The amount of questions we get from parents asking about pee and poop makes this blog post very relevant! As pediatric nurses, we want to educate parents about such wonderful topics. The more you know, the better you will feel! So let’s get to it.
Passing stool and passing urine can vary and may depend on the type of feeding.
If you are breastfeeding, your baby may have several bowel movements (stools) each day while feeding. Some babies pass stool after each feed.
If you are formula feeding, your baby may have one or more stools each day, or your baby may not pass any stools for 1-2 days.
Your newborn’s first stool should be within the first 36 hours of life and will be sticky, greenish-black, and tar-like (meconium). This is normal. Your newborn’s stool will change as he or she begins to eat.
If you are breastfeeding your baby, you can expect the stools to be seedy, soft, mushy, and yellow-brown in color, usually low in odor.
If you are formula feeding your baby, you can expect the stools to be firmer and grayish-yellow in color, may have a strong odor.
All stools maybe yellow, green, or brown.
It is normal for your newborn to pass gas loudly and often during the first month.
A newborn often grunts, strains, or gets red in the face when passing stools, but if the stool is soft, he or she is not constipated. If you are concerned about constipation, contact your health care provider.
Both breastfed and formula-fed babies may have bowel movements less often after the first 2-3 weeks of life.
Your newborn should pass urine one or more times in the first 24 hours after birth. After that time, he or she should urinate:
2-3 times in the next 24 hours
4-6 times a day during the next 3-4 days
6-8 times a day on (and after) day 5
Generally speaking, one wet diaper per day of life until day 7.
After the first week, it is normal for your newborn to have 6 or more wet diapers in 24 hours. The urine should be pale yellow.
After the first month, stools of breastfed babies usually become less frequent and may even happen less than once per day. Formula fed babies tend to have at least one stool per day.
Diarrhea is when your baby has many watery stools in a day. If your baby had diarrhea, you may see a water ring surrounding the stool on the diaper or mucus. Tell your baby’s health care provider if you see those things..
Call your pediatrician if your baby:
Has 3 or less wet diapers a day
You spot a bright pink or bloody looking stain
There is a strong or foul odor to the urine
If at any time your infant shows signs of distress
As always, like, comment, and share!
Kayla Loschky, RN, BSN
Sources: