Pooping is normal, and even, necessary for babies as they develop, and their first poop usually occurs within 24 hours of their birth. Decode what the different types of stools your baby produces means with this handy guide from Hor Mei Siew, Senior Lactation Consultant at Gleneagles Hospital.
Meconium
Appearance: Greenish black and very sticky
It’s the very first stools that the baby passes after birth, within the first two to three days of life.
Transition stools
Appearance: Soft greenish-yellowish stools
When baby starts feeding, the meconium will change to ‘transition’ stools, and this occurs within the next two to three days following the appearance of meconium.
Breastfeeding stools
Appearance: Soft to runny yellow stools with small seed-like curds.
Breastfed babies usually may pass motion after every feed, but they do skip a day or two of pooping.
Formula-fed stools
Appearance: Yellow-brown in colour.
Formula-fed babies pass motion once to twice a day, though not pooping every day or two is considered normal too. The size of their stools tends to be bigger than breastfed babies.
Constipation
Appearance: Hard like dry pellet, with blood present at times.
It is normal for the baby to get red in the face and grunt when baby has a bowel movement. However, if they show obvious distress when passing motion and their stools are pellet-like, it is likely that your little one is having constipation.
Diarrhoea
Appearance: Runny.
Babies having diarrhoea tend to pass motion more frequently. They will also look dehydrated and ill.
If you suspect that your baby may be having either constipation or diarrhoea, do not self-medicate, but seek medical advice instead.
Hor Mei Siew is a Senior Lactation Consultant at the Gleneagles Parentcraft Centre. The Parentcraft Centre provides interactive programmes to guide new parents through the various aspects of parenthood. Click here to find out more.
