About a newborn’s diapers
Changing diapers is what consumes most of our “tasks” as parents to a newborn baby. Did you know that your baby’s diaper can tell us a lot about many things, not just feedings.
1. Uric Crystals. It’s not uncommon to notice blood tinged urine in your newborn’s diaper in the first 3 days of life. If you’re exclusively breastfeeding especially, remember that the amount of food they get before your milk comes in is very small. Uric crystals after day 3 of life would be a sign of dehydration and would require a weighted feed to assess if baby is possibly not transferring (moving milk out of the breast) or if mother is experiencing a delayed milk entry.
2. Babies will finish passing the dark and sticky meconium typically in the first 4-5 days of life. Newborn stool that turns green, then yellow and seedy indicates a transition in mother’s milk too! Formula fed babies may finish passing meconium quicker depending on the amounts they’re drinking.
3. If you received antibiotics during or after your labor, you will be able to smell it in the baby’s urine the first week of life. This typically smells kind of yeasty but it’s ok, your urine probably smells the same.
4. Breast fed babies don’t typically get constipated. A lack of stool in a breast fed newborn may be related to their overall intake. Reach out to a lactation consultant to assess your milk supply and baby’s transfer if they seem uncomfortable, fussy, and have decreased diapers. Formula fed babies may experience more constipation due to the difference in digestion. If your baby seems uncomfortable, fussy, and has changes in their stool consistency, talk to your pediatrician about other formula options as well as tips to transition.
5. Breast fed baby GIRLS may have vaginal discharge and even period-like bleeding as a result of the hormones they are drinking through the breast milk. Don’t panic if you see this and always remember to wipe front-to-back.
6. To avoid you baby BOY peeing out of his diaper, make sure to always point their penis down when you close the diaper. 😉
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Every new parent knows that managing diapers is a significant part of caring for a newborn. It's important to note that the color and consistency of your baby's stool can provide insights into their feeding. For instance, the transition from meconium to yellow seedy stool indicates good breastfeeding progress. If you notice uric crystals in urine beyond the first few days, it may point to dehydration, suggesting a need for medical consultation or support from a lactation consultant. Additionally, factors like antibiotic use during labor can alter urine smell due to the mother's medications. Breastfed baby girls may occasionally experience hormonal-related discharge, while measures should be taken to prevent little boys from peeing out of their diapers by adjusting the diaper correctly. As your baby grows, maintaining open communication with pediatric professionals, especially regarding feeding modes—breast or formula—will ensure your baby's health is optimized. If your baby is fussy or experiencing inconsistencies with their stools, don't hesitate to consult with your doctor for tailored advice and solutions. Being informed about diaper changes can help in promptly addressing any issues that arise in these early, critical stages of development.