What is the typical transitional stool pattern of a newborn in the first few days of life?

The typical transitional stool pattern of a newborn in the first few days of life is characterized by a progression from meconium to more mature stool as the infant begins to digest breast milk or formula. Initially, the baby's stool is meconium, which is dark, thick, and tarry in consistency. As the infant transitions to regular feedings, the stool changes in color and consistency.

Option B accurately describes this transitional process, where the stool changes from meconium (black and tarry) to a thinner, brown or green stool during the transitional phase, eventually becoming lighter and more yellow as the infant’s diet stabilizes. This stool transition indicates that the newborn's gastrointestinal system is adapting and functioning properly, reflecting the normal progression of digestive processes.

The other options do not accurately represent the typical stool pattern observed in newborns. For instance, bright yellow with no odor usually describes the stool of a breastfed baby after the transitional phase has completed, and is not typical in the initial days. A consistently green and foul-smelling stool can signal gastrointestinal issues or infections rather than a normal transitional pattern. Lastly, a consistency resembling mashed potatoes may refer to a later stage of stool consistency but does not fit the transitional pattern that newborns exhibit during their