Let’s Talk Dirty… Diapers

There is no one right answer about your baby’s poop frequency, color, smell, and texture.

Your baby’s poop is going to change over time and will be different depending on diet — breastfed, formula, solids all make a difference. When those changes happen, many (especially new) parents have serious questions.

Have you ever looked into your baby’s diaper and wondered:

• Is my baby sick?
• How do I know when my baby is constipated and when it’s a normal amount of time between dirty diapers?
• Is this color really okay?
• What consistency should my baby’s poop be?
• Shouldn’t my baby’s poop smell?

Yep, some parents are concerned that their breastfed darling’s poop doesn’t smell.

In this week’s video I’ve addressed some of those questions with special attention to breastfed vs formula fed babies.

Most babies in the US today are not exclusively breastfed before starting solids. If you’re supplementing breastfeeding with some formula, your baby will likely fall between the two scenarios I talk about in the video.

If you do introduce formula into your baby’s diet, your baby’s poop will likely change. Even if you’re just supplementing breast milk with formula, I’m afraid you can say goodbye to those smell-free dirty diapers days.

For more information on poop (or if I didn’t answer all your questions in this video):

• The Marvels of Meconium 
• The Consistency of Poop
• Babies and Constipation
• Diarrhea and Infants
• Stool Regularity

Who changes the diapers in your household? Do you share findings with your baby’s other parent? Be honest, it’s okay to talk dirty (diapers) with your significant other.