5 THINGS YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT STOOL PATTERN OF YOUR BABY

          5 THINGS YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT STOOL PATTERN OF YOUR BABY!!!

Dear parents,
One of the most common reason for parental concern during my postnatal visits to well babies is stool pattern of the baby.  A baby has a much  different stool pattern than the adults. And here is all you need to know 👇



1) COLOUR

  •  First few stools of newborn is of greenish black color (motor oil like) called meconium.
  •  It becomes greenish yellow or brownish yellow with time usually by day 5 or 6.
  •  Colour of the stool usually doesnot matter  unless it has blood in it. So, whether your baby poop is green , seedy, yellow or curd like , brown just relax!!! ALL IS WELL. 
WHEN TO WORRY: If the baby passes blood in stools / persistently white coloured stools / persistently oily, bulky, large amount of stools with failure to gain weight.

2) FREQUENCY

  •  During first 6 month of life when the baby is on breast feed usually passes 4-7 stools in a day.
  •  Formula fed baby passes stool less frequently and bulkier than breastfeed babies
  •  Can pass up to 10 times in a day OR once in 7-8 days, both situations are normal if the stool is   not hard and baby is active; having their feed properly. 
  •  Frequency decreases after 6months of age, usually 2-4 times/day
  •  So frequency is quite variable during infantile period, never worry alone for frequency.
  • Baby may pass stool after every feed , sometimes in between feed too. Thats physiological, medically we call it as gastrocolic reflux. Relax.. ALL IS WELL.
WHEN TO WORRY- When increase in stool frequency is associated with watery stools/ sunken eyes/ decreased urine frequency. 





3) ODOUR

  • Formula fed babies usually  pass bulky more odorous than breastfed babies
  • Become more odorous after started giving top feed
WHEN TO WORRY- Very malodourous, bulky, oily stools  associated with failure to gain weight

4) CONSISTENCY

  • Stool is very soft and of runny texture in newborn period, almost watery
  • Gradually hardens in consistency over time, Paste like in first few months and after 6months of age its usually semisolid and well formed.
  • Sometimes baby may pass hard stools too, better idea is to wait and watch. If it persists contact your pediatrician.
WHEN TO WORRY- If baby is passing total watery poops with increased frequency with decreased urine and sunken eyes/poor feeding




5) Normal Changes in stool in some common ailments

Common cold/viral infection:  Frequency usually increased slightly
 May become Greenish and loosen in consistency
During teething: May become greenish due to excessive salivation


Remember, a baby has a total different pattern of stool infact better to say a baby has no pattern of stools. It may take one year to have a set pattern of passing stools for the baby. So just relax !!! ALL is well....😀

WITH LOADS OF LOVE AND BLESSINGS FOR YOUR BABY!!!
BEST WISHES


Written by- Dr Radhey   
Edited by-   Dr Priyanka Gupta 

Comments

  1. SanjanaMay 5, 2020 at 11:03 AM

    Thanks for this. It clears most of my doubts about random stools patterns of my baby😊

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownMay 5, 2020 at 11:39 AM

    Thanku so much dear seep :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Vikas JoshiMay 5, 2020 at 7:42 PM

    Nice details..Dr Radheshyam

    ReplyDelete
  4. InderMay 5, 2020 at 7:50 PM

    Pearls of knowledge by Dr. Radhey. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mahak PrasharMay 5, 2020 at 10:54 PM

    Should be circulated to all the parents,thankyou Dr Radheyshyam Sharma ji for all the knowledge... 😊

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownMay 5, 2020 at 11:14 PM

    This bothers most of parents...u did well doc...thanks

    ReplyDelete

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