Meconium
Meconium is your newborn's first bowel movement, typically passed within 24 to 48 hours after birth. It is dark greenish-black, thick, and sticky, made up of materials your baby swallowed in the womb, including amniotic fluid, mucus, bile, and skin cells. Unlike regular baby poo, it has almost no smell. Passing meconium is an important sign that your baby's digestive system is working properly. If your baby has not passed meconium within 48 hours, your care team will investigate to rule out conditions like Hirschsprung's disease or intestinal blockage.
What This Means for You
Understanding Meconium is an important part of your first days journey. In your baby's first year, you will hear this term from your paediatrician and in parenting communities. Knowing what it means helps you respond quickly and confidently.
Explore our Baby hubGood to Know
At KKH and NUH, nurses routinely check and document your newborn's first stool. If you deliver and go home early, watch for meconium at home and flag any delay to your paediatrician promptly.
Related Terms
Source: https://medlineplus.gov/infantandnewborncare.html
Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.
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