newborn Babies
Babies who are breastfed typically pass stools several times a day, or after every meal. Poop in breastfed infants tends to be very soft, watery, seedy and green or yellow in color. Once solid foods are introduced around 4 months of age, stool becomes more solid, yellow or brown in color, and frequency changes to one or two stools every day or every other day.
Bottled-fed Newborn Babies
Don’t be alarmed if your bottle-fed baby doesn’t have a bowel movement every day. On average, bottle-fed babies have around one or two per day, which is less frequent than breastfed babies. The poop from babies fed from a bottle tends to be more formed at an earlier age and less watery. The color may still be brown, yellow or green.
Peculiar Poop—Warning Signs
A sudden change in your child’s stool pattern could be a sign of a problem. Abnormal symptoms include:
- constipation
- diarrhea
- not urinating every eight hours
- sluggish, lethargic or limp behavior
- stool that is black, red or white
If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, speak with your health- care provider. However, remember there is no set timeframe or normal quantity of stool passing for babies—no matter the method of feeding. Some babies will poop several times a day, and others may not poop for several days.
“As long as your baby’s bowel movements are soft, painless and are not excessive, chances are everything is okay,” says Kathy Quirin, RN, BSN, Answer Line nurse at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “If your child experiences a change in stool pattern but is happy and playing, keep an eye on him or her. If the problem persists, talk to your pediatrician.”