Diaper Duty Facts

You may not love changing diapers, but the good news is, you’re hardly alone if you obsess about what’s inside them. Pee, poop, and gas may be the parent’s top concerns because they’re some of the few tangible ways to tell if your baby is healthy and getting enough nourishment. Having something to keep track of somewhat makes you feel more in control.

First there’s the baby poop. When it comes to this, it’s all about the variety in color, consistency, and frequency. At birth, they will excrete a dark sticky substance that may look a little too weird for you. Don’t fret because this is actually very normal. If you’re breastfeeding, it will be yellow, seedy, and runny.

Formula-fed babies have stools that are tan-colored and soft. If you see that it is greenish in color at times, this actually waste moving more quickly than usual through their digestive tract. If you see any form of mucus on your baby’s diaper, you need to call your pediatrician about it. A red or black bowel could also indicate a possible gastrointestinal bleeding or milk allergy.

You should also tell your doctor if you see signs of constipation. While doctors may differ on what constitutes as diarrhea, a good rule of thumb would be to see if your infant’s stools suddenly become much more watery and more frequent. Give him extra water for hydration and be sure to check in with your pediatrician if the problem persists.

As for the pee, his would be similar to that of a grownup. In the first few days after birth, you may see a reddish-pink dust in your baby’s diaper. This is just a chemical reaction between his early urine and the diaper. There’s no need to worry and expect that after about a week, he wets as many as six diapers daily. But if your baby is acting fussy, having fewer wet diapers that normal, producing crystallized urine, and crying, this could also be a sign of dehydration.

This is usually a sign that he is sick, but it may also be an indication that he isn’t getting the milk he needs. Either way, you should call your doctor. Cloudy or smelly urine could also be a sign of urinary tract infection. This is usually accompanied by fever, sluggishness, and vomiting. Go to the phone and dial your pediatrician so you can set an appointment at the soonest possible time.

Gas can also make your baby fussy, but this is normally not dangerous. This happens when your baby swallows air during feeding. You may want to change your breast position or go for special shaped bottles to help ease his feeling of discomfort. Gas drops and warm baths also help a lot. If you’re breastfeeding, foods that give you gas can actually manifest themselves with your baby as well.

If he is arching and crying during feeding time, this may be acid reflux. If his stomach looks bloated or feels harder to the touch than usual, don’t try to calm him down on your own. Your doctor should be the first person you run to for this.