Breastfed stool appearance - darker and somewhat slimy?

by Krys
(Brooklyn, NY)

Hello Liz,

I've been doing research on the Internet as to the normal appearance of a breastfed baby's stool. My son is currently 7 weeks old. In the hospital, I distinctly remember his stool being light yellow and seedy after it finished transitioning. This consistency continued until he was about 3 weeks of age. At that point, his stool became a much darker yellow color and certainly was not as "seedy" as it had been. It also looked kind of "slimy" to me. I brought this up to his pediatrician and she recommended I go on milk free diet. I've been on this diet for two weeks already, but his stool still looks the same. I believe his symptoms are due to an oversupply of milk (which I have). Therefore, I have been block feeding him for the past week. I've noticed a slight improvement in that his stools have lessened in frequency (he was stooling 8+ more times a day, now he's down to around 4-6, some of which are very small, and he's less gassy). I'm writing to you because I saw the picture you supplied on your website about the "normal" stool of a breast fed baby and am confused because it looks like my son's stool -- not the commonly seen "bright mustard seedy yellow." Can you please tell me if a stool that is darker with not many "seeds" is normal for a breastfed baby? In the picture, the stool looks a little slimy too, just like what I see when I change my son's diaper. I thought this was mucus, but now after seeing your picture, I'm wondering if I am overanalyzing his stool appearance? Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your time!

Krys

PS - I have included two pictures for your review.

Answer from the lactation consultant

Around the 2nd or 3rd week the composition of your milk changes. It becomes higher in fat and water soluble vitamins. At this time the baby's stooling habits can change due the milk changing. It is "normal" for a breastfed baby to stool with every feed or they can stool as little as once a week. Anything in between is normal. But I would say most breastfed babies under 3 months old stool between 10-12 times per day. Breastmilk is predigested so it travels through the gut at a high speed (thus causing gas too).
The frequency and symptoms you describe sound completely normal for a newborn. And the photos look very normal. NOT all babies will have seedy consistency. And if your baby were having a foremilk/hindmilk problem (oversupply), the stools would likely be foamy not slimy.
As long as baby is feeding between 8-12 times a day, is keeping the feedings down, is having a minimum of 6 wet and or dirty diapers in a 24 hour period AND is gaining weight: all is well. But if baby is extremely fussy, or not doing something listed above then he/she needs to be evaluated by the pediatrician.
I do not know what block feeding is but what I would suggest is feeding from one breast only per feed. Feed for 8-10 minutes burp and put back on the same breast until completely empty. This will ensure baby gets hindmilk.
If at any time your baby develops blood in the stool or refuses to feed, please seek immediate care from a physician.
Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.
BTW, you were my very last FREE web consultation. I have given away this service for a year and today I begin charging for it. Lucky you got your question in just in time to be free.
Liz Pevytoe, RN,IBCLC