Everything About the Stool of Bottle-Fed Babies

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

The diaper contents of a bottle-fed baby look different from those of a breastfed baby. We know this from ourselves, as the type of food naturally shapes the stool. Nevertheless, this topic greatly concerns parents. Is my baby's stool normal? 

Bottle-fed babies have different stools than breastfed babies

What does the stool of bottle-fed babies look like? The stool of bottle-fed babies is mushier than that of breastfed babies. Sometimes it is also already formed. The color of the stool ranges from light yellow to dark green - the range of colors is broad. The smell is often more intense compared to the diaper contents of breastfed babies.

Are you breastfeeding your baby? We have discussed the color and consistency of breast milk stool in this blog.

All about the stool of bottle-fed babies

Your baby is undergoing an incredible development. After birth, the digestive system begins to work, but it is not yet fully matured. Additionally, it can sometimes swallow too much air while drinking, which can lead to flatulence.

However, your baby is acclimating to this new world day by day - this also applies to the digestive system. Certain processes need to develop first.

Photo by @isabelplett

The digestive system changes

Developmental spurts are part of it and have a significant impact on digestion. This applies not only to newborns or children but also to adults. Factors such as stress or travel can also sometimes cause changes in our intestines.

That your child's digestion constantly changes during the first year is therefore completely normal. The diaper contents will continually provide surprises during this time.

Color and Consistency of Stool in Bottle-fed Babies

After birth, babies excrete meconium, whether breastfed or bottle-fed, it makes no difference here. Subsequently, shaped by the type of nutrition, the stool varies.

In bottle-fed babies, the color ranges from light yellow through ochre to clay brown. However, this can also vary: sometimes the stool is colored dark green.

The consistency also differs from the excretions of breastfed babies. While breastfed children often have more liquid stools, those of bottle-fed babies are usually mushier or even already formed.

What does green stool in bottle-fed babies mean?

There can be various reasons why a baby has green stool, but they are not concerning.

Bottle-fed babies have green stool more often than breastfed babies. The discoloration can come from hydrolyzed protein in HA formula or from the addition of iron in infant formula.

Is a baby's stool allowed to smell?

The smell of stool depends on the diet. The meconium, which is excreted after birth, has almost no odor. Breast milk stool smells very mild - some even describe it as aromatic.

In bottle-fed babies, however, it often smells more intense and can also be perceived as pungent.

How often should a bottle-fed baby have a bowel movement?

Bottle-fed babies have bowel movements approximately several times a day to at most every two days. However, this is just a guideline - after all, every baby develops a little differently. In general, bottle-fed babies have more bowel movements than breastfed babies.

Over time, the frequency of bowel movements decreases

The frequency of bowel movements is not only individual for each child but also changes over time. Initially, it may happen that there is stool after every meal. The older your child gets, the less frequently they have bowel movements.

This is due to development: About three to four weeks after birth, the intestines mature and can utilize more nutrients. The result is firmer and less frequent bowel movements.

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When digestion causes discomfort

Digestive discomfort in infants is not uncommon. As parents, it is difficult to endure when your own baby is in pain. You can support your baby, but many issues are simply developmental and therefore harmless.

Constipation in infants

Constipation can occur repeatedly in newborns. If the bowel movements are dry and hard over a longer period, this may indicate constipation.

Additives to soften the stool are not necessary as long as the baby is still drinking formula milk. Special milk is also not needed in most cases. When you start with complementary foods, fiber-rich foods will support digestion.

Tummy massage against constipation and flatulence

A tummy massage can work wonders for constipation: You gently massage your baby with a finger around the belly button. This movement helps the intestines get going and relieves the constipation.

Alternatively, warmth is also a good option. Whether it's a cherry pit pillow or a hot water bottle - the warmth promotes digestion. This is not only helpful for constipation, but it can also reduce flatulence. Especially bottle-fed babies often swallow too much air while drinking at first, which then accumulates in the stomach. A burp after drinking helps expel the air again.

Hard and dry stool

Does your baby have to strain a lot during bowel movements and cry? This is not uncommon. For a newborn, it is not so easy to push out stool. This is due to processes that have not yet been perfectly adjusted in digestion. Watery stool does not necessarily mean diarrhea.

Creamy-firm stool is normal in bottle-fed babies. However, it can occasionally be a bit more liquid - which is absolutely normal.

Photo by @madame.vio

What is considered diarrhea?

Diarrhea is defined as when your baby has more than five watery stools with an unusual amount, color, or smell within 24 hours. Other sources, however, speak of three bowel movements in 24 hours.

The reason for these different statements is simple: babies are incredibly different and develop at their own pace.

Diarrhea is mostly harmless

Watery stool does not necessarily mean that there is an infection behind it. Other changes in the baby's life can upset the digestive system. Just like constipation, diarrhea is part of the first year of life - but it is mostly absolutely harmless.

As parents, we can usually rely on our intuition and the connection to our baby.

Three-month colic

Three-month colic are persistent, recurring abdominal pains in infants aged about two weeks to four months. The symptoms can vary, but they typically occur in the late afternoon or evening hours.

The symptoms of three-month colic include flatulence, cramps, restlessness, persistent crying, and difficulties falling asleep.

These are the causes of three-month colic

The exact causes of three-month colic are not fully known, and it's unclear why they occur more frequently in bottle-fed babies than in breastfed children. Experts believe there are several factors that contribute to the development of colic:

1. Immature digestive systems
   In newborns and young infants, the digestive system is not yet fully mature. Therefore, it may take longer for food to be digested, leading to flatulence and abdominal pain.

2. Sensitivity to ingredients
   Some babies may be more sensitive to certain ingredients in milk formula, leading to digestive issues and colic.

3. Swallowed air
   If babies swallow air while drinking, it can lead to flatulence and discomfort.

4. General restlessness
   Some babies are naturally more restless and react more sensitively to changes in their environment, which can lead to colic-like symptoms.

It is important to note that three-month colic usually subsides on its own after a few weeks. While three-month colic can be very burdensome for parents, they are usually harmless and have no long-term effects on the child's growth or health.

What helps with three-month colic

As with constipation and flatulence, tummy massages and warmth are helpful here. You can also prepare a bottle with fennel tea. Babies often feel more secure and calm when they are rocked or carried. Cradle your baby in a swing or a sling to help them relax.

A change of position can bring relief: Hold your baby upright while feeding to reduce the pressure on the stomach.

Photo by @isabelplett

What should I consider when changing my bottle-fed baby?

The cloth diapers from Judes can be used from the very first day of life. Whether you breastfeed your baby or bottle-feed makes no difference when changing diapers. As long as your baby is not eating solid foods, the stool remains completely water-soluble.

Change diapers hygienically and sustainably with Judes cloth diapers

To start, you only need a cover and an inner diaper. The Poo Paper, as we call the diaper liner at Judes, can be left out (for now). However, some parents still use it to protect the inner diaper.

When your baby's diaper is full, it goes into the breathable wet bag. After three to four days, it goes into the washing machine, where it automatically empties itself thanks to the zipper on the bottom. You can read more on the topic of washing in this blog.

This makes changing diapers with Judes cloth diapers so uncomplicated. Instead of piling up disposable diapers in the trash, you have a full wet bag to put in the washing machine.

Conclusion

Our digestive system changes significantly after birth, especially during the first year, a lot happens in your baby’s tummy. This also affects your baby's stool: color, consistency, smell, and amount can vary greatly. The shades range from light yellow to clay-colored to dark green. The stool of bottle-fed babies smells more intense compared to that of breastfed babies.

Bottle-fed babies generally have less stool than breastfed babies. As a guideline: several times a day to at least every two days is normal. The stool is firmer than that of breastfed babies. A creamy consistency is common, and the stool may also be already formed.

Sometimes your baby may suffer from constipation or flatulence. While this is not pleasant, it is part of development. Gentle tummy massages and warmth help your baby.

Trust your intuition

As parents, we can trust our intuition during this time. No one knows your child better than you do, and you usually feel what they need.

However, it is normal for changes to unsettle us. Always keep in mind when changing diapers that your baby is in the middle of development. This influences our digestion - whether as a child or as an adult.