Newborn Stooling: What is normal?

As a new parent, one of the things that can seem overwhelming is understanding your newborn's stooling routine. While it may seem like a trivial topic, your baby's stooling can be a great indicator of their overall health and well-being.

Newborns typically have their first bowel movement within the first 24 hours of life, and they should continue to have multiple bowel movements each day.

What should newborn stool look like?

Newborn stool can vary in color and consistency depending on their diet, and it can be helpful to know what stool typically looks like for babies.

For breastfed babies, stool is typically yellowish or greenish and has a loose, seedy consistency. Formula-fed babies tend to have pasty, darker brown stool. It's important to note that any stool color other than blackish green (meconium) in the first few days of life should be brought to the attention of your pediatrician.

When should you call your pediatrician?

While newborn stooling can vary from baby to baby, there are a few things to keep an eye out for that may warrant a call to your pediatrician:

- No bowel movements in the first 48 hours of life

- White, clay-colored, or pale stool

- Stool that is consistently mucousy or includes blood

- Stool that is consistently hard

These symptoms could be signs of a range of issues, from a lack of milk intake to dehydration or infection, so it's important to speak with your pediatrician if you notice any changes in your baby's stooling pattern.

Tracking your baby's stooling pattern

While a certain amount of variability in stooling pattern is normal for newborns, it can be helpful to keep track of when your baby is stooling, how much they are stooling, and what their stool looks like.

One easy way to do this is to keep a log or use an app that lets you input information about your baby's stooling. This can be especially helpful in identifying any changes in their pattern that may need attention from your pediatrician.

Stools by Age:

Day One: 1 Stool

Day Two: 1-2 Stool

Day Three: 3 Stool

Day Four: 4 Stool

Day Five: 5 Stool

Day Six: 6 Stool

Day Seven: At least 4 Stool

1 month: Depends on baby and they don’t need to stool daily

In conclusion, newborn stooling can seem like an intimidating topic, but it's an essential part of ensuring your baby's overall well-being. By being aware of what your baby's stool should look like and tracking their routine, you'll be better equipped to identify any issues and get the appropriate care they need. And don't forget to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge and support offered by your pediatrician and other healthcare professionals.