Changing Times

Here’s a realistic, step-by-step description of what a typical 10-month-old baby physically feels and how he behaves during a bowel movement in his diaper (from the baby’s perspective and observable behavior). At this age, most babies are not yet potty-trained, have limited verbal ability, and are fully dependent on diapers.

1. Initial urge (the “warning phase”)
   • Physical sensation: A subtle pressure or fullness in the lower abdomen/rectum. It feels like something is “pushing down” or needs to come out. It’s not painful yet, but it’s noticeable and impossible to ignore.
   • Behavior: The baby often pauses whatever he’s doing—stops playing, crawling, or babbling. He may freeze, squat slightly, or lean forward. His face gets serious or concentrated. Some babies grunt softly or make a low “mmm” sound. Many grip something (a toy, furniture, or their own pants) for stability.
2. Active pushing begins
   • Physical sensation: The rectum starts to stretch as the stool moves downward. The baby instinctively bears down (Valsalva maneuver), which increases abdominal pressure. This can feel warm and slightly tingly in the pelvic area. If the stool is firm, there’s a stretching/burning sensation around the anus; if it’s soft or mushy (very common at this age), it feels more like a sliding, squishy pressure.
   • Behavior: Classic signs appear: red face from effort, grunting (often loud and repetitive—“uhhh… uhhh…”), legs may stiffen or bend, knees drawn up a little. Some babies go up on their toes or squat deeply. Eyes may widen or squint. This is the “pooping face” every parent recognizes.
3. The stool exits (the main event)
   • Physical sensation:
     • First piece: A sudden release of pressure as the anus opens and the stool passes—relief mixed with a brief intense stretch (especially with harder stools).
     • Warmth: The poop is body-temperature or slightly warmer, so the baby immediately feels a spreading warm, wet, heavy mass against his skin in the seat of the diaper.
     • Texture differences: Firm logs feel like a solid lump settling; soft or pasty poop spreads quickly and feels squishy and sticky; very loose/diarrheal poop feels like a sudden hot, runny flood.
   • Behavior: Grunting usually peaks here, then suddenly stops once the bulk passes. Many babies let out a sigh or small “ahh” of relief. Some smile or resume playing immediately because the uncomfortable pressure is gone.
4. Final small pushes and wiping sensation inside the diaper
   • Physical sensation: A few smaller pieces or residual soft stool may come out with little after-pushes. The baby feels the diaper contents shift and smear with every tiny movement—warm, mushy, sometimes slightly itchy or irritating on the skin.
   • Behavior: The baby often starts moving again—crawling, walking, or bouncing—which causes the poop to squish further. Some babies look down at their crotch or reach toward the diaper because they notice the new heavy, warm feeling.
5. Post-poop phase (sitting in it)
   • Physical sensation: The diaper is now heavier and sags between the legs. The poop stays warm for a minute or two, then slowly cools, becoming clammy and sticky. If urine is added later, it mixes and feels wetter and colder. Sensitive skin may start to tingle or sting within minutes if the poop is acidic (common with breastfed or fruit-heavy diets).
   • Behavior:
     • Some babies are unbothered and keep playing.
     • Others become fussy almost immediately because they dislike the wet, heavy, squishy feeling or the smell.
     • Many will walk differently—wider stance, “poop waddle”—or sit down hard and then pop back up because it feels gross when they sit on it.
     • Crying or calling for a parent usually starts 2–10 minutes later once irritation sets in or they simply want to be clean.

In short: The baby first feels increasing rectal pressure → bears down with grunts and a red face → experiences relief and spreading warmth as the poop fills the diaper → feels the heavy, squishy, eventually cooling/clammy mass against his skin → either ignores it and keeps playing or quickly becomes uncomfortable and signals for a change.