How often should my baby poo?

Wiping your little one’s bum will become the new normal and so will inspecting their poop! So you better get used to it. From dehydration to constipation, you can learn a lot about your baby’s health by checking up on their poo. The wide variety of colours and consistencies can clue you into their well-being. Figuring out how often they should be going and what it should look like will help you with any concerns.

How often will my baby poop?

First off, you’re probably wondering how often you’ll be grabbing for a fresh nappy? Depending on if you are breastfeeding or using formula, your little one might have different schedules. For a breastfeeding baby, during the first 5 days of life, they may only need one change during the day. Don’t get too comfortable though; after 5 days their bowels will start speeding up and your little one may need their dirty nappy to be changed around five times per day.

When they reach the six-week mark, their movements may begin to slow down. You can expect their poops to come less frequently, with some babies possibly skipping a full day or days. Every baby is different, so don’t fret about the frequency. If they are content and gaining weight then don’t worry too much if it varies a little here and there. A formula-fed baby will go to the bathroom less, roughly around 3-5 times a day. 

If you are concerned about your baby’s pooping frequency or they seem uncomfortable or in pain, always speak with your doctor.

What colours can I expect to see?

Thinking about the colour of your little one’s poop will become a very normal part of your life. What’s normal relies on, again, if they’re breastfed or formula-fed. Breastfed babies will typically have poo that is mustard coloured. Formula-fed poo on the contrast might be light brown, pale yellow, a mix between the two, or greenish-brown.

Consistency

Babies that are breastfed will have stools that are runny, seedy, loose, and watery. They are more watery than formula babies because they are absorbing all of the nutrients from your milk. On the other hand, formula babies will have poop that is more paste-like and better formed than breastfed ones. 

Changes to their stool

If you begin formula-feeding after breastfeeding, some natural changes will occur. Their stool may start becoming more firm and look more brownish. The amount can decrease as well. 

Checking up on your little one’s nappy is important to monitor any bleeding, diarrhea, or constipation. If your baby isn’t pooping for around 5-7 days, contact your doctor because it is possible they might be constipated. Luckily, it is easily treatable and they’ll be pooping happily again soon.

If their diapers start to come more often and are quite a watery green, this could mean they have diarrhea. Diarrhea is due to dehydration so you may want to contact your GP if this occurs, especially in newborns. 

Whether your little one is breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, their poop can tell you a lot about them! You’ll come to know what is normal for them and the changes to expect – and you’ll probably even start to learn they have their own unique scent…  Oh, how your life has changed, right?