Can a new born baby pass faeces
A lovely and important question!
Yes, a newborn baby can pass feces, also known as meconium, shortly after birth. Meconium is a thick, dark green or black substance that is present in the baby's intestines before birth. It's made up of waste products, such as bilirubin, that the baby ingested while in the womb.
In fact, meconium is usually passed within the first 24 to 48 hours after birth, and it's a normal part of the baby's digestive process. The first bowel movement, also known as the "meconium stool," is usually a sign that the baby's digestive system is functioning properly.
Here are some interesting facts about meconium:
- Meconium is sterile: Meconium is free from bacteria, which is unusual for feces. This is because the baby's gut is sterile at birth, and the meconium is a byproduct of the baby's digestive system before it's exposed to the outside environment.
- Meconium is dark: Meconium is typically dark green or black due to the high concentration of bilirubin, a yellow pigment that's produced when the body breaks down old red blood cells.
- Meconium is sticky: Meconium is often sticky and tar-like in consistency, which can make it difficult to clean up.
- Meconium is a sign of digestive health: The passage of meconium is a sign that the baby's digestive system is functioning properly and that the gut is starting to work.
After the meconium stool, the baby's stool will gradually change to a more normal, yellowish color as the gut flora (the good bacteria that live in the gut) starts to develop and the diet changes from breast milk or formula to solid foods.