Nappies

Your baby’s stools in their nappies will tend to be sticky and greeny black in colour called meconium the first few weeks after they are born, then they will change to a more yellow colour which will not smell if baby is breastfed. Bottle fed baby’s stools are a darker brown and smelly.

Earn Money Fast making and selling your own diaper cakes? a step by step guide here!

The milk formula your baby drinks sometimes makes a difference and some make babies motions dark green in colour,  Bottle fed babies stools are firmer than breastfed babies.

Some babies tend to have motions each time they feed, some especially breastfed babies can go without a bowel movement for a week. When your baby is trying for a poo then he/she will strain and may make a few odd noises, but if the stools are soft then your baby is not constipated.

From birth up until a few weeks old your baby’s stools will differ from day to day, if you do notice a dramatic change in the appearance or smell then always contact a Gp/health visitor for advice and get baby checked over.

Nappy changing

Baby’s bottoms are delicate, so whilst changing nappies always be gentle and don’t leave them in wet or soiled nappies for long as their bottom will become red, chapped, and will be very uncomfortable for baby.

Remember before changing nappy to make sure you have everything you are going to need for the change and change baby somewhere low down so baby doesn’t fall.

Things to remember for nappy change:

Changing mat or towel

Nappy

Baby wipes (fragrance free/alcohol free)

Cotton wool

Bowl of warm water

Baby lotion

Clean clothing if necessary

Always remember to wipe from front to back so you don’t cause any infection and use mild baby soap and plain warm water.

Nappy rash

The majority of babies at some point get nappy rash, this is commonly caused by the skin being in contact with urine an bacteria from stools whilst having a dirty nappy on too long, which burns and irritates babies skin.

Other causes for nappy rash include;

Changes in diet due to weaning

Rubbing and chaffing

Strong soap or bubble bath

Diarrhoea

Teething causes redness of the bottom

Baby wipes containing alcohol

Sensitive skin

To protect baby from getting a nappy rash try to change as soon as you possibly can when babies nappy becomes wet or soiled, usually between 10 to 12 times a day a new baby needs changing. Make sure the whole of the nappy area are cleaned and patted dry very well and wiping from front to back.

If nappy rash does occur then there are plenty of nappy rash creams on the market to use and do the cleaning and drying properly to ensure no more germs can infect babies bottom and make the problem worse.

If possible when ever you get a chance to let your baby roam free on a towel or baby changing mat, without a nappy on to let their bottom’s breathe and get fresh air to them. Never leave a baby unattended on a floor or higher level as he/she could fall and have a serious accident.

Awful feelings or thoughts about either your own health, your child or partners