Dealing with a messy diaper is no fun. Here's why they happen and what to do about them.
Nothing ruins a sweet moment with your little one like the sudden explosion of baby poop. Whether it came with a warning rumble or erupted with a swift vengeance, diaper blowouts are never fun. The greenish-yellow streak running up your baby's back might be alarming, but it is a common (and frankly, unpleasant) part of being a tiny human. Diaper Baby
"Sometimes babies give a 'Hershey schmear' and other bowel movements can be more voluminous," says Jonathan Jassey, DO, FAAP, a pediatrician at Concierge Pediatrics in Roslyn and Woodbury, New York.
Whether your baby is producing poopy diapers every day or once a week (both of which are normal), you are bound to experience the dreaded blowout at some point.
So, as you say try and deal with that adorable outfit that is now matted in baby poop, we will help you understand why diaper blowouts happen, how to help prevent them, tips for the cleanup, and when to call your health care provider.
A diaper blowout is exactly what it sounds like—your baby's bowel movement escapes from the diaper before it has a chance to be absorbed. Why, exactly, does this happen?
If your baby is between 1 and 8 weeks old, you are likely living the blowout life.
"Physiologically, newborns are most at risk," explains Florencia Segura, MD, FAAP, a board-certified pediatrician and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics practicing at Einstein Pediatrics. "They stool very frequently, up to eight to 12 times per day, and their stools tend to be a watery liquid consistency, making blowouts more likely to happen."
Dr. Segura adds that if your baby is wearing the wrong size diaper, you are in for more blowouts. "If the diaper is too small, it won't be able to contain your baby's stool. If the diaper is too large, this may cause gaps and lead to leaks, especially around the diaper cuffs," she says.
A poorly fastened diaper or one that has not been changed in a while is also at risk for a blowout.
Diaper blowouts can happen regardless of whether your baby is breastfed or formula-fed, although, according to Dr. Jassey, formula-fed babies are more prone to constipation. "Sometimes blowouts can happen if babies skip a day or two going to the bathroom and all of it will come out at once," he says.
To help keep your baby's bowel movements where they belong (i.e., not on their back), Dr. Segura stresses the importance of proper diaper size and positioning.
"Make sure your baby is in the correct diaper for their weight range," she says. "Check that the diaper is fastened snugly around your baby's waist, back, and legs. You will know it's a snug fit if you can't accommodate more than one finger around your baby's waist. Make sure that the ruffles are pulled out on the leg cuffs to help with the fit and prevent leaks."
Dr. Segura also explains that car trips tend to be the prime time for blowouts due to your baby's inclined position. "Make sure you change the diaper right before placing your baby in the car seat and always bring a change of clothes," she says.
Depending on the severity of the diaper blowout, you may be able to salvage that onesie you just bought. Here are some tips for cleaning your baby and their adorable clothes.
Once your baby is covered in poop, bath time seems like a no-brainer. Take your baby to the bathroom, strip off their clothes, and give them a good scrub down.
If you're in public (a cringe-worthy experience), find a changing table or private area and use as many baby wipes as you can to get them clean—and always remember to bring a change of clothes!
Along with cleaning your baby, make sure you disinfect any hard surfaces and wash any changing pads, bedding, etc. that may have gotten caught in the cross-fire.
To save their clothes (at least try to), start by removing as much poop as possible with a plastic spoon or knife, or anything that does the trick without rubbing it into the clothes. Spray the items with a pre-wash stain remover, give them a good soak (at least 15 minutes), and throw them in the wash.
With any luck, the blowout stain will disappear. If not, treat them again before they dry to avoid letting the stain set even more.
There are a couple of signs that may warrant a call to your child's health care provider. According to Dr. Jassey, these are signs to look out for:
For the most part, though, diaper blowouts are a normal part of being a baby, especially in the early months. They are certainly messy but go easy on yourself and try to remember this phase will only last a little while!
Pooping By the Numbers. American Academy of Pediatrics. 2009.
Disposable Baby Diaper How Can I Tell If My Baby is Constipated? American Academy of Pediatrics. 2022.