All About Baby Stools

The newborn baby's first nappy content is meconium, which is a greenish black substance that was in the baby's system before he was born. It can upset you if you are not prepared for it. But its presence shows that the baby's excretory system is functioning normally. The stools of breast-feeding babies are not smelly and are normally mustard or yellow colored and extremely loose. If the stool is green-colored sometimes this means that bile salts have not been re-absorbed totally. This may mean that your baby has colic, but sometimes happens without any reason.

Most often breast-feeding mothers can see a direct relationship between what they eat and their baby's stools. Babies who are bottle-fed have stools that is more formed and light brown in color. While being weaned, babies may have multi-colored stools. More often than not, they are of the same color as what they have eaten. Sometimes you may observe that some types of food have been passed through without being digested. Do not include these foods as part of the baby's diet for a few days.

The frequency with which your baby passes stools may vary. Sometimes breast-fed babies may not pass stools for many days or even a week. This is normal. Others may fill their nappy just before every feed. Some babies cry while passing stools. This is normal and if the stools are soft then your baby is not constipated. You will see that your baby's stools change a little from day to day. If there is a big change, like the stool has become very loose, very smelly, very hard or especially if there is mucous or blood in the stools then you should consult your doctor immediately.