From the Research
Normal stooling patterns in neonates vary widely, but breastfed infants typically have more frequent, softer, and yellow-colored stools, while formula-fed infants have firmer, tan to brown stools with a stronger odor, as observed in a study of 600 healthy Dutch infants 1.
Stooling Patterns in Neonates
The stooling patterns of neonates can be influenced by their feeding habits, with breastfed infants having a higher average daily defecation frequency than formula-fed infants, as shown in a study published in the Archives of disease in childhood. Fetal and neonatal edition 1.
- Breastfed infants have softer and more yellow-colored stools, while formula-fed infants have firmer and more green-colored stools, with 50% of stools being green-colored at the age of 3 months 1.
- The defecation frequency of breastfed infants decreases significantly during the first 3 months, from 3.65 to 1.88 times per day, whereas no significant changes are observed in formula-fed infants 1.
- The quantity of stools does not differ significantly between breastfed and formula-fed infants, but there is a negative correlation between defecation frequency and quantity 1.
Clinical Implications
It is essential to recognize normal stooling patterns in neonates to identify potential issues, such as constipation or gastrointestinal obstruction.
- Parents should be concerned if a newborn fails to pass meconium within 48 hours, has white or clay-colored stools, bloody stools, or shows signs of discomfort with bowel movements.
- The study on chronic constipation in adults 2 and constipation in adults 3 provides valuable insights into the evaluation and management of constipation, but its relevance to neonates is limited, and the focus should be on recognizing normal stooling patterns in this age group, as described in the study of healthy term infants 1.