One of the most important indicators of the baby’s health is the color of stools in his diaper. During the first year after birth, the baby’s diet goes through a lot of changes which also results in changes in the color of poop. These changes are a consequence of breastfeeding or formula feeding, being introduced to solid food, having green vegetables in the diet.
Sometimes, the baby’s stool color indicates infections and other problems. In this blog, we discuss different colors and types of poop for you to differentiate between what kind of poop is normal for the baby and what needs a check-up.
Click the given link to get colorfully patterned, disposable or reusable Diapers for your little one.
In the first few days after birth, the baby’s poop resembles a form of motor-oil, with its greenish-black tarry color and sticky texture. This consists of all the amniotic fluid and mucus that he absorbed in the uterus which his body is now disposing of.
Breastfed baby poop is considered to be normal when it has a mustard or greenish-brown color. The texture is creamy or mushy. Many mothers report that breastfed poop doesn’t smell as bad as other poop, and healthy breastmilk poop smells ALMOST pleasant.
Formula-fed baby’s poop smells slightly stronger than that of a breastfed baby. They resemble a peanut butter-like brown color and the changes in color include yellow-brown, tan-brown or green-brown.
Sometimes, food doesn’t get digested properly for various reasons, which results in food chunks to appear in the baby’s poop or the poop will have a different color. Babies who get introduced to peas, spinach, and other green vegetables in their diet will have greenish poop.
There are times when the baby’s diaper also has shades of black blood inside it. This can happen due to the baby sucking blood when being breastfed. The blood comes from dry and bleeding breasts. This isn’t a danger to the baby’s health but if there is no obvious reason for this to happen, it will be better to get the baby checked up.
The following kind of baby stools is a warning sign that the baby’s primary health care provider should be contacted.
Runny or watery poop indicates the baby has diarrhea which can be a sign of infections. If the condition goes untreated for too long, it can result in dehydration.
When the baby is introduced to solid foods, their poop comes out to be hard or pebble-like. This can be due to the baby’s intolerance of milk or soy or a food-related allergy.
Red blood in the baby’s poop can be a sign of milk protein allergy in normal poop. While in the case of diarrhea, it can be a sign of bacterial infection. But before reaching any conclusions about this, make sure your baby hasn’t just had any red fruit punch or red-colored food before pooping.
Slimy and green colored strings in the poop are indicative of mucus. This can mainly occur due to drooling but sometimes, this can happen due to an infection in which case you need to get your baby checked up as soon as possible.
White-colored baby poop indicates that the baby is facing problems with digesting food properly. The white means a lack of bile from the liver’s digested food.
If your baby’s poop turns out to be gray, then the baby is having problems digesting food just as in the case of white poop. Contact the baby’s primary healthcare provider immediately in such a situation.
Baby poop goes through changes with age and with changes in their diets. But you need to call the doctor if your baby’s poop seems unusual for what you’re used to from him. Some unusual cases include:
Some more serious problems indicated in poop include:
For more information on this and other topics, visit Little Angel Baby Clothes.
Leave a comment