Need to Know About Poop
One of the most common questions that I get from parents is about poop. Is my child pooping too little, too much, is it the right color, etc.? The answer is: it varies! Stool can change based on diet and age. A wide range of stool is normal. Here’s a simple guide to help you know what’s expected and when to call your pediatrician.
Newborn Stage
Meconium: This is a black sticky tar like substance that babies pass on their first day of life to the third day of life.
Breastfed babies: As a mother’s milk supply increases, so will her infant’s stool frequency. Stool can be very frequent and can even occur in almost every diaper once the milk supply is established. Stool is usually yellow like mustard and has a seed-like quality to it. It can be like liquid or a soft paste. Stool frequency starts to slow down after the first few weeks of life.
Formula fed babies: Stool can start off very frequent but eventually slows down occurring 1-3 times per day. Stool can be yellow, green, or brown which is perfectly normal.
After First Few Weeks of Life
Breastfed babies: On average, breast fed babies have 1-3 stools per day. Some babies can go several days (up to 5 days) without stool and this is normal. Stool is still yellow like mustard, can have “seeds”, and can still be like liquid or a soft paste.
Formula fed babies: On average, formula fed babies have 1-2 stools per day. Depending on the type of formula, they can have less frequent stools which is normal. Stool is usually a soft paste and can still be brown, yellow, or green.
After Starting Solids
All babies after starting solids can have stool that is more formed or more solid. Their stool can change colors depending on what they eat so don’t be surprised if their stool is orange after eating a lot of carrots! Stool is also usually more smelly after starting solids.
Why Does my Baby Seem Uncomfortable When Pooping?
For babies, pooping can be like a work out! Their abdominal muscles are immature and they are still learning to coordinate their muscle movements to stool. They can make grunts and groans while pooping which is not a cause for concern.
When Should I Be Worried About Constipation?
Constipation is a concern if your baby has hard pellet-like stools. They can cry while or when trying to pass stool. They can also have blood streaks on their poop from straining.
When Should I Call the Pediatrician?
Call us if your baby has:
Blood in the stool
White, gray, or black stools
Persistent diarrhea
Hard stools causing pain
Sudden changes plus poor feeding, vomiting, or fever
No stool for more than 4 days with discomfort or bloating
The Bottom Line
Baby poop can be confusing with all of its changes, but most variations are normal. Color, frequency, and texture change as babies grow and their diets evolve. When in doubt, bring a photo or question to your child’s next visit, or give us a call.
