Is Your Baby's Poop Normal? What Parents Need to Know - What to Expect

Описание: Maybe your baby's filling his diaper at an impressive pace, or maybe his poop pattern has slowed. If he's growing and thriving, don't sweat the poop numbers.

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Transcript:

After all these weeks of changing diapers, you'd think you'd be a pro when it comes to poop, but it's time to take a deeper dive in your baby's diaper, and get the new scoop on poop. Remember way back in your baby's newborn days, when every day seemed to bring a new record number of poops, a poop with every feed, maybe more? That prolific pooping was a sign that all was right in your baby's world, and in her diaper.
Maybe your baby's still filling his diaper at an impressive pace, especially if he's exclusively breastfed, or maybe his pooping pattern has slowed from that brisk early pace. He's pooping just a few times a day, instead of eight times, or maybe he's only pooping once a day, or even once every other day. Maybe he'll go five days without going, and then poop twice in the same morning.
Happily, there's no need to keep count of those dirty diapers anymore, even if your baby's breastfed. All you'll need to track now is your baby. If she's growing and thriving, don't sweat the poop numbers.
Concerned about constipation? Exclusively breastfed infants are rarely constipated, and even at this stage, their poops, no matter how frequently, or infrequently they arrive, are likely to be very soft, sometimes even watery. Formula-fed babies can get clogged up, but again, frequency won't clue you in, consistency will. If those poops are soft, and are delivered without a struggle, even if days pass between poops, your little pooper isn't constipated.
No need to jump to constipation conclusions, either, if baby grunts, groans, and strains when he poops. That's standard pooping practice for babies this age, even when passing soft poop. If your baby's poops are firmly formed before solids have been introduced, or are passed in hard pellets, she may be constipated. Check with the pediatrician to see if a change in formula might help get things moving, or a daily dose of baby probiotics. Another way to help move things along: try bicycling baby's legs at every diaper change, what I like to call poop aerobics.
Is all that poop and pee leaving its mark on your baby's sweet bottom? The bottom line on diaper rash is, it isn't pretty, or comfortable, but it comes with the diaper-wearing territory. That pesky red rash is triggered by a combination of too much moisture, too little air, a whole lot of friction, and irritants, like pee, poop, wipes, and detergents, which pretty much sums up what your baby's bottom is exposed to around the clock.
A change in diapers, to a different brand or from disposable to cloth, or to cloth that's been washed in a gentler soap, may help, as can more frequent diaper changes. When cleaning that baby bum, use products that are gentle and unscented. Try water wipes, cotton balls with warm water, or even a soft washcloth.
Then, give that bare bum some air time. In a rush? Blow on or fan it, to make sure that sweet bottom is completely dry before spreading a thick, protective layer of ointment or cream to prevent urine and poop from reaching his skin and irritating the rash further.
If the rash doesn't clear up, or at least start improving, in a day or two, or if it gets redder, check in with the doctor, who may prescribe a topical antifungal or steroid cream. Here's to happy baby bottoms.