Checking The Diaper: What The Baby’s Stool Says
Although it may seem implausible to some, there is a universal theme for parents: the baby’s feces. It certainly doesn’t qualify as a typical tabletop conversation piece, but it is important to talk about it. We all agree that their color, consistency and quantity can provide important clues about the health of the baby.
Meconium: the baby’s first stools
The baby’s first poop is called meconium, and it is made up of everything the baby ingests in the womb, including amniotic fluid, skin cells, and water. Meconium generally has a dark green color and a sticky consistency.
Over the course of a few days, your stools should become increasingly watery and lighter in color. If not, or if the baby does not defecate constantly in the first days of life, it could be a sign that he is not receiving adequate nutrition and needs to be reported to the pediatrician.
What is the normal frequency of bowel movements in the first days of life?
In the first four to six weeks of life, you should expect your newborn to have a bowel movement after almost every feeding. The appearance of your baby’s stool will vary depending on whether you are breastfeeding, formula feeding, or combining. Breast-fed baby poop is often yellow, runny, and runny, while formula-fed baby poop can be darker and thicker.
If the baby is breastfed, fewer stools may occur than formula-fed babies. It is common for a breastfed baby to go two or three days without a bowel movement. However, if you look happy and your tummy is soft, you are probably fine.
If your baby is formula fed, he may have slightly darker and firmer stools than the poop from breastfed children. Their stool can be the consistency of mayonnaise and the color can range from yellow to greenish-brown or tan.
In terms of frequency, the baby will probably defecate at least once a day. It is important to observe the consistency, if it is in the shape of logs or pellets it could indicate constipation. It is an important piece of information to discuss with your pediatrician, as it could mean an allergy or a cause for a change in formula.
A rainbow in the diaper: how to interpret the color in baby’s stool
The color and consistency of the baby’s stool is usually a good indicator to evaluate possible health problems. The first recommendation for new parents is to avoid panic; it is important to never forget the relationship between stool and intake. A red stool may just be the organic trace of having eaten beets, for example.
That said, we must add that if you see anything unusual, feel free to take the diaper to the pediatrician, as it can help the doctor make an evaluation. Here are some facts about what each color of baby poop could mean:
Green
It is a common finding in formula-fed babies and is not a cause for concern. It may be that the iron in baby formula can cause a dark green discoloration. It can also indicate that the baby is overcoming a stomach virus. If you have additional gas and discomfort, it could be a sign that you have a cow’s milk allergy.
White or Gray
At the age less than six months, when the baby is still being breastfed or formula-fed, if the baby’s stool resembles chalk, is whitish or gray, you should definitely call the pediatrician.
White stools can be a sign that the liver is not working properly. If the baby eats solids, it may be something from the diet. If not, it is important to evaluate, as it could indicate a liver or gallbladder problem.
Orange
Baby’s first solid foods can result in orange stools and are not usually a problem. It can also happen if the mother has been taking medicine or eating foods with artificial colors.
Red
A few red spots are not a big deal. Red spots may appear if the baby is constipated and tries too hard to have a bowel movement. If you are just starting the solid diet, you will need to review each food eaten. In the case of really bloody stools, it may be a sign of infection, allergy or gastrointestinal injury. It is imperative to consult the pediatrician.
Black
Black stools can be caused by iron in your diet, which is no big deal. You may be taking an iron supplement. Iron derived from hemoglobin can also cause this dark discoloration and may indicate bleeding in your intestines. If you see black stools, do not delay in going to the doctor’s office.
Yellow
If you see mustard yellow stools, you should know that it is normal in breastfed or formula-fed infants. If it is bright yellow, the color change could be the result of medications or food ingested by the mother.
