How often should my baby poop after starting solids? Should it increase in frequency and volume?
During the first few days, weeks, and months of life, an infant's poop changes colour and consistency, and a wide range of colours is normal.
The main causes of changes in faeces' colour in newborns include age, food, and health. A newborn's poop is practically black, however, older infants' poop is yellow or brown. The colour of a baby's faeces can also be affected by both breastfeeding and formula feeding.
Baby poop changes when starting solids too. What should it look like and how often should baby poop after starting solids?
How your baby's poop's colour changes according to age
In the first few days after birth, a newborn will pass meconium, a black, sticky, tar-like substance. Newborn bowel motions change to a lighter, runnier stool after three days. Its colour ranges from light brown to yellow to yellow-green.
The first six weeks
By 24 to 48 hours after delivery, a newborn will have passed meconium. By day 4, it will have turned a green-yellow tint.
Afterwards, a baby's poop colour will depend on whether he is breastfed or not. For breastfed babies, their stool is usually runny and yellow. Expect at least three bowel movements each day. But some newborns may have as many as four or twelve. A baby may only poop every few days after that.
Meanwhile, formula-fed babies' poop is a light brown or greenish colour. At least 1-4 bowel movements each day are to be expected. A baby may only pass faeces every other day after the first month.
Baby poop colour - is it normal?
Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels
The colour of a baby's stools might change due to a variety of circumstances. The following are some common colours and their causes:
1. Yellow
This is a typical colour for a breastfed baby's poop. Their faeces is dark yellow in colour and may contain tiny particles.
These specks are made up of breastmilk and are completely harmless. Poop from breastfed babies is sometimes described as "seedy," with seeds that resemble cottage cheese curds but are yellow.
2. Black
Black is a healthy colour for stool in neonates in less than one week. However, when this period of time has passed, it may signify a health problem.
A newborn passes meconium within the first 24 hours of life. This is a substantial black stool. Cells, amniotic fluid, bile, and mucus absorbed while in the womb make up this substance. Meconium is normally odourless since it is sterile.
A newborn will pass meconium for the first few days of his or her existence. From black to dark green, then yellow, the hue should progressively shift.
A Baby’s poop should no longer be black after one week of life. Seek medical help if the black colour continues. It could indicate that there is some gastrointestinal bleeding.
3. Brown
This is a typical colour for a formula-fed baby's poop. When a newborn consumes formula, his or her poop is light brown or orange in colour. It may be a little darker and stiffer than a breastfed baby's stool.
4. Green baby poop after eating solids
Green poop is a common occurrence among newborns. The following are some possible causes:
- Slow digestion, occurs when a newborn eats more than usual.
- green foods in the breastfeeding mother's diet
- a stomach bug or a cold
- a dietary intolerance or allergy
- antibiotics, either in the newborn or in the woman who is breastfeeding
- a jaundice therapy
The poop of some infants is normally slightly green. Green poop isn't always a cause for concern if the infant is gaining weight and appears content.
5. Red
Because there is blood in poop, it is frequently crimson. Seek medical help if necessary.
It's possible that the baby has a health problem or has eaten a small bit of blood. If a breastfeeding mother's nipples are damaged or bleeding, this can happen. Bleeding from the baby's bottom is another reason for red poop.
6. White
White poop is unusual and may signal liver disease.
Jaundice, for example, is very frequent in infants, affecting up to 80% of them within the first few days of their lives. Within the first two weeks, it normally fades away.
Check the colour of your baby's stool if you fear your infant still has jaundice after 14 days. A poop that is pale or white could indicate liver illness. Yellow pee is another indicator to keep an eye out for.
The doctor may test the baby's bilirubin levels if they have white or pale stool. Bilirubin is a substance that aids in the elimination of waste from the body. There are two types of bilirubin, and if levels of one type are too high, it can cause health problems.
Why baby poop changes when starting solids
As your baby grows, you'll probably notice a difference in their faeces. If their nutrition changes in any manner, you may notice a difference as well.
In certain situations, the infant may have as many as 4-12 bowel movements per day. After that, the baby may only poop on a few occasions. Babies normally start passing more faeces after starting food with fluids. Myelination begins 24-48 hours after birth.
Changes in faeces volume, consistency, and colour might occur when you convert from breastfeeding to formula or change the type of formula you give your infant.
You may notice little fragments of food in your baby's stool as they begin to eat solid foods. The number of times your infant poops per day may fluctuate as a result of these dietary changes.
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Baby poop issues after starting solids
Changing from an all-milk diet to a diet that includes food will give your child's digestive system some adapting to do. It's not the same, constant consistency of milk anymore. Some foods are easier to digest (such as those high in fibre), while some are a bit challenging to the stomach. In fact, some food may even pass through your baby's system almost unchanged and reappear in his diaper later on. Because your baby is exposed to more kinds of food, the possibility of getting digestive issues is also more common. Some babies struggle with constipation while some get diarrhoea. These are all normal, however, you should take note of their symptoms to prevent your child from becoming dehydrated or experiencing complications.If you are concerned about a change in your baby's stools, always consult with his or her paediatrician.
When to consult your paediatrician
If you see the following in your baby’s faeces, see your child's paediatrician or seek medical care straight away:- faeces that are crimson or bloody
- When your infant has passed meconium, black stools (usually after day four)
- Stools in white or grey
- more stools per day than your infant should have
- faeces containing a lot of mucous or water
- According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should not have more than six wet diapers per day.
- fussiness
- a less lighthearted disposition than normal
- sobbing without shedding tears
- extreme exhaustion
- skin that is changing colour or appears wrinkled
- On the head, there is a hollowed soft place.
- eyes that are sunken
While constipation is uncommon in the newborn period, especially when breastfeeding, your infant may be constipated if they have firm stools or difficulty passing stool. If this occurs, contact their paediatrician immediately. The paediatrician will make suggestions for how you can assist. Although apple or prune juice is sometimes recommended, never give your newborn baby juice without first seeking medical advice. This article was written by Margaux Dolores and republished with permission from theAsianparent Philippines.
Updates by Camille Eusebio
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