Question
A three-month-old baby, primarily breastfed, has a defecation frequency of about once every three to four days. The mother has noticed that the baby’s appetite is not large, but the baby’s general condition is good. Over the past forty days, the baby’s defecation has remained consistent, with normal stool shape, neither diarrhea nor constipation. The parent wants to know if such a defecation frequency falls within the normal range?
Answer
According to the description, breastfed babies usually have yellowish soft stools, uniform in shape, resembling soft butter, and occasionally may have thin and slightly greenish stools with a sour taste but no odor. The average number of bowel movements per day is one to four times. If a baby has bowel movements four to five times a day, even seven to eight times, but remains in good overall health with normal weight gain, it should not be considered pathological. Additionally, if the baby sleeps well, is active, and gains weight, it indicates that the nutrients they are consuming are sufficient. For a baby to defecate every three to four days…