Everything About the Stool of Bottle-Fed Babies

The digestive system changes

Developmental leaps are something all parents know, and these have a big influence on digestion. This applies not only to newborns or children but also to adults. Factors like stress or travel can also cause changes in our intestines.

So, it's completely normal that your child's digestion changes constantly, especially in the first year. The contents of diapers will keep surprising you during this time.

Color and consistency of stool in bottle-fed babies

After birth, babies pass meconium; it doesn't matter whether a baby is breastfed or bottle-fed at this stage. Afterwards, however, the stool changes depending on the type of food given.

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

The consistency is also different from that of breastfed babies’ stools. While breastfed babies often have more liquid stool, bottle-fed babies’ stools are usually more mushy or even already formed.

What does green stool mean in bottle-fed babies?

There can be a variety of reasons why a baby has green stool—but usually, they are not a cause for concern.

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

Is it okay for a baby's stool to smell?

The smell of stool depends on nutrition. Meconium, which is excreted after birth, is almost odorless. Breast milk stool smells very mild.

In contrast, for bottle-fed babies, it often smells more intense and may also be perceived as pungent.

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

Bottle-fed babies pass stool between several times a day to at least every two days. However, this is only a guideline—after all, every baby develops a little differently. As a rule of thumb, bottle-fed babies have more bowel movements than breastfed babies.

The number of bowel movements decreases over time

The number of bowel movements is not only different for every child but also changes over time. At first, there might be a bowel movement after every meal. The older your child gets, the less frequently they will have bowel movements.

This is related to development: about three to four weeks after birth, the gut matures and can utilize more nutrients. The result is firmer and less frequent bowel movements.

Photo by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

The digestive system continues to mature.

When digestion causes problems

Digestive issues 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 many things are simply developmental and therefore harmless.

Constipation in infants

Constipation can occur again and again in newborns. If the stool is dry and hard for a longer period of time, this may indicate constipation.

Additives to soften the stool are not necessary as long as the baby is still drinking formula. In most cases, special milk is also not needed. When you start with complementary foods, fiber-rich foods will support digestion. However, if constipation becomes excessive, your child suffers from severe pain, or there is even blood in the stool, it is advisable to consult a pediatrician.

Abdominal massage for constipation and bloating

An abdominal massage can work wonders for constipation: Gently massage your baby’s abdomen with one finger around the navel. This movement helps stimulate the intestines and relieves constipation.

Alternatively, warmth is also a good choice. Whether it’s a cherry pit pillow or a hot water bottle—warmth encourages digestion. This is not only helpful for constipation, but can also reduce bloating. Always make sure that the temperature is appropriate and your child feels comfortable. Especially bottle-fed babies often swallow too much air while feeding in the beginning; this then collects in the stomach. A quick burp after feeding helps release the air.

Hard and dry stool

Your baby really has to strain during bowel movements and cries? That’s not at all unusual. For a newborn, it’s not so easy to push out the stool. This is due to digestive processes that are not yet perfectly adjusted. Watery stool, on the other hand, does not necessarily mean diarrhea.

Creamy-firm stool is normal for bottle-fed babies. But it can also be somewhat more liquid from time to time.

Photo by @madame.vio

What counts as diarrhea?

Diarrhea is defined as your baby having liquid stool more than five times within 24 hours, with an unusual amount, color, or smell. If your child generally has bowel movements rarely, even three stools in 24 hours might indicate diarrhea. 

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

Diarrhea is usually harmless

Watery stool does not necessarily mean there is an infection. Other changes in your baby’s life can upset the digestive system. Just as with constipation, diarrhea is a normal part of the first year of life—most of the time, it is absolutely harmless.

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

Three-month colic

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

Symptoms of three-month colic include bloating, cramps, restlessness, constant 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 is not clear why they are more common in bottle-fed babies than in breastfed babies. Experts believe there are several factors that contribute to colic:

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

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

3. Swallowing air:
   If babies swallow air while drinking, this can lead to bloating and discomfort.

4. General restlessness:
   Some babies are naturally more restless and respond 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. Although three-month colic can be very stressful for parents, it is normally harmless and does not have any long-term effects on your child's growth or health.

What helps with three-month colic

As with constipation and bloating, abdominal massages and warmth are helpful here. In particular, “cycling” can help. To do this, lay your baby on their back, bend their knees, and alternately push them gently toward the abdomen. The use of fennel tea or the like is not recommended before complementary feeding readiness. Even later, tea should not be a daily drink, as it is mainly intended for medical purposes. Babies also often feel safer and more calm when they are rocked or carried. Rock your baby in a swing or a baby carrier; this helps them relax.

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

Photo by @isabelplett

What should I keep in mind when diapering my bottle-fed baby?

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

Hygienic and sustainable diapering with Judes cloth diapers

For starters, you only need outer diaper and inner diaper. The Poo Paper, as we call the liner at Judes, can (for now) be left out. However, some parents still use it to protect the inner diaper. It lies as the uppermost layer in the diaper and catches stool. Afterwards, you can dispose of both hygienically.

If your baby's diaper is full, put it in the breathable diaper bag. After three to four days, this goes into the washing machine, where it will empty automatically thanks to the zipper at the bottom. You can read more about washing cloth diapers on our blog.

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

It is not something your baby is doing wrong; it is simply part of development.

Conclusion

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

Bottle-fed babies usually have bowel movements less frequently than breastfed babies. As a guideline: several times a day up to once every two days is normal. The stool is firmer than that of breastfed babies. A creamy consistency is common, and sometimes the stool can already be formed.

It is not uncommon for your baby to experience constipation or bloating. While this isn’t pleasant, it is part of development. Gentle abdominal massages and warmth can help your baby.

Trust your intuition

As parents, we should trust our intuition. No one knows your child better than you do, and usually you sense what your baby needs. 

Even so, it’s normal for changes to make us feel uncertain. Always keep in mind while diapering that your baby is in the middle of the development process. Both this and outside factors influence our digestion—whether as children or adults.