Bowel+Habits
What is a baby`s stool made up of and how do these things influence its colour and consistency?
The stools of babies are made of a mixture of undigested food, waste
products of the body, bacteria, mucus, cells shed from the lining of the gut,
and water.
Their colour is due primarily to certain bile pigments which are naturally excreted in the stool.
The bulk and consistency of the stools is determined largely by the balance between the amount of water and ‘non-digestible’ material (which holds water and makes the stools moist) within them.
The amounts of water and non-digestible material in the stools (and hence their size, and consistency) is affected by the milk and/or food that the baby is taking.
There is a relatively wide variation in what is normal, in terms of colour, size, shape, consistency and frequency.
Their colour is due primarily to certain bile pigments which are naturally excreted in the stool.
The bulk and consistency of the stools is determined largely by the balance between the amount of water and ‘non-digestible’ material (which holds water and makes the stools moist) within them.
The amounts of water and non-digestible material in the stools (and hence their size, and consistency) is affected by the milk and/or food that the baby is taking.
There is a relatively wide variation in what is normal, in terms of colour, size, shape, consistency and frequency.
What colour is normal for a baby`s stools?
The normal colour of the stools of babies can be very variable – from
pale yellow to dark green or brown. The colour is due primarily to certain bile pigments which are naturally
excreted in the stool.
The stool in nappies can sometimes be mixed with urine, which can affect its colour.
The stools passed by the newborn baby are black, sticky and tarry. During the first week after birth they gradually change to a paler colour.
The stools of breast fed babies are generally paler yellow and softer than those of the bottle fed infant.
The colour of the stools often changes when babies start solids.
The stools of toddlers are usually brown; they may contain bits of food.
The stool in nappies can sometimes be mixed with urine, which can affect its colour.
The stools passed by the newborn baby are black, sticky and tarry. During the first week after birth they gradually change to a paler colour.
The stools of breast fed babies are generally paler yellow and softer than those of the bottle fed infant.
The colour of the stools often changes when babies start solids.
The stools of toddlers are usually brown; they may contain bits of food.
What are the normal size, shape, consistency and frequency of the stools of babies and toddlers?
The size, shape, consistency and frequency of the stools of babies can
be very variable.
The stools of babies are generally small and can range from soft and mushy to firm and formed. The stools of breast fed babies are generally larger and softer than those of bottle fed babies.
Breast fed babies dirty their nappies more frequently (up to 5 or 6 times a day) than bottle fed babies (around twice a day) during the first four months of life. However some healthy breast fed babies can go for several days without passing a stool.
The colour, texture and frequency of the stools often change in bottle fed babies if the formula milk is changed.
When babies start solids their stools become more formed, darker and are passed less frequently (average twice a day). The stools may also become ‘smellier’.
Healthy toddlers generally open their bowels once a day and produce a soft stool of the size of a small sausage.
‘Bits of food’ are often to be seen in the stools of normal healthy toddlers.
The stools of babies are generally small and can range from soft and mushy to firm and formed. The stools of breast fed babies are generally larger and softer than those of bottle fed babies.
Breast fed babies dirty their nappies more frequently (up to 5 or 6 times a day) than bottle fed babies (around twice a day) during the first four months of life. However some healthy breast fed babies can go for several days without passing a stool.
The colour, texture and frequency of the stools often change in bottle fed babies if the formula milk is changed.
When babies start solids their stools become more formed, darker and are passed less frequently (average twice a day). The stools may also become ‘smellier’.
Healthy toddlers generally open their bowels once a day and produce a soft stool of the size of a small sausage.
‘Bits of food’ are often to be seen in the stools of normal healthy toddlers.