Defecation (defecation) can be said to be an indicator of a newborn's health. Unlike older children, newborn defecation has unique characteristics.
As a new parent, perhaps not many people know and are wondering whether your little one's bowel movements are normal or not. So, in this article, mothers and fathers will get information about defecating in newborn babies. What is the texture, and what is a healthy color like? For that, pay attention to the following information, OK!
Newborn babies defecate
Newborn babies' stools will experience changes in texture and color from day to day. Following is the complete explanation:
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Baby's first bowel movement (meconium)
Have you ever seen black-green poop when you first changed a newborn baby's diaper? That is meconium, which is your little one's first feces that are produced in the intestines before birth or around 12 weeks of pregnancy.
“Meconium consists of cells in the intestines, lanugo (fine hair in newborn babies), mucus, amniotic fluid, bile, and water,” said the Director of Pediatric Gastroenterology at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center, New York, Bradley Howard Kessler, MD, quoted from Parents.
Even though it looks disturbing, passing meconium is normal, Mother. In fact, meconium in a baby's diaper is a good sign. This means that your little one's intestines are doing their job well.
As reported by What to Expect, some time after the first 24 hours, when all the meconium has come out, we will see transitional stools, which are dark, greenish yellow and runny. Sometimes, the texture is seed-like (especially in breastfed babies).
Sometimes, there is also mucus or even traces of blood in it, which may be caused by the baby swallowing blood when he was born. To be sure, you can save diapers containing blood to show to the nurse or doctor.
After three or four days of bowel transition, the type of food the baby eats will determine the color and consistency of the stool, although this can change from day to day and from each bowel movement the baby has.
Mothers need to know that normal baby poop will depend on whether he is breastfed or given formula milk. If a baby is breastfed, the color and consistency of his bowel movements are often mustard-like. Sometimes it looks crumbly, even watery, and sometimes it has a grainy, mushy, or lumpy texture.
Meanwhile, if he is given formula milk, the stool is usually soft but tends to be more shaped than babies who receive breast milk. The color ranges from pale yellow to yellowish brown, light brown, or brownish green.
Illustration of a Newborn Baby Defecating/ Photo: iStock
The color of the baby's BAB is not normal
What color of baby poop should you worry about?
1. Black color after the meconium phase
After the black meconium comes out, you will no longer see the same colored stool. However, if you see black after the meconium phase, you should immediately contact a pediatrician. This can mean there is old blood in the stool.
2. Red color
Seeing red in a newborn's stool can also be a cause for concern. However, newborn girls can experience 'short periods' because they can get hormones from their mothers who give birth. This is usually just a few spots of blood or mucus. However, if you see blood in your stool, contact your pediatrician.
3. White color
Another color to pay attention to in newborn baby poop is white. This could indicate a problem with their stomach enzymes. This is also a reason to contact a pediatrician.
After introducing a baby to solid foods, usually between four and six months of age, the color of the poop may begin to change. So don't be surprised to see a variety of yellow, green and brown colors. If the baby's stool is hard and the baby seems to be trying hard to defecate, it's a good idea to contact a pediatrician, Mother.
Frequency of bowel movements of newborn babies
Quoting the Lurie Children's page, the frequency of defecation varies for each baby, just as it does for adults. Some newborns defecate every time they eat. While others only defecate every few days.
But how often newborns poop also depends on whether they are breastfed or given formula. Usually, babies who are breastfed tend to defecate more often than those who are given formula milk.
Be aware that newborns should defecate in the first 24 hours of their lives. Hospitals generally won't send babies home if they haven't had a bowel movement in the first 24 hours.
Baby won't defecate, what should I do?
For breastfed babies, constipation is rare. But less than one bowel movement a day in the early weeks could mean the baby is not getting enough food.
In general, around 6 weeks to 3 months, the frequency of urination can slow down to once a day or even once every two to three days. Contact your pediatrician if your little one does not defecate for more than three days in a row.
Meanwhile, babies who are given formula milk usually take longer to defecate. Check with a doctor if he doesn't have a bowel movement for more than five days as it could be a sign of constipation.
That is the explanation regarding the defecation of healthy newborn babies. Hopefully this information is useful, Mother.
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(aci/ank)