Understanding your baby's stools
New parents are often fascinated by their baby’s poop, spending ages contemplating its consistency and frequency and what these might indicate about their baby’s wellbeing! So how much can we tell from poop, and what should you be looking out for?
Early poop
The poop of breastfed and bottlefed babies looks very different. Generally speaking, breastfed babies’ poop hardly smells at all, and is a grainy mustard-yellow consistency. Bottlefed babies’ poop is usually yellow too, but it’s bulkier and tends to smell worse!
The frequency of bowel movements in young babies can vary enormously. Some have regular bowel movements; others fill their diapers only every few days. The two things to watch out for are constipation and diarrhea.
• Constipation Your baby may strain to have a bowel movement or clearly be in discomfort, and her poop will resemble hard pellets. Bottlefed babies are more prone to constipation than breastfed babies, but a little cooled boiled water between feeds can help get things moving again.
• Diarrhea This is frequent and watery poop that results from irritation of the digestive tract. It can be serious in young babies, as they can dehydrate rapidly as a result – signs include fewer wet diapers and sunken fontanels (soft spots). Call your pediatrician if your baby has diarrhea and if she exhibits signs of dehydration take her to the ER straightaway. Other problem signs in poop are pus or streaks of blood, which may be signs of an intestinal infection or anal fissure – call your pediatrician if you spot these.
Older babies and toddlers
As your baby goes onto solid food, her stools will become bulkier and more unpleasant-smelling. To begin with, she may not be able to digest high-fiber foods, such as raisins, and these may pass through her digestive tract gut and emerge in her poop virtually intact. The color of the food she’s eating will also affect the color of her stools – tomato-based pasta sauce may produce red poop; puréed carrots will likely produce a more orange hue!
Children who are eating a varied and balanced diet that includes enough fruit and vegetables, and drinking enough fluids, shouldn’t suffer from constipation. Usually, time-honored remedies such as prune juice will be enough to get things moving again. Diarrhea in toddlers can still be dangerous if allowed to go on for too long, and may be a sign of food poisoning or food intolerance. If in doubt, consult your pediatrician.
The information on this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.