Hypoallergenic formula is recommended for babies with cow's milk or milk allergy after a positive test by an allergist or immunologist. The hydrolyzed formula does not trigger an allergic reaction as the protein is broken down into small pieces so the immune system cannot recognize them. Therefore, changes in baby feces in terms of color, consistency, frequency, and odor are applied.
In this article, I'm going to talk about what the normal hypoallergenic formula poop is, as well as the warning signs you should be concerned about. Also, the link between baby feces and constipation/diarrhea.
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Table of Contents hide
1 What Does Hypoallergenic Formula Poop Look Like?
2 Color and Consistency of Hypoallergenic Baby Formula Poop:
3 What are the baby poop colors that are not normal?
4 How often should a baby with hypoallergenic formula poop?
5 Hypoallergenic Formula Poop Smell:
6 The Best Hypoallergenic Formula For Baby Poop:
7 Hypoallergenic Formula and Constipation:
8 Hypoallergenic Formula and Diarrhea:
9 Conclusion:
What Does Hypoallergenic Formula Poop Look Like?
Babies who are given hypoallergenic formula have yellow, green to dark green formula, a fluffy and sometimes chunky peanut butter consistency, poop more frequently with some brands and once or twice a day with other brands, all with a horrible smelly smell.
The structure of the feces varies depending on the brand used. This table shows the fecal color, consistency, frequency, and odor for each brand of hypoallergenic formula.
| poop color | poop consistency | poop frequency | poop smell | |
| Like food | green to brown | loose and watery | once or twice a day | terrible |
| Enfamil Nutramigen | yellow/beige | like peanut butter | after each feeding after 2 weeks 1 to 2 days | terrible |
| Gerber Extensive HA | green to dark green | lose | once or twice a day | terrible |
| Target HA | green | Very wet | after each feeding after 2 weeks 1 to 2 days | terrible |
| Walmart brand HA | green | pudding like | once or twice a day | terrible |
| Amazon brand HA | gelb | pudding like | once or twice a day | terrible |
| Kabrita brand HA | green | pudding like | after each feeding after 2 weeks 1 to 2 days | terrible |
Color and consistency of hypoallergenic baby food:
The hypoallergenic formula's fecal color is often yellow to dark green, a runny, watery stool, sometimes solid like peanut butter. The iron is responsible for the green color. In addition, the consistency is caused by the presence or absence of palm oil in the formula.
- Similar to Poop Food:
Babies on Similac Alimentum usually have green to brown stools, muddy, sticky, sometimes a little looser and watery.
The loose stool is due to the absence of palm oil in Similac Alimentum and the use of medium-chain triglycerides as a fat blend that makes the stool soft and watery.
Related:The Best Alimentum Generic Formula (Mom Tested)
- Gerber Extensive HA poop:
If you are using Gerber Extensive HA you will likely see a green to dark green droppings and a fluffy consistency. Such as Similac Alimentum; Gerber doesn't use palm oil, so the droppings are fluffy and soft.
Additionally, the green color is due to iron, and sometimes the dark green color can mean you're using an iron supplement.
Related:Nutramigen vs Gerber Extensive HA: Which is Best?
- Enfamil Nutramigen poop:
Mothers who feed Enfamil Nutramigen see poop yellow/beige, a chunky peanut butter consistency, clumped like curdled milk. Sometimes the feces might be loose.
Enfamil uses palm oil in its hypoallergenic formula, which makes stools harder and can sometimes lead to constipation. However, if your baby is fine and not in pain during BM, don't worry about palm oil.
Hypoallergenic formulas are more expensive than regular formulas. Switching to a generic brand name formula is a good choice; I wrote an article about itTop 9 Generic Brands of Nutramigen Formula (Cheap!!)if you want to check
- Generic Hypoallergenic Brands Poop:
Target brand hypoallergenic babies have very wet feces that are green in color. The same goes for Walmart brands HA and Kabrita brands HA; green poop and pudding consistency. However, for the Amazon brand HA, you will see a yellow color.
All of these colors are normal for a formula-fed baby, the moist, runny consistency also lends itself well to a hypoallergenic formula that breaks the protein into small pieces, helping the baby to digest it quickly and have a to make loose, loose stools.
Just make sure there is no diarrhea (I'll talk about signs of diarrhea above).
Related:The 7 Best Generic Brands for Similac Sensitive Formula (Cheap!!)
What are the baby poop colors that are not normal?
- Black, red feces:
After the meconium pass (newborn feces), generally 5 days; if you see a black or red color; then your LO can bleed from the digestive system, the blood in the stool can be a result of constipation, digestive problems or allergies.
Sometimes the blood in the stool can be due to the frequency of bowel movements; Babies fed hypoallergenic formula poop more initially (almost after each feeding), which can lead to mild anal fissures.
For a baby who drinks a hypoallergenic formula and still has an allergy and poor growth; The amino acid formula is the right option for your LO.
This formula is made from individual amino acids (the building blocks of protein) where the protein's region size is 1 kiloDalton, while the normal region size is 14 to 67 kiloDaltons.
black or red colors are warning signs; You need to call your pediatrician.
Related: What does combo fed baby poop look like?
- White or Gray Feces:
White and gray stool means the baby is not digesting the food well, which is rare in a hypoallergenic infant, as the protein is broken into small pieces (a size in the 3 kiloDalton range) so the baby can digest it easily.
However, you can see these colors after introducing solid foods and whenever you see these colors; Call your pediatrician.
How often should a baby with hypoallergenic formula poop?
Most babies given hypoallergenic formula poop once or twice a day. Sometimes the poop frequency can be higher in the beginning. But after 1 to 2 weeks, the frequency will be adjusted to 1 to 2 poops per day.
All babies fed hypoallergenic formula poop once or twice a day except Enfamil Nutramigen, Kabrita brand, and Target brand; the poop frequency is almost after each feeding,
Enfamil Nutramigen contains probiotics (good bacteria) that help your LO digest food quickly, resulting in more frequent bowel movements.
Many mothers initially suffer from frequent bowel movements and severe diaper rash. However, it may take 1 to 2 weeks for the baby to get used to it, give it some time and you will see better results (generally 1 to 2 poops a day) without a bad diaper rash.
If not, try switching to ready-to-feed Similac Alimentum, many mothers have had very good results with it.
Poop frequency is not an issue if the baby is thriving and not experiencing pain with bowel movements. However, if you don't poop for more than 5 days, it can be a sign of constipation. then you need to consult your pediatrician.
Related:Alimentum Vs Gerber Extensive HA: Which Formula is Best?
Hypoallergenic Formula Poop Smell:
All formula-fed babies have smelly poop, but hypoallergenic bottle poop has a horrible smell and is weird at times! The smell of feces is related to the bacteria in the intestines. The longer the feces are exposed to bacteria, the worse the feces smell.
Babies with hypoallergenic formula poop once or twice a day, which explains the awful smell. While breastfed babies poop more times per day, their poop smells sweet.
Warning sign:
A foul smell for several days could be an allergy to something, it is better to consult your pediatrician.
The Best Hypoallergenic Formula for Baby Poop:
After much research and questions from many mothers; The best hypoallergenic formula for baby feces is Similac Alimentum (ready to feed), with a green to brown and soft, watery feces, mothers are happy with it. The frequency is once or twice a day, which is great.
Similac Alimentum does not use palm oil, which softens the faeces.
If you're ready to make the switch to the hypoallergenic Similac brand, you canbuy it here
You might want to seeNutramigen Vs Alimentum: Which is Better?
Hypoallergenic formula and constipation:
« Constipation in infants and children occurs when they have hard stools or have trouble passing stools. A child may have pain when passing stool or may not have a stool after straining or squeezing," he saysMedlineplus.gov
Constipation rarely occurs with hypoallergenic formula. Most babies have a runny, watery stool once or twice a day, sometimes more. However, if you notice these signs in your baby, it could be constipation:
- Excitement and more frequent spitting
- Difficulty passing stool
- Harter, trockener Kot
- pain during bowel movements
- Big, big stool
- blood on the stool
- Poops no longer than 5 days
You must consult your pediatrician if you see these signs.
The causes vary, some babies may become constipated when switching from breast milk to formula. While others do when they introduce solid foods and don't eat enough fiber or drink enough fluids.
Sometimes the cause could be palm oil, which decreases calcium and fat absorption and can lead to constipation (Enfamil Nutramigen uses palm oil). However, if the baby has soft stools and did not feel pain during defecation; The palm oil is not a problem.
Hypoallergenic Formula and Diarrhea:
Liquid and watery stools are common in most babies fed hypoallergenic formula. This is normal because small pieces of protein (whey or casein) are included in these formulas and some do not contain palm oil.
A runny, watery stool can resemble diarrhea. However, this is not always the case.
If you notice these signs, it is diarrhea.
Signs of diarrhea accseattlechildrens.org:
- Suspect diarrhea if stools suddenly increase in number or looseness. If it takes 3 or more bowel movements, the baby has diarrhea.
- If the stool contains mucus, blood, or smells bad, it indicates diarrhea.
- Other signs of diarrhea include poor diet, sick behavior, or fever.
- By 2 months, most babies have 1 or 2 bowel movements a day. They can also happen 1 every other day. You seem to no longer have mild diarrhea.
The main causes of diarrhea are cow's milk allergy and lactose intolerance, sometimes even with hypoallergenic infant formula, the baby's digestive system can recognize the small pieces of casein or whey, it is rare but can happen.
Therefore, the pediatrician will recommend an amino acid formula where the region size of the protein is 1 kiloDalton (a normal region size is 14 to 67).
Conclusion :
As you may see, baby poop can tell you a lot about your baby's health. We've talked about the "regular" poop you should see on a hypoallergenic formula. However, every baby is different; Everyone can have their own "normal" poop. In the end you are the judge.
As long as the baby doesn't have these warning signs we've talked about, you shouldn't worry. Over time you will get used to your baby poo and you will know what is normal and what is not.
Still have questions or tips about the hypoallergenic formula? Feel free to ask in the comments.
Resources:
Baby Poop Pictures Sources:
FAQs
What does hypoallergenic formula poop look like? ›
When a baby is on hypoallergenic formula, the first stools tend to be green and can be dark. In fact, lots of you describe the color as hunter green (but contact your baby's doctor if stools look black, which may be blood in the stool).
What should baby poop look like on Nutramigen? ›After starting Nutramigen, you may notice that your baby produces frequent, loose stools of a greenish colour. This is usually normal for babies fed with hypoallergenic formulas for cow's milk allergy, but speak to your doctor if you are worried.
What does baby poop look like with an allergy? ›The most common sign that a baby is allergic to milk is blood in their stool. A baby's poop may also become more runny and frequent, similar to diarrhea. It may also contain mucus.
How do I know if my hypoallergenic formula is working? ›Typically, a baby with cow's milk allergy who switches to hypoallergenic formula will start to feel better within 48 hours. They will be less fussy and colicky. Other symptoms such as bloody stool or skin issues may take up to four weeks to clear up.
What to expect when switching to hypoallergenic formula? ›You may notice a difference in the smell and taste of a hypoallergenic formula. That's because in order to make hypoallergenic formula, milk proteins are broken down into very small peptides and individual amino acids. This can result in a bitter taste.
What are the side effects of Nutramigen hypoallergenic formula? ›When first starting on a new formula, you may notice slight changes in stool pattern, gas, and/or spitting up. After starting Nutramigen, some babies may experience frequent, loose stools, especially during the initial days of feeding. It is normal for some infants on iron-fortified formula to have greenish stools.
How do I know if my baby is reacting to Nutramigen? ›They can include colic, skin reactions (such as a red itchy rash, eczema or swelling of the lips, face and around the eyes), digestive problems (such as vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhoea) and hay fever-like symptoms (such as sneezing or itchy, blocked or runny nose).
Do babies poop more on hypoallergenic formula? ›With most hypoallergenic amino acid-based formulas, like Neocate Infant, babies poop less often due to the way they absorb formulas. The protein in such formulas is broken down and simple to absorb, and they don't contain fiber.
How do I know if my baby needs hypoallergenic formula? ›What Babies Need Hypoallergenic Formula? The American Academy of Pediatricians recommends that hypoallergenic formulas only be used in infants with clear medical symptoms that would indicate the use of a special formula. 2 Babies with sensitivities may not need a hypoallergenic formula unless they have a true allergy.
How do you know if your baby needs hypoallergenic formula? ›What Babies Need Hypoallergenic Formula? The American Academy of Pediatricians recommends that hypoallergenic formulas only be used in infants with clear medical symptoms that would indicate the use of a special formula. 2 Babies with sensitivities may not need a hypoallergenic formula unless they have a true allergy.
What does it look like when a baby is allergic to formula? ›
Typically babies with milk protein allergies will suffer from stomach cramps that make them cry, get cranky, and spit up after feedings. Loose poops and diarrhea, as well as blood in the stool, are also common symptoms. Some children may also vomit, break out in hives, or even have difficulty breathing in severe cases.