The baby's poop is something you would never think of before he or she arrives. Then, when they're here, you will find yourself curious about it. Its colors and consistency may change over time, especially if you are breastfeeding. That may concern you. The question is, should you be concerned? This article will give you clarity. Here's what you need to know about breastfed infant poop.
What Does Breastfed Baby Poop Look Like?
Breastfed babies' poop changes appearance as they grow. So, do not be too surprised if the color changes, especially if you changed something in their diet. In this section, you will find information on how they should look like in different stages:
Breastfed Baby's First Poop (Meconium)
Your baby's poop in the first weeks will be greenish-black, tarry, and sticky. It may remind you of thick motor oil. That is called meconium, and it is odorless because it does not have the bacteria that will soon be in your baby's stomach. The problem is that it is hard to clean off. So, consider applying some petroleum jelly on your baby's bottom before they poop to avoid cleaning problems.
Your baby will produce their first poop within 24 hours after being born. If they don't, the doctor will have to examine them to check if something is wrong.
Breastfed Newborn Poop in the First Few Months
After a few days, your baby will no longer produce meconium. The poop color will become lighter. Instead of dark green, it is now green, mustardy, yellow, or tan. It will also be less sticky.
During this stage, bacterial colonization has begun. Thus, the poop will now have a smell. However, some women report that the smell is still not foul. Some descriptions even said the poop smells like popcorn, hay, or porridge.
Breastfed Infant Poop After Taking Solid Foods
Once you introduce solid food, the poop will once again change. It will have more substance, having more of a pasty consistency rather than the creamy consistency it had before. It will also have a stronger, fouler smell.
What Are The Causes of Abnormal Breastfed Baby Poop?
Your baby's poop may be different from the colors listed above. That could be a signal of a problem. Seeing these abnormal breastfed baby poop colors may make you panic. However, please note that some of them are just effects of food or medication. Learn more about these below:
Red or Bloody Poop of a Breastfed Baby
Red poop is unusual, even for adults. So, when you see your baby has produced a stool of this color, it can be scary. The good news is that it does not always mean something is wrong. Certain foods, like beets, tomatoes, and food coloring, can add red chunks to your baby's stool. Some medications may also cause the same effect.
Unfortunately, red stool can, more often than not, be a sign of bigger problems. For example, bloody diarrhea may be causing it, and that could signal an E. coli or salmonella infection.
Blood in your breast milk may also be the cause. It could happen if your nipples are cracked or injured. While it is normally safe for babies, it is not if the breastfeeding person has HIV or AIDS. In that case, consult a doctor to know other ways to provide for your baby's needs.
Black Poop of a Breastfed Baby
Like red poop, black poop can be a result of eating certain foods or taking medications. Antacid medications that are used to treat heartburn or an upset stomach could cause this coloration. If your baby takes iron-fortified formula, you can expect this effect, too.
Black stool is not normal if it resembles meconium, but you are way past that point. The difference is that it is firmer. If this is the case, consult a doctor immediately. It could be a sign of bleeding in the digestive tract.
Pale-Grey or White Poop of a Breastfed Baby
Like red, white is not a color you would associate with poop. So, it goes without saying that it is abnormal, and you need to know what's wrong. If your breastfeeding baby's poop is white, it means something prevents bile from leaving their liver. As a result, they can't digest food properly. The same goes for pale-grey poop. Call your child's pediatrician as soon as possible.
Green Frothy Poop of a Breastfed Baby
The green, frothy poop of a breastfed baby is a result of foremilk-hindmilk imbalance. At the start of each nursing session, the milk will have low levels of fat and high levels of sugar. That is foremilk. Then, towards the end, it will have high fat and calorie content. That is hindmilk.
If your baby can't empty your breasts in the feeding sessions, that means they are getting more foremilk than hindmilk. This imbalance can cause green, frothy poop and also gassiness.
How Often Should a Breastfed Newborn Poop?
In the first few days, your baby may have at least 1 to 2 bowel movements a day. Then, it may increase in the following days as your baby grows and eats more. In some cases, you may need to change diapers 5 to even 10 times in a single day. Your baby may even poop after every feeding. Do not panic, as this is normal in the first month of your breastfed baby.
After six weeks, your baby will pass stool less often. There will also be days when they do not poop. Observe their poop if this happens to confirm it is not hard. If so, and if your baby is comfortable and growing, there is nothing to worry about.
When To Seek Medical Assistance?
You should seek medical assistance if your baby's poop has an abnormal color and you suspect something wrong.
If the stool is white or light grey, contact a pediatrician immediately because that is a sign that your baby's digestive system is not working properly.
If the stool is red or black, it could be because of blood. Confirm that your baby has not eaten any food or taken any medication that can cause this coloration. Also, assess yourself to check if your nipples are injured or cracked. If none of these is true, there may be bleeding in your baby's digestive tract. Therefore, you should seek medical assistance.
With green, frothy poop, you just need to manage your milk supply. It ensures your baby gets enough of both foremilk and hindmilk.
Besides color, you should also observe your baby. Some telltale signs that something is wrong include poor weight gain and hard stools.
Clean Up the Mess with High-Quality Water Wipes
You need tools to help you clean the mess. You don't want to leave any stool in your baby's bottom whenever you are changing diapers. That is not hygienic for the baby and may cause some problems later on.
Momcozy offers you amazing products in the form of baby water wipes and wipe warmers. The Momcozy Baby Water Wipes are safe for your baby's skin and larger than your other options. It stays fresh and moist for a long time and features a bumpy texture that makes cleaning easier.
You would also need to keep the wipes warm to enhance cleaning and prevent causing distress. For that, you can use the Momcozy Baby Wipe Warmer. It ensures all wipes are warm without drying them up and turning them brown. Also, it features adjustable soft night lights that will help you find it easily at night.
FAQs About Breastfed Newborn Poop
Here are other questions regarding breastfed newborn poop:
Do Breastfed Babies Poop Everyday?
In the first few weeks or the very first month, yes. It is normal for breastfed babies to poop every day. They may even poop 5 times or more. After 6 weeks, though, it will change. Your baby may not poop every day. But if they are comfortable and not showing any signs of discomfort, that is okay.
How Many Times Should a Breastfed Newborn Poop?
They should poop at least once within their first 24 hours. Then, if you are breastfeeding them, they should do it many times a day, at least three times a day for the first six weeks. Please note that three is the minimum number. Some babies may have 4 to 12 bowel movements in a day.
Is It Normal for Breastfed Babies to Have Runny Poop but Not Seedy?
No, but it does not immediately indicate that something is wrong. The normal consistency of breastfed babies' poop is soft, runny, and a little seedy. If the texture strays too far from these textures, your baby may have diarrhea. But not being seedy is not yet too far from how it should look. So, look for other signs of diarrhea, like poor eating or a fever.
What Consistency Should Formula Milk Poop be?
Formula-fed baby's poop should have more substance than breastfed babies. The formula-fed poop consistency should be more pasty than runny, like peanut butter or hummus.
Conclusion
A breastfed infant's poop can be of different colors. Some colors are normal, while others tell you there is a problem with their digestive system. On top of the color, you should check the consistency and texture.
To detect problems, you also need to observe your baby's behavior. Are they having more or less bowel movements than usual? Is the frequency appropriate for their age? Of course, you would need to know what's normal and what's not to be able to identify if there are problems. If you read this article from start to finish, you just learned that. Use these learnings to help your baby grow into a healthy, happy person.
