A baby's digestion is constantly changing during the first year of life. Therefore, what ends up in your baby’s diaper or nappy also changes. A baby's first bowel movement is black and viscous. It is referred to as meconiumMeconium Kindspech Meconium is the name given to the newborn's first bowel movement. 12 to 48 hours after birth, the newborn excretes this black stool. In some cases, the baby has already excreted it in the mother's womb prior to birth. If this is the case, it may be necessary for medical measures to be taken immediately after birth. You should contact a paediatrician's office if the baby has still not passed the meconium more than 48 hours after birth.. Later, a baby’s stool will be soft or even liquid and its colour may be pale yellow to ochre. As soon as babies eat baby food, their stool changes again. It becomes firmer and smellier, and the colour often matches that of the food the baby has eaten. During the baby’s first check-ups, the colour of their stool is assessed using what’s known as a ‘stool colour chartStool colour chart Stuhlfarbkarte The stool colour chart is a tool for comparing a baby's stools to the colours of the different types of stools on the chart. The colour of the stool, for example, can be used to identify various illnesses. Especially in newborns, pale, colourless stools may indicate biliary disorders, which require quick treatment.’ in Germany. You can ask your midwife or paediatrician for a chart like this.
Black stool during a baby’s first week
It is normal for a newborn’s first stool to be black. This dark stool allows the baby to get rid of what was ingested in the womb. Cells, amniotic fluid, bile and mucus are excreted. The colour of a baby’s stool usually changes during the first five days. It turns green and eventually yellow. If the stool remains black or if you notice black stool in baby’s diaper at a later time, you should seek the advice of a paediatrician.
Yellow and ochre stool
Yellow or ochre: these are the colours usually found in the contents of younger babies' diapers. The stool is often slightly lighter in babies who are breastfed than in babies who drink formula. The smell and the firmness of the stool also differ. The stool of breastfed baby’s is less solid and smells less.
Light or white stool
Diaper content that is whitish or grayish may indicate a gall bladder disorder or liver inflammation. Doctors then speak of discoloured stool. If this is case, please make an urgent appointment with your paediatrician.
Red stool
Stool that is red in colour can have harmless causes. It can occur, for example, if your baby is already getting complementary foods and has been given beetroot. But there could also be blood in their stool. This is an indication of problems in your baby's stomach or intestines that need medical attention.
Painful defecation
If you notice that your baby is straining or even in pain when defecating, you should see a doctor. It is possible that the baby's stool is too hard. When the baby tries to push it out, small tears in the anal mucosa can occur. Some doctors may prescribe aids that stimulate the baby’s digestive system.
Diarrhoea in babies
A baby in the first year of life is considered to have diarrhoea if their stool is noticeably thin and if such excretions end up in the diaper more than five times a day. Make sure your baby drinks enough so they don't get dehydrated. If your baby suffers from frequent vomiting, they also need extra fluids. If you are breastfeeding your baby, you should nurse them more often now. If you are bottle feeding your baby, you can prepare special teas that you can get at the pharmacy. You should see a doctor if you are unsure and think your child may have an infection or allergy.
Flatulence and ‘three-month colic’
Called ‘three-month colicBaby colic Dreimonatskoliken Baby colic, also known as infantile colic, is a form of crampy abdominal pain that can occur in newborns between the second week of life and the fourth month of life. This pain is expressed by severe crying spells in otherwise healthy newborns. In many cases, however, it is not abdominal pain but other causes that trigger the crying. Visiting what’s known in Germany as a ‘crying clinic’ can help clarify the reasons for the crying.’ in German, it affects about a quarter of all babies. It often begins around the second week of a baby’s life. It often disappears around the third month. Affected babies are restless and cry a lot. The abdomen often becomes hard and bulges out. There are different opinions about the causes of these symptoms. Many experts suspect that certain bacteria are missing from the baby's intestine or are not present in sufficient quantities. Some babies' tummies distend because they swallow air when they cry or nurse too hastily. You shouldn't be alone with your worries, however. Your midwife or paediatrician can advise you.