Breastfeeding is an important way to ensure the healthy growth of newborns, and many mothers are eager to understand how to determine if a baby’s stool is normal. Here are some characteristics of newborn stool and the health information it reflects under breastfeeding:
1. Yellow stool with separation of stool and water: If a baby’s stool is yellow, and the stool separates from the water, and the frequency increases, this may be a sign of indigestion, indicating a high sugar content in breast milk. At this time, mothers should moderately reduce the intake of sugar and starchy foods.
2. Frequent stools containing undigested food: When stools are frequent and contain partially digested food particles, it may be due to excessive fat content in breast milk. Mothers can shorten feeding time to allow the baby to consume the protein-rich foremilk first to help improve digestion.
3. Hard and foul-smelling stools: If hard lumps appear in the stool with a smell like rotten eggs, this may be a sign of protein digestion issues or excessive protein intake. Mothers should control the consumption of high-protein foods (such as eggs, meat, and soy products).
4. Greenish loose stools with increased frequency: Greenish and infrequent stools usually indicate that the baby is not eating enough. Increasing the feeding amount usually restores normal stool.
5. Watery mucus stools with purulent odor: This may be a sign of intestinal infection and requires timely medical attention.
As for normal stool conditions, breastfed infant stools are mostly golden yellow, loose in texture, slightly acidic, with 2-5 bowel movements per day varying, gradually decreasing with age. Formula-fed infant stools tend to be pale yellow or tan, harder in consistency, and may have an unpleasant odor.
Each baby has different bowel habits, and it is important to observe the overall health status of the baby. If the baby is in good spirits and gaining weight normally, even if there are slight differences in bowel frequency, there is no need to worry excessively. However, if the baby’s stool suddenly undergoes significant changes, such as a sudden increase in frequency or persistent changes in characteristics, consult a doctor promptly.
By observing the baby’s stool, mothers can not only understand the quality of breast milk but also adjust their diet in a timely manner to ensure the baby’s healthy growth. Faced with individual differences in babies, maintaining observation and adjusting feeding strategies timely is crucial.
