Week 2

Bowel movements

You’re starting to grasp the obsession with newborn poop we talked about last week, right? You might find yourself looking over your partner’s shoulder as he or she changes the diaper to see the color and consistency, and you’re probably still worrying about the frequency. Don’t worry; you’re not going off the deep end – in fact, it’s quite rational. Tracking bowel movements is a way to make sure newborns are eating enough and staying healthy, so it might be alarming if the diaper contents suddenly look different. Here’s the scoop on poop in week two:

• Still expect 6 to 8 poops in a 24-hour period.
• If the baby’s eating habits and/or health hasn’t changed, a different consistency or even color is probably normal. If you’re concerned, check out this guide.
• Most newborn poop has now changed to a grainy yellow or brown.
  • Breast-fed babies will probably be producing a watery or creamy consistency.
  • If your baby is on formula, expect the stools to be a bit more formed.
• If you notice your baby is frequently passing what looks like green liquid, it might be diarrhea. If you suspect this is the case, call your pediatrician.
• The only signs of constipation are small, hard stools, possibly streaked with blood. Infrequent bowel movements and/or obvious straining don’t necessarily mean a newborn is constipated.
• Are you getting discouraged over using cloth diapers? In a few weeks your baby will pass only one or two stools a day, and they won’t always be so loose and explosive. So don’t feel down if you have to pick up a pack of Pampers or use a hybrid option.
• For more advice on diapering choices and techniques, read our advice last week.