Not a few parents who feel anxious and worried when their baby often defecate. This often raises the question, is it normal for newborns to have frequent bowel movements and watery stools? Come on, find out the answer in the following article.
It is normal for newborns to have frequent bowel movements (BAB). This shows that the baby is getting enough food and fluid intake. Frequent bowel movements also indicate that the baby is not dehydrated or constipated. This condition usually lasts for the first 6 weeks after the baby is born.
During the first few days after birth, your baby will pass his first stool, which is called meconium. The baby's first stools are dark green in color and have a slightly sticky texture. After that, the texture and shape of the new baby's stool begins to change.
Frequency of Newborn CHAPTER
The frequency of bowel movements in newborns varies depending on the type of food or milk given. This means that breastfed babies can have slightly different bowel movements than formula-fed babies.
The following are the differences in the characteristics and frequency of bowel movements of newborns based on the type of milk they consume:
Breastfed baby
During the first 6 weeks, the frequency of bowel movements in newborns will be quite frequent, especially after breastfeeding. At least the baby will defecate 3 times a day, but the frequency can sometimes be more often up to 4-12 times a day.
If your baby's stools are runny, don't panic. yes Bun. This indicates that the baby absorbs the nutrients contained in breast milk well. The stools of newborns who are breastfed tend to be more watery during the first 3 months.
When colostrum has turned into mature breast milk, which is about 2-3 days after giving birth, the baby has at least 2-5 bowel movements a day. Colostrum is the liquid milk that comes out before milk production begins.
After passing meconium, the color of the stool of a breast-fed newborn will turn yellowish green.
Formula-fed babies
Newborns who are fed formula normally have a bowel frequency of 1-4 times a day. However, after one month, the frequency can decrease to once every 2 days.
The consistency of the stools of babies fed formula will be stickier and denser like peanut butter. If the texture is harder, your baby may be constipated.
After passing the meconium, the color of the stool of a formula-fed baby will turn yellowish green. This is normal for babies. So, don't panic if there is a change in your little one's stool.
Causes of Changes in the Frequency and Consistency of Newborn CHAPTER
In about 6 weeks after birth, it is still normal for the baby to have a lower frequency of bowel movements than before. However, it doesn't matter if the baby still has frequent bowel movements.
When entering the age of 6 months, babies have switched to eating solid foods (MPASI). This transition will make the frequency of bowel movements and stool texture in infants change. Not only that, the transition from breastfeeding to formula milk can also cause changes in the frequency, consistency, and color of the baby's bowel movements.
In infants who were previously breastfed, the frequency of bowel movements will be more frequent when they eat solid food. Whereas in infants who were previously given formula milk, the frequency of bowel movements will be 1-2 times a day after consuming solid food.
When your baby starts eating solid foods, the consistency of the stool, which is initially runny or shaped like peanut butter, will harden and have a strong odor.
Signs of baby defecation to watch out for
Even though your newborn baby often has bowel movements, it's a normal thing to happen, you still shouldn't be careless. Mothers still have to be vigilant to make sure your little one is always healthy and growing well.
Mothers need to take your little one to the doctor immediately if he experiences the following symptoms:
- The stools appear black, bright or whitish, maroon or bloody
- CHAPTER more than usual to more than 3-4 times and contains a lot of mucus or loose stools
- Weak and don't want to drink or eat
- Not active as usual
- Dry lips
- Cry without shedding tears
Mothers also have to be alert when the frequency of the baby's bowel movements which previously often became rare. Especially if it is accompanied by the consistency of hard, dry stools, and the little one looks difficult to expel.
Within a few months of life, newborns can also experience diarrhea. This can make him dehydrated. Therefore, you need to immediately take your little one to the doctor if he has diarrhea.
When taking your little one to the doctor, tell him all the information needed, such as frequency, color, consistency, to the volume of bowel movements. This information is important to help doctors diagnose health problems that occur in your little one.
With the explanation above, you don't need to worry if your little one has frequent bowel movements, especially the first 6 weeks of his birth. However, do not hesitate to immediately consult a pediatrician if you find an abnormal color of stool or the frequency of your little one's bowel movements is not as usual.