Your baby’s changing stools
Your baby’s stools will go through many changes over the first few months, especially once you start to introduce solids! But the most obvious changes will be in the first few weeks of their life.
The first few days
Within the first 48 hours after birth your baby will pass meconium - a sticky, green-black substance, which is difficult to wipe off. Passing meconium shows that your baby’s bowels are working normally. Meconium is the accumulation of bile and mucous (amniotic fluid debris) present in the baby’s intestine prior to birth.
Once all the meconium has worked its way through your baby’s system, their stools will change.
Breastfed babies
If you are breastfeeding, you’ll notice that your baby’s stool will be a mustardy or bright yellow colour and have a loose texture. It might even look as if it has mustard seeds in it sometimes. Your baby might produce 3-4 of these stools a day. They may only go once every 2-3 days once breastfeeding is established. It is common in the first few days/weeks to change 10-12 nappies a day but this number decreases as baby’s feeding settles into a routine.
Bottle fed babies
If your baby is bottle fed their stools will be bulkier than if they were breastfed. The colour will be pale yellow or yellowish-brown and they should pass a stool at least once a day to avoid becoming constipated.
Of course an option is to choose an infant formula containing prebiotics. Prebiotics are similar to special carbohydrates found in breast milk and will make your baby’s motions softer and more like those of breastfed babies.
A change in your baby’s stools
Diarrhoea, constipation or blood-streaked stools are not normal for your baby to have continuously but if they occur just once, they might be symptoms of something quite simple. It’s essential to check with your health care professional.
Remember it is very important to always wash your hands after changing baby’s nappy to prevent the spread of any infection.