Your baby’s changing stools
Your baby’s stools will go through many changes over the first few months, especially once you start to introduce solids! But the most obvious changes will be in the first few weeks of their life.
The first few days
In the first few days after birth your baby will pass meconium - a sticky, greenish-black substance, which is difficult to wipe off. Passing meconium shows that your baby’s bowels are working normally.
Once all the meconium has worked its way through your baby’s system, their stools will change.
Breastfed babies
If you’re breastfeeding you’ll notice that your baby’s stools has a distinctive, sweet smell. It will be a mustardy or bright yellow colour and have a loose texture. It might even look as if it has mustard seeds in it sometimes. Your baby might produce 2-3 of these stools a day. Or they may only go once every 2-3 days once breastfeeding is established.
Bottlefed babies
If your baby is bottlefed, their stools will be bulkier than if they were breastfed and will smell a little like adult ones. The colour will be pale yellow or yellowish-brown and they should pass a stool at least once a day to avoid becoming constipated.
A change in your baby’s stools
Diarrhoea, constipation or blood-streaked stools are not normal for your baby to have continuously but if they occur just once, they might be symptoms of something quite simple. If you’re worried, it’s always a good idea to check with a healthcare professional.
• Any kind of small tummy bug, medication, teething or sensitivity to food can cause diarrhoea and this should clear up without treatment within 24 hours. If not, speak to your doctor.
• Constipation can be caused by a number of things including a change of diet, dehydration or a minor illness like a cold. Follow our tips to relieve your baby’s constipation.
• Streaks of blood can sometimes appear in your baby’s stools if they’ve got or have had constipation and have been straining too hard. But it’s always best to get this checked out by your doctor just in case.