Frequency of Baby Poop – How Often Should Your Baby Poop?

When you welcome your child into this world, your mind will be filled with questions. A common question that bothers almost all new parents is regarding the pooping habits of a baby. Parents often have this common question: ‘ How should the poop of a healthy baby be?’

The poop of a baby indicates his health, as a lot of diseases and disorders the child faces can be identified by simply examining the colour of his poop. As a mother, you will go through many diaper-changing episodes soon, so make sure to notice the frequency and colour of his poop to check if there is anything wrong with your baby.

Let us look at how often should a newborn poop and what it means in the early stages of his life so that you can take better care of your newborn.

How Often Does a Newborn Baby Poop?

If you’re wondering how often should a newborn poop, we have curated a  table below indicating the minimum number of bowel movements expected of a child per 24-hour period in the first six months of his life:

90% of babies pass motion within 24 hours of birth, while by 48 hours, most babies have at least 1 bowel movement completed. Initial stools are greenish-black and odourless, called meconium. Meconium persists in passing till 72-96 hours of life. Then comes the transitional stool, which is more green, watery, and filled with mucus. By the end of the first week, babies start to pass yellow-orange coloured stool. During the first week of life, stool passage frequency increases with increasing milk intake. Also, emptying of the stomach is faster in newborn babies, making them pass stool even after each feed. But there is no fixed minimum number of motion passages. It keeps on varying from multiple times (6-8 times) in a day to even once a week. Frequency of motion is less important until the baby starts to show signs of discomfort like vomiting, refusal to feed or tummy fullness.

When your baby starts eating solid foods, you can expect poop that is much more adult-like. This usually occurs around the five-month mark, when you start feeding solid food to your child. The poop becomes firm and dark in colour and has a distinctly bad odour. Note that the colour of the poop is slightly dependent on the meal he would have had previously; this is completely normal and indicates a good digestive system. Sometimes, you may even find bits of veggies in his poop. This is because hard foods are usually passed on by the digestive system as they are not properly chewed, owing to the lack of molars.

In any way, a mother will be expected to make at least a thousand diaper changes in the first year of parenthood. So, observe the colour and texture of the poop for an idea about the health of your child.

Why You Should Monitor Baby’s Poop?

You might be wondering why anyone would want to look at poop? Well, the truth is that your baby’s poop can tell you a lot about their health and well-being. For example, if your baby’s poop is consistently runny or contains blood, it could indicate an infection or allergy or if your newborn poops after every feeding, you might want to consult a doctor. On the other hand, if your baby’s poop is consistently hard and dry, it could be a sign of constipation.

By monitoring your baby’s poop, you can catch any potential health issues early and address them before they become more serious. Plus, keeping track of your baby’s poop can help you establish a baseline for what is normal for them, so you’ll notice any changes more easily.

But monitoring your baby’s poop doesn’t have to be gross or unpleasant. It can be a great opportunity to bond with your baby and learn more about their unique quirks and habits. You might even get excited when your baby produces a particularly impressive poop (hey, we’ve all been there!).

So, don’t be afraid to get up close and personal with your baby’s poop. It may not be the most glamorous aspect of parenting, but it is an important one that can greatly impact your baby’s health and well-being.

How Many Times a Day Should Breastfed Babies Poop?

During the early stages of breastfeeding, your child may not have a strong digestive system to absorb all the nutrients he receives. This means that a lot of the milk is simply passed out of the body through stools, which leads to the stools being yellow in colour and having a loose consistency in the first few months. You can expect your child to poop at least four times a day in the first few weeks of his life. The frequency of pooping eventually increases as he grows. Most commonly, breastfed babies poop after every feeding, sometimes even twelve times a day or more.

How Many Times Does a Formula-Fed Baby Poop?

Compared to children who are breastfed, formula-fed babies poop far less. This is because of the lack of colostrum in their diet, which acts as a natural laxative and is present in high amounts in breastmilk. The frequency of the child pooping will be around three or four times a day, and the texture will be more solid compared to that of breastfed babies. The colour is less yellow and more greenish and darker.

As he grows, you will find that your baby poops only once a day, whether formula-fed or breastfed. This is an indication of the digestive system becoming healthier and does not mean that there is anything wrong with the baby.

When to Consult a Paediatrician?

When your little one poops, it could sometimes cause you to alarm just to see the different expressions on his face and the sounds he’ll make – groans and frowns throughout. However, this needn’t be considered a problem. Your baby’s digestive system is just developing and it’s normal for him to go through some strain to pass stools. Such things don’t call for medical attention, but trust your motherly instincts to decide when you have to visit the doctor. The signs below will give you an indication that something is amiss with your baby’s digestive health:

• If the stool of the baby is showing traces of blood or if it seems oddly coloured
• If your baby seems constipated
• If his poop is filled with mucus or water, meaning that your child might be having some sort of allergy or infection
• If your newborn’s stools are still black in colour, i.e., after day four of his birth
• If he passes more stools than what is usual for him
• If his stools are white or grey in colour
• If your baby is pooping too much or is experiencing diarrhoea or constipation for an extended period (more than a day or two), it could be a sign of an infection, allergy, or other issue. A paediatrician can help determine the cause and provide treatment to alleviate the symptoms and prevent further complications.
• If your baby has a fever and other symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, or abdominal pain, it could be a sign of a more serious infection or illness.
• If your baby seems to be in discomfort or pain during bowel movements, it could be a sign of constipation, an infection, or another issue. 
• If your baby’s poop is dry and hard, it could be a sign of dehydration, which can be dangerous for babies.

FAQs

1. How Long Can a Newborn Go Without Poop?

Newborn poop frequency should be at least 3-4 times daily during their first few weeks. However, it’s common for some newborns to go several days without pooping, especially if exclusively breastfed. As long as your baby seems comfortable and is not showing any signs of discomfort or distress, it’s usually not a cause for concern. However, it’s best to consult a paediatrician if your baby goes over a week without pooping or seems to be in pain or discomfort.

2. Is Pooping a Lot Cause Diaper Rash in Babies?

Yes, frequent pooping can contribute to diaper rash in babies. When a baby’s skin is exposed to stool for an extended period, it can cause irritation and inflammation, leading to diaper rash. It’s important to change your baby’s diaper frequently and to clean their bottom thoroughly with a gentle, fragrance-free wipe or washcloth to help prevent diaper rash. You can also use a barrier cream or ointment to help protect your baby’s skin from moisture and irritation. 

The poop of your baby can give you an insight into his health, so you must always take note of the frequency and consistency of his bowel movements in the early stages. Since your baby won’t be able to communicate any problems or discomfort at such a young age, you should definitely pay attention to his poop so that any diseases or problems can be recognised immediately.

References/Resources:

1. Stephens. C; How often should a newborn poop?; MedicalNewsToday; https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-often-should-a-newborn-poop#frequency; June 2020

2. Lemoh. JN, Brooke. OG; Frequency and weight of normal stools in infancy; PubMed Central; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1545825/; September 1979

3. Hertog. JD, Leengoed. EV, Kolk. F, et al.; The defecation pattern of healthy term infants up to the age of 3 months; PubMed Central; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22522220/; April 2012

4. Jana. LA, Shu. J; Pooping By the Numbers; healthychildhren.org; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Pooping-By-the-Numbers.aspx; February 2009

5. Hoekar. JL; Infant and toddler health;  Mayo clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/baby-poop/faq-20057971

6. Poop (Frequency, Color, Consistency); KidsPediatrics; https://kidsplus.com/parent-resources/doctors-notes/poop-frequency-color-consistency/

7. Baby Poop Guide; Children’s Hospital Colorado; https://www.childrenscolorado.org/conditions-and-advice/parenting/parenting-articles/baby-poop-guide/

Also Read:

Abnormal Poos and Wees in Babies
Baby Poop: What’s Normal & What’s Not
Warning Signs Your Baby is Not Pooping Properly