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 ourselves; the type of food naturally shapes the bowel movements. Nevertheless, the topic is very concerning for parents. Is my baby's bowel movement 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 more paste-like than that of breastfed babies. Sometimes it is already formed. The color of the stool ranges from light yellow to dark green - the range of colors is wide. The smell is often more intense compared to the diaper contents of breastfed babies.

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

All about the bowel movements of bottle-fed babies

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

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

Photo by @isabelplett

The digestive system changes

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

It is completely normal for your child's digestion to constantly change during the first year. The diaper contents will continue to be surprising during this time.

Color and consistency of stools in bottle-fed babies

After birth, babies excrete meconium, regardless of whether they are breastfed or bottle-fed. Afterwards, influenced by the type of feeding, the stool varies.

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

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 more paste-like or even already formed.

What does green stool mean in bottle-fed babies?

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

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

Can a baby's stool smell?

The smell of stool depends on the diet. The meconium excreted after birth has almost no smell. 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 pass stools approximately several times a day to at least every two days. However, this is just a guideline, as every baby develops somewhat differently. In general, bottle-fed babies have more bowel movements than breastfed babies.

Over time, the number of bowel movements decreases

The frequency of bowel movements is not only individual for each child but also changes over time. Initially, it may be that a bowel movement follows every meal. The older your child gets, the less frequent the excretions become.

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

Photo by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

When digestion causes discomfort

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

Constipation in infants

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

Additions to soften the stool are not necessary as long as the baby is still drinking formula milk. In most cases, special milk is also not needed. When you start complementary feeding, fiber-rich foods support digestion.

Abdominal massage for constipation and gas

An abdominal massage can work wonders for constipation: Gently massage your baby with a finger around the belly button. This movement helps get the bowel moving and relieves constipation.

Alternatively, heat is also a good choice. Whether it's a cherry pit pillow or a hot water bottle, warmth promotes digestion. This is not only helpful for constipation, but it can also reduce gas. Especially bottle-fed babies often swallow too much air while drinking in the beginning, and this collects in the stomach. A burp after drinking expels the air again.

Hard and dry stool

Does your baby have to strain a lot during bowel movements and cry? That is not particularly uncommon. For a newborn, it is not that easy to push out stool. This is due to processes in digestion that have not yet perfectly adjusted. 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 when your baby has more than five watery stools within 24 hours with an unusual quantity, color, or smell. Other sources, however, speak of three bowel movements in 24 hours.

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

Diarrhea is mostly harmless

Watery stool does not necessarily mean that an infection is present. 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 connection with the baby.

Colic

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 colic include bloating, cramps, restlessness, prolonged crying, and difficulty sleeping.

These are the causes of colic

The exact causes of colic are not fully known, and it is unclear why they occur more frequently in bottle-fed infants than in breastfed ones. Experts believe that 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 fully matured. Therefore, it may take longer for food to be digested, which can lead to bloating and abdominal pain.

2. Sensitivity to ingredients
   Some babies may be more sensitive to certain ingredients in milk formula, which can lead to digestive problems and colic.

3. Swallowed air
   When babies swallow air while drinking, it can lead to bloating 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 colic usually subsides on its own after a few weeks. Although colic can be very stressful for parents, it is typically harmless and has no long-term effects on the child's growth or health.

What helps with colic

As with constipation and bloating, abdominal massages and warmth can help here. You can also prepare a bottle of fennel tea. Babies often feel safer and more relaxed when they are rocked or carried. Rock your baby in a swing or a sling, which helps them to relax.

A change of position can provide relief: Hold them upright when feeding to reduce pressure on the stomach.

Photo by @isabelplett

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

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

Diaper 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, there are parents who use it to preserve the inner diaper.

If your baby's diaper is full, it goes into the breathable wet bag. This goes into the washing machine after three to four days, where it automatically empties itself - thanks to a zipper at the bottom. You can read more about washing in this blog.

This makes diapering with Judes cloth diapers so uncomplicated. Instead of plastic diapers piling up in the trash can, you have a full wet bag that goes into the washing machine.

Conclusion

Our digestive system changes significantly after birth, especially in the first year of your baby's life, a lot happens in the belly. This also affects your baby's bowel movements: color, consistency, smell, and quantity vary greatly. The color tones range from light yellow to clay color to dark green. The stool of bottle-fed babies tends to smell stronger compared to breastfed babies.

Bottle-fed babies usually have less frequent bowel movements than breastfed babies. As a guideline: Several times daily to at least every two days is normal. The bowel movements are firmer than those of breastfed children. A creamy consistency is usual, and the stool may also already be formed.

It is not unusual for your baby to suffer from constipation or bloating. While this is not pleasant, it is part of development. Gentle abdominal massages and warmth can 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 sense what they need.

Nonetheless, it is normal for changes to unsettle us. Always keep in mind when diapering that your baby is in the middle of development. This has an impact on digestion - whether as a child or as an adult.