Understanding your child’s bowel movements

Should Katie be soiling her nappy so often?’ and ‘What consistency should Katie’s stools be?’. The answer to these questions of mine – like most things to do with parenting – is that every baby is different. Your little one’s bowel movements are dependent on a number of different factors, such as whether they’re breastfeeding and how fast their metabolism is.

If you are breastfeeding, then you can expect your baby to have a bowel movement up to eight times per day – usually a mustard-coloured stool that is fairly runny and has a pasty or seedy texture. If you are bottle-feeding, then your baby will probably need to poo less frequently. As I say though, every baby is different, and unless they seem distressed or you notice black, red or white colours in their stools, then their movements should be healthy. 

Even when your little one is old enough to toddle and start to chatter, they may still have accidents. We can probably all remember wetting or soiling the bed when we were growing up. It is a natural part of development and perfectly normal (just a little embarrassing as a toddler). Sometimes, even if a toddler is potty trained, they can become worried about going to the toilet, which results in them straining to hold it in. If you notice your little one doing this (you will see them struggling and regularly find that they have soiled their underwear) then you may like to talk to your doctor about using a stool softener. 

Using fitted cot sheets is an ideal way to ensure that, if your baby soils their nappy or your toddler has an accident during the night, they will still be as comfortable as possible and hopefully get a good night’s sleep. The sheets can also be easily taken off the cot mattress and washed so that they are fresh, cosy and clean by the time bedtime comes around again.

If you are concerned about your child’s bowel movements, then there’s no harm in taking them to the doctor. But, believe me, once you get used to the colour, consistency and size of your baby’s stools, you will soon be able to tell what’s normal for them.

Here at Slumbersac, our sleeping bags and nursery products are designed by mums to give your little one a safe and comfy night’s rest, whether they are in nappies or are fully potty trained. For more information and to view our fantastic range of sleeping bags for babies, toddlers and children, please visit our website.