Question
How many times a day should a newborn, aged 0 to 4 months and exclusively breastfed, defecate to be considered normal?
Answer
During the 0 to 4 month period, if a newborn is exclusively breastfed, their defecation frequency can be as high as 6 to 7 times a day, even up to 10 times. As the baby grows older, the frequency of defecation will gradually decrease, generally to 3 to 5 times a day. At this stage, the stool usually has no odor, may have a sweet or sour smell, and is typically golden yellow, yellow, or brown in color. The newborn’s stool is usually loose, resembling pasty or water-like, and may contain mucus or curdles. After 2 to 3 months, the stool will gradually become softer and thicker, but should not be hard.