Diaper / Bowel Habits

Breastfeeding babies usually have yellow, soft or semi-liquid bowel movements that may look like seeds. They may have a bowel movement after each breastfeeding. Bottlefeeding babies usually have pale yellow to light brown bowel movements that are firmer in consistency with a stronger odor. They may vary in frequency from once every other day to four to seven times a day.

Constipated stools look like hard pellets. Your baby may “strain” with bowel movements, but this does not mean your baby is constipated. Call your pediatrician if there is blood or mucus in the bowel movement, if the baby has diarrhea (more than the normal number of stools) or if the stool becomes hard.