Most of the new mothers are worried about the bowel movements of their newborn babies. They often wonders if the bowel movement is proper or not (especially considering the fact that the poop of babies change many forms after birth). Infant’s bowel habits are unique and with time settle naturally in accordance with the feeding and digestive habits.
Infants have the habit of following typical pattern of bowel movements. During their initial days of life, they pass meconium which is dark green or black in color and is a thick substance which is present in their intestines before birth. In most cases, babies pass meconium during the first 24 hours of their birth. Formula fed babies start their yellow, green, tan or brown color bowel movements after the first tarry stool.
Formula Fed Babies’ Poop--What's It Like?
The stool of formula fed baby is totally different from the stool of breastfed baby. You may observe that
- The texture of stool is bulky (similar to toothpaste) as compared to the breastfed baby’s stool. The reason behind is breast milk is digested easily whereas formula milk usually takes time.
- It is yellowish brown or pale yellow in color
- The smell is stronger (similar to the smell of adult’s poop)
Formula Fed Babies’ Poop--What's the Frequency?
Another important finding for mothers is that babies of age 1 or 2 months typically pass several bowel movements in a day which continues for several weeks; other babies may poo less frequently. As long as your baby is passing stool with the right texture, the frequency is usually not an issue to be concerned about. The cause of concern is the thickness of stool. As you introduce solid foods and cereals in the diet of a baby you will notice the dramatic change in frequency, consistency, odor and color of bowel movements.
Formula Fed Babies’ Poop--What If They Get Constipation?
The consistency of formula fed baby’s poop is firmer as compared to breastfed babies and is much more comparable to peanut butter’s consistency. However, if you notice hardness in it then this might be the sign of constipation. If you are worried about your baby’s constipation, do not delay consulting your pediatrician. If the baby is below the age of 4 months then do not feed him anything besides formula milk or ask you’re pediatric. You may unintentionally divest the important nutrient from your baby if you give him juice, water or electrolyte solution. However, babies above 4 months of age can drink few ounces of water in a day but consulting with pediatric is a better option to solve the constipation issue.
How to Treat Constipation in Formula Fed Babies
Consult your doctor before trying anything at home to ease the discomfort. Your doctor may ask you to bring the baby for examination. Your doctor might suggest the following home treatments for the baby’s discomfort.
- Move gently the legs of baby in bicycling motion. This helps the hard poo moves along his intestine.
- If the baby is on formula milk then give him extra water for drinking in between feeds and avoid diluting the formula. Follow the recommended dosage of milk powder while making bottle for baby. Adding excess powder can cause constipation.
- Your doctor may also advise to use different brand of formula milk.
- If you have started solid diet for your baby then give him plenty of water and dilute fruit juices.
- Adding fiber in the older baby’s diet will also help in constipation problem. Fruits like apricots, chopped apples, grapes, blueberries, prunes, plums, strawberries and raspberries are rich in fiber. Adding high fiber cereals in baby’s breakfast is also beneficial.
- If the baby is struggling seriously and he had his last bowel since few days then placing a glycerin suppository into the baby’s anus may also help. These suppositories are not harmful and can be use occasionally.
- Avoid using enemas, stimulant laxatives or mineral oil for treating infant’s constipation.
Video--Baby Massage Colic Constipated Gassy Relief:
Formula Feeding---How to Properly Bottle Feed Your Baby
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Steps |
Instructions |
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Clean all utensils |
It is important to clean baby’s bottles and nipples. Place the filled bottle in a pan having water. Let the water boil gently for 25 minutes. You can also microwave to sterilize all the utensils or use a steaming machine to do the work. |
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Read directions |
It is important to follow the exact directions mentioned on the formula milk by the manufacturer. Adding extra water in baby’s bottle will not provide sufficient nutrients and calories which a baby requires. Adding excess formula powder in your baby’s bottle can cause dehydration or diarrhea |
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Prepare formula |
The water which you are about to use for making formula should be boiled. Always make formula milk with boiled water. If you had prepared the formula in advance for baby then store it in refrigerator. If for any reason the formula is left out of refrigerator for more than hour, do not use it. If the formula is 24 hours old then discard it. |
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Warm refrigerated formula |
Most of the infant do not like to drink cold milk and they preferred milk at room temperature. For warming the formula place the container in a water pan and place the pan on stove at low heat. Rotate the container frequently. |
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Correct feeding position |
Cradle the baby in half upright position and give support to his head. Do not feed the baby in lying down position as the formula milk can flow down to the middle ear and cause infection. To prevent the baby from air swallowing during nipple sucking, tilt his bottle so the milk covers the nipple and neck of bottle. |
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Note baby’s intake |
It is important to note the intake quantity of formula of your baby. During the first few weeks, your newborn will probably consume 2 to 4 oz. milk and gets hungry after every 2 hours or 4. It is important to feed your baby when he demands. If the baby is not interested then do not force him for finishing the bottle and if he is sucking the nipple of empty bottle willingly then give him more. |
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Burp your baby |
Swallowing air during feeding makes the babies cranky and fussy. To prevent this issue make a habit to frequently burp your baby. Following are 3 positions for burping baby.
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Here is a video that shows more on how to correctly formula feed your baby:
