When a baby’s poop seems more watery than solids and is runny, he could be having diarrhea. The color may be yellow, green, or brown and will look like there was a small explosion. Sometimes, it can even leak out from the diaper.
If your baby has 3 – 4 diaper changes in a day with poop that looks like this or if this goes on for 2 days, you need to call the doctor. This might cause the baby to be dehydrated.
Constipation
If the baby’s poop looks like tiny pebbles and he’s having a hard time with his bowel movement, your baby might be constipated. As long as it’s not more than 3x in a row that this has happened, there’s no need to call the doctor.
Bloody Poop and Poop with Mucus
If your baby’s poop has blood on it, call the doctor immediately.
If there is only a small amount of mucus, this is not a cause for concern. If there is a large amount of mucus coupled with blood, then you need to call your doctor. Blood and mucus in baby stool could mean an allergy, a gastrointestinal infection, or another problem.
How often should baby poop?
Pooping patterns vary among babies. As long as the poop that is coming out is reasonably soft and your baby poops at least once a day. Some babies poop after every feeding especially if they are breastfed but formula-fed babies poop at least once a day. Other babies poop once or twice a week only. As long as it’s fairly consistent, then there’s no need to worry.
How to Help Baby Poop
Sometimes, your baby may have a hard time pooping. Here’s a few ways you can help baby poop but make sure that you don’t become dependent on these:
- Warm bath. The warm water relaxes the baby’s muscles and can help baby poo.
- Bicycle legs. Since babies are just on their back, they don’t have enough physical stimulation to their digestive system. Moving their legs in a gentle, cycling motion can help trigger their digestive system.
- Water or juice. Offering the baby a few ounces of water or pear juice can aid digestion and bowel movement.
- Massage. Stomach and lower abdomen massages stimulate the bowel so that the baby can poop. You can do a couple of massages a day as long as the baby is receptive and does not get more irritated until the baby finally poops.
Key Takeaways
Parents will always worry about when a baby poops, how often, what it looks like, and even how it smells. Knowing what is normal and when it’s time to call the doctor is very important so just remember that the pooping pattern differs for every baby and it can change when the baby changes their diet. As long as your baby remains active and does not seem to be bothered with his poop pattern, you shouldn’t be too. What matters is that the baby poops when the baby needs to poop.
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