Laraeeb Abbasi

ISM-Period 6

Metaj, Mirela, et al. "Comparison of Breast- and Formula-Fed Normal Newborns in Time to First

Stool and Urine." Journal of Perinatology, vol. 23, no. 8, 2003, p. 624. Academic

OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&u=j084910009&v=2.1&id=GALE

%7CA183335392&it=r&asid=19359d91593871a0b6fc74bda382ac6e. Accessed 30 Mar.

2017
Passage of an infant's first meconium stool is often used as a screen for a normal GI tract .
Studies done throughout America have shown that 94% and 98.7% of infants had there first
meconium stool by 24 hours
These studies were performed some time ago when practices in the normal newborn nursery
were likely quite different from current practices.
There has been an increase in the last two decades of mothers breastfeeding their infants so it is
important to it is important to document the effect, if any, on the time to first stool and first urine
since the content, frequency and volume of feeds are different in breast- and formula-fed infants
Breast fed infants are found to normally be fed much earlier than formula fed infants
Breast fed infants also were fed significantly more
Breast fed infants had an average of one more feeding in the first and second 12 hours of life
compared to the formula fed infants
Breast fed infants were discharged earlier in comparison to formula fed infants
The breast-fed infants were found to have lost more weight than the formula-fed infants and were
96% of their birthweights vs 98% of their birthweight, respectively, at the time of the second
weight post birth
It was found that breast fed infants were found to urinate much earlier than formula fed infants
however, there was not much of a significant difference in time to first stool between the two
groups of babies
The presence of meconium in the amniotic fluid normally is an indicator of gut peristalsis or fetal
stress
In the past few decades, doctors began encouraging formula feeding over breast feeding,
however, it is becoming known that this was not the most viable option because the pros of breast
feeding are much greater
Breastfeeding is now known to be good for babies in multiple ways
Breastfeeding has been found to provide natural antibodies that help your body resist illnesses
such as such as ear infections
Breast milk is also more easily digestible for infants than most formulas are

This source was quite helpful in recognizing the pros and cons found by doctors and researchers about the
relationship of breast-fed babies versus formula fed babies in relation to the babies first time urinating or
passing stool. In the nursery, it is very important to know and record a babys first stool and urination to
ensure the babies GI tract and urinary systems are working properly and to ensure the infant has no
diseases or disorders.