Baby Poo is Phenomenal Stuff.

Diarrhoea

In little babies, diarrhoea is mainly water, in older babies, it’s super sloppy, runny poo.  Both age groups are at risk of dehydration very quickly. Call your doctor should the diarrhoea not stop after 2 or 3 nappies over one or two days. The cause can be an illness, infection or an allergy and should especially be given medical attention quickly if accompanied by pain, fever or rash.

Diarrhoea is different to breastmilk poos in that it will contain much more water, so it’s likely to go everywhere. Though both can be explosive, diarrhoea will be so runny you’ll probably just turn the bath tap on rather than attempt a clean-up of that magnitude.

Constipation

Poo pebbles are not uncommon in babies after solid food has been introduced and can usually be remedied by increasing water intake or giving some watered down pear or prune juice.

In little ones that are exclusively breastfed or formula fed, constipation can be a sign that they have a sensitivity or intolerance to something. Sometimes babies can become constipated when they are first given formula, in which case Coloxyl drops can be added to their bottle for a few feeds to help soften their stools.

All that pushing on hard or compacted poo can give the little ones a very sore bottom, there may be some blood in the nappy from small tears in the anus (which can become fissures if constipation is ongoing) so applying some soothing and protective cream like Bepanthen will give them relief and also assist healing.

Any ongoing (more than two or three days) constipation problems would be best talked about with your Doctor.

Mucousy or Bloody Poos

There’s a possibility that a small amount of mucous in stools is from teething, when the drool is going down the throat instead of out the mouth. If so you might see a bit now and then, if mucous is consistent, it’s time for the Doc.

Blood in poos which is bright red, is either usually a protein allergy or a bacterial infection (most likely with diarrhoea also) and also means time for the Doc, we’re talking STAT.

Hygiene

Most baby poo knows no boundaries, it will often show up wherever it pleases (think number 3’s, all over baby and number 4’s, all over you) and at times you’ll miss a bit and wonder what that smell is all over the house all day”¦only to find at shower time, it’s you! It was a night my husband was fussing over his clothes because of some food our toddler had fired at him while feeding him his dinner when it happened to me. Breastfeeding a baby in one arm and trying half assed to eat my own dinner, I lost it and yelled ‘Stop fussing over pumpkin on your shirt. I had baby shit under my nails today. SHIT.UNDER. MY.NAILS. It might still be there! When you have had that happen, then you can fuss, now sit down and feed that child please!’

Our standards can slip a little when your changing your fifteenth nappy of the day then forgo washing your hands to answer the phone, and don’t put the nappy in the bin straight away (I’ll pick it up in just a moment..) in order to stir the pasta on the stove. It’s hard when you’re busy juggling, but it’s so very important to remember to take the time for the sake of your own health and your baby’s health. If you’re out and about take a portable change mat to protect bub and use the baby wipes on your hands when you’re done or pack a hand sanitiser.

Try to avoid chewing your nails too.

Have you ever had a baby poo explosion while you were out??

If you become concerned about any symptoms please seek immediate medical attention we have some hotlines and suggested websites for further information and advice: https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/babies/important-hotlines-websites/

SAHM takes no responsibility for any illness, injury or death caused by misuse of this information. All information provided is correct at time of publication.