The Scoop on Poop

It's amazing how much you care about poop after you become a parent. What is in baby's diaper can tell you a lot about how baby's digestive system is working and help you determine if baby is constipated. Here's what you can expect from baby's bowel movements:

Frequency

Depending on your baby, what's considered normal may range from one bowel movement every several days to several poops every day. Generally breast-fed babies poop more than formula-fed ones.

Consistency

Infants who are breastfed tend to have somewhat watery bowel movements that are soft or even runny. Formula-fed babies pass slightly more firm stools that are similar in consistency to peanut butter.

Color

For breastfed babies, a mustardy yellow color with little seed like white bits is common. A yellow-tan with hints of green is typical for infants who are formula-fed. Small changes to baby’s diet and routine can lead to occasional constipation, while the complete absence of bowel movements can be an indicator of constipation so can stools that are hard or difficult to pass. If baby’s stool is small and pebble like or they are really straining to pass stools they may be constipated. Some things you can do to bring baby some relief include:

• Some foods and juices like pear, apple and prune have a laxative effect and can help to relieve minor constipation.

• Gentle stomach massage and bicycling baby’s legs can help to get things ‘moving,’ try after a warm bath.

• If you are formula feeding baby consider switching to a different formula that might be gentler on baby’s system.

• A natural way to help ease occasional constipation in babies older than 6 months is Mommy’s Bliss Constipation Ease*. Its extra gentle formula contains prune juice and organic fennel and dandelion extract, and is free of harsh chemicals or laxatives.

If you have any concerns or baby is not getting better, be sure to contact his or her doctor.