Bowel Movements and Diaper Rash

Bowel movements

Just as every baby has his own feeding habits, he has his own bowel habits, too. You may notice changes in your baby’s stool. Occasional changes in the colour and consistency of stools are normal. A breastfed baby’s stool is usually yellow, mustard-colored, and is a thick or pasty liquid in his diaper.

A formula-fed baby usually has yellowish-tan, brown or green stools.

As long as your baby seems happy, gains weight steadily and shows no signs of being sick, don’t worry about changes in his bowel movements. Babies may have several bowel movements a day after the first few weeks of life, or even go a day or two without a movement. While it may not seem pleasant for your baby, it’s normal.

If your baby’s stools are small and pebble-like, he may be constipated. Constipation has nothing to do with how often he has a bowel movement. Don’t give him an enema, laxative or suppository until you’ve talked to your pediatrician.

If your baby’s stool is green, runny and frequent, it may be a sign of diarrhea. Check with your pediatrician if you think your baby has diarrhea.

Diaper rash

Almost every baby gets diaper rash at one time or another. This is the rash or irritation in the area covered by your baby’s diaper—redness or small bumps on any part of your baby’s body that comes into direct contact with his wet or soiled diaper. Babies usually get diaper rash because a soiled diaper is left on too long: the moisture in a wet diaper can cause the skin to become chapped, and the digestive agents in a stool-soiled diaper can irritate the skin. Your baby will probably be uncomfortable and irritable when he has diaper rash. Be sure to keep him changed and dry—it can be even more irritating for him when he’s sitting in a wet or dirty diaper.

You can help prevent your baby from getting diaper rash by:

• Keeping his diaper changed and keeping his diaper area clean and dry.

• Letting your baby’s bottom “air out” whenever possible.

If you’re using plastic pants or disposable diapers that it tightly around your baby’s legs and tummy, be sure that air can get inside your baby’s diaper.

If your baby still develops diaper rash, talk with your pediatrician about which lotion or ointment is best to use. Normally, diaper rash improves within two to three days.