DIRTY DIAPERS

CONTENT

Voiding

Stools or bowel movements

Constipation

Diarrhea

Signs of dehydration

VOIDING (MAKING URINE)

  1. Babies wet their diapers almost hourly. However, most of the time they are changed around feeding times, when they wake in the morning and when you put them down at night.
  2. Your baby’s diaper should be very wet 6-8 times in 24 hours.
  3. If the urine is dark or your baby has not wet his diaper 6-8 times a day, he may not be getting enough formula or breastmilk.

a.Notify the baby’s doctor

b.Babies become dehydrated (lose water and fluid) quickly

c.Babies who are sick do not eat well and do not wet as often.

STOOLS OR BOWEL MOVEMENTS

  1. Babies’ bowel movements (BMs) or stools are usually either yellow or dark brown in color by the time they go home. Frequency and color of bowel movements (BMs) or stools are related to individual differences and type of feeding.
  2. Some babies have a BM or stool with every feeding and some have a BM or stool every day or two. Do not worry about the time between BMs or stools unless the stool is like small hard pebbles.
  3. It is normal for babies to grunt, strain and turn red when having a BM or stool. This does not mean they are constipated!

CONSTIPATION

  1. If your baby’s stools are like little rocks he is constipated.
  2. The formula is not the cause of constipation. Iron in the formula is not the cause of constipation.
  3. Call the doctor if your baby is having frequent problems with his BMs or stools.
  4. Check with your baby’s doctor before using Karo syrup, laxatives, suppositories or offering juice. The doctor may increase the amount of liquid your baby drinks.
  5. If the problem continues for several days or your baby cries for a long period when having a BM or stool, call the baby’s doctor.
  6. If your baby has infrequent BMs or stools but is eating well and does not seem uncomfortable, do not worry.

DIARRHEA

  1. Diarrhea is watery stools or stools with a water ring around them. Normal BMs or stools are soft with some form or are mushy/pasty.
  2. Diarrhea can be a symptom of illness or food intolerance.
  3. Babies dehydrate (lose fluid and water) easily and quickly with diarrhea.
  4. If you baby has frequent watery stools in a short time (6-8 hours), call your baby’s doctor. He may change the baby’s feeding and have you feed your baby a special clear liquid that gives your baby minerals. You can buy it in most grocery stores.

SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION

  1. Dry mouth or thick saliva.
  2. Small amounts of dark urine in diapers or dry diapers.
  3. Soft spot (fontanel) on head sinks in when baby is held upright or in a sitting position.
  4. Skin forms a “tent” when pinched and stays pinched up.
  5. Dark circles around his/her eyes.
  6. Baby may be fussy, sleepy, not hungry, or difficult to wake up.
  7. CALL YOUR BABY’S DOCTOR IF THE BABY HAS ANY OF THESE SIGNS.

Reviewed/Revised: 11/96…..06/13

Dirty Diapers 1