Breast feeding is best for babies. As a sole source of nutrition for the first 6 months of life, it meets all their nutritional needs as Mother Nature intended.

There are many things to consider when choosing whether to give your baby formula and what product is right. If you think your baby needs a specialised formula, you should talk through with your healthcare professional. Our Careline team of registered dietitians and nutritionists are available to talk through what you are experiencing with your baby and to provide advice that is tailored to your situation. Please contact our Careline team for more information. Use the LiveChat or call us on 0800 438 500 in New Zealand or 1800 438 500 in Australia.

Once you’ve settled on a formula for your baby, it is not recommended to change too often. However, when you need to try a different product or transition to a new stage, we recommend that you gradually introduce them to the new products. Rest assured that any slight changes in digestion should be only minimal and temporary. For personalised transition advice, please speak with your healthcare professional, or contact our Careline and discuss any changes to your baby’s feeding experience with one of our nutritionists, dietitians or midwives. Use the LiveChat or call us on 0800 438 500 in New Zealand or 1800 438 500 in Australia.

Always follow the instructions on the tin when preparing a bottle for your baby. Sterilise bottles and teats and use cooled boiled water to make all formula. Just before a feed, measure out the relevant number of scoops and water and mix properly. Any leftover formula should be discarded. If you would like more information on how to prepare formula correctly or to talk through what your baby is experiencing, talk to one of our Careline team by using the LiveChat or call us on 0800 438 500 in New Zealand or 1800 438 500 in Australia.

Our feeding guides are a guide only. We understand that every baby is different so amounts may vary for each baby. You should be guided by your baby’s appetite and growth. If you are concerned, please speak with your healthcare professional or our Careline team. Our registered dietitians and nutritionists at the Careline can be contacted using the LiveChat or by calling 0800 438 500 in New Zealand or 1800 438 500 in Australia.

Your baby’s poo will change over time. The below is a useful guide to what to look for at different stages.
After Birth:
For the first day or so after birth, your baby’s stools are greenish black in colour and have a smooth, sticky consistency – like tar. This is called meconium. Around day 2-3, this stool soon changes in colour and texture to greeny/brown and is known as a transitional stool.
Breast Feeding:
From day 3-4 (when your milk starts to come in) your baby’s poos will change to orange/yellow in colour with a consistency like pumpkin soup with little white seedy bits in it. Not all babies have the seedy bits but the colour and texture stays fairly much the same. The poos should stay similar to this throughout breast feeding until solids are introduced.
Formula Feeding:
From day 3-4, formula feeding poos range from orange/yellow in colour through to green/brown. They can vary in texture from pumpkin soup like consistency, through to toothpaste in texture. They may also have the white seedy bits seen in breast feeding poos.
Diarrhoea:
If the stools become very loose, runny, and watery in addition to changing in smell and colour, it is likely your baby has an infection, intolerance, or allergy. Stools can become a lot more frequent.
Constipation:
A baby is constipated when the stool becomes harder and is difficult to pass. Formed stools or pebbles indicate constipation. Absence of stools does not mean baby is constipated; the consistency of the stool determines whether baby is constipated. Anything that is firmer than toothpaste is considered constipation.

If you have any concerns about your baby’s poos and what you should expect, please contact our registered dietitians, nutritionists and midwives at the Careline for more information. We are always happy to talk this through with you. Use the LiveChat or call us on 0800 438 500 / 1800 438 500