Most infants have bowel movements 2-3 times a day, which is considered normal. The stool is usually paste-like or soft, and infants tend to have more bowel movements due to their young age; as they grow older, the frequency of bowel movements decreases. There is no fixed number for the frequency of bowel movements in babies, as it is primarily determined by factors such as dietary changes and the frequency of feeding. The normal frequency of bowel movements in babies varies by age:
1. Newborn Babies: Newborn babies do not consume much food initially. Generally, while still in the mother's womb, babies consume amniotic fluid, shed epithelial cells, and some fetal hair. During this stage, babies will pass meconium. Typically, meconium is dark green or black. Since newborns do not consume salty foods, their excrement is odorless. During this period, babies usually have 3 to 5 bowel movements. If a newborn does not have a bowel movement after 24 hours of birth, parents should immediately check for symptoms of fecal impaction and seek medical attention promptly.
2. Babies One Week Old: After passing meconium, babies gradually have normal bowel movements. Within the first four months of life, breastfeeding is the primary feeding method. Therefore, the baby's stool is paste-like and relatively loose. It may also appear creamy, usually with a golden yellow color and a slightly acidic smell, but still odorless. Babies tend to have 2 to 4 bowel movements a day during this period. Therefore, newly born babies tend to have more frequent bowel movements. After one week of birth, the frequency of bowel movements stabilizes.
