Meconium

My baby’s first stool was awful and I struggled to clean her because it was so sticky. Is my baby ill?

The first stool that a baby passes can be quite alarming to new parents. The contents of the bowel are extremely sticky and a greenish-black colour. This is meconium and is perfectly natural. It is difficult to clean and may be a good idea to ask for help from a nurse or midwife who can offer you some tips on getting your baby clean. The good news is that the meconium is very soon replaced by a yellow stool which is far less offensive and difficult to clean.