Pink-Diaper Syndrome

👁 This was my baby’s diaper on day 3. Did you know 22% of breastfed newborns have “pink diapers” on the third day?

‼️This is a very important fact for you to know if you’re breastfeeding or planning to since it’s often very stressing for parents when it happens and you don’t know it could happen!.

🙋🏻‍♀️Even I was worried when it happened to me! (And as a doctor I knew it beforehand) I did not realize until a few hours after it happened. We as moms, and especially in the first days that we are sleep deprived and super vulnerable, we forget things and that’s okay! This is why our support network is so important💛.

🔴About the third day you may notice pink-orange-red deposits in the diaper. This is commonly known as brick dust or urate crystals and is highly concentrated urine. It’s very normal for breastfed babies on the third day right before the milk comes in and will be gone as soon as the milk volume increases.

⚠️It is often mistaken for bleeding. This also may indicate dehydration, so a careful assessment of hydration by a doctor is necessary. Increase the frequency and amount of feedings if you’re concerned about hydration.

👩🏽‍⚕️Always contact your baby’s doctor and your lactation consultant.

-Morbacher N & Stock J. The Breastfeeding Answer Book. Illinois: La Leche League International, 2003.

-Schwartz's Clinical Handbook of Pediatrics.

-Breastfeeding Protocols for Health Care Providers Toronto Public Health