The average stool frequency of Indian children is as follows:
- Less than 1 month age : 3-4 times/day
- 1 month to 1 year age: 1-2 times/day
- 1 to 2 year age: 1-2 times/day, mostly formed
- >2 year age: 1 time/day, mostly formed
Editor’s Note:
In case of exclusive breastfed infants, stool frequency is variable due to change in levels of colostrum in breastmilk. So, the stool frequency initial days/weeks can be as frequent as 10-15 per day while a frequency of once in 3-5 days is also normal at age of one month plus when colostrum production goes down. So, an exclusively breastfed newborn child not passing frequent stools in initial days should alert clinician for a possible underfeeding.
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Post drafted on inputs from Dr Mridul Das, Ex-Pediatric Gastroenterologist at BLK Centre for Child Health
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