There is no general rule. Breastfed babies tend to poop more frequently than formula-fed babies. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
How often does a baby poop if breastfed?
During the first few days, at least once daily. The intestines must excrete the contents, including meconium, that formed during intrauterine development [1]. If mama's milk arrives immediately, babies can poop as many times as they've eaten. This is generally regarded as the norm.
After a few days, the range of what constitutes "normal" expands [1. At this point, the meconium has been eliminated, and the digestive system is rapidly adapting: the stool can be very liquid, very frequent (4-12 times per day), or skip an entire day. All of this will be considered the norm [1].
Is there any difference for formula-fed babies?
Bottle-fed babies tend to poop less frequently. In the first month of life, you can expect 1-4 poopy diapers per day, and later on, it may be even less. Formula-fed babies, like breastfed babies, have a wide range of what is considered normal in terms of bowel frequency.
Does color matter?
Yes, you should pay attention to the color.
First and second day: black or black-green, indicating meconium voiding.
Days three through six: green and yellow-green, showing that the baby had started to digest milk.
Following the sixth day: mustard or yellow, signifying a healthy digestive system.
However, approximately half of formula-fed babies' stools remain green or alternate between green and yellow. If a baby eats normally, sleeps well, and has no stomach ache, there is no need to be concerned [2].
When should I visit a doctor?
Consult a doctor if:
there is no stool for more than two days or the baby is struggling to poop;
the stool remains black on the third day after birth;
there is blood in the stool;
the stool is white [3].
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