Ode to Poop

I never knew poop could make me so happy, relieved, anxious, scared and confused. Poop has always been pretty straightforward to me. As with so many things, Jack has taken poop to a whole ‘nother level. I think about his poop multiple times a day; I wait for it; I am excited when I see him stop in his tracks and start to push. He’s pooping! The anticipation grows inside of me while I wait for him to finish so that I can unwrap my present to see what he brought me.

I have experienced Jack’s poop with many of my senses. The way it smells. From the nearly odorless exclusively breastfed poops to the stinky spicy food dinner poop. I remember thinking his poop used to smell like popcorn. The way it looks. Various shades of yellow and brown. Mushy, clay-like, lump, gooey, streaky or blotchy. The way it feels. I have smeared it around in his diapers testing the consistency. I have gone so far as to poke my bare finger right into it. I become transfixed.

I am surprised by the level of fear that poop can evoke in me. When was the last time he pooped? Oh god, I hope he poops soon! Are you pooping?! Is it hard? How hard? Too hard? Is it soft? Too soft? What color is it? It’s dark—too dark? Is it supposed to be like that? What does it mean? Is that OK? Why is it so smelly? This one doesn’t smell; why doesn’t it smell? Is he OK?!

When I peel his diaper off, my eyes widen as I eagerly await to see what sort of poop he delivered this time. There are a few seconds of nervous anticipation. What will I find? Will it worry me? I’m worried that what I’ll find will worry me! The surprises are interesting. Oh, that’s right, we had beans last night!

What an emotional rollercoaster.

About Abby Theuring

Abby Theuring
The Badass Breastfeeder is a mother, writer, social worker, attachment parent, proud breastfeeder and advocate. Her career as a social worker has shown her that gentle and connected parenting is vital for life-long emotional health. You can find her blog at www.thebadassbreastfeeder.com and Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheBadassBreastfeeder.

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4 comments

  1. Avatar

    My daughters poop always smelled like buttered popcorn from the movie theater too!

  2. Avatar

    OMG I thought I was so weird cause to me my youngest son’s poop smells like popcorn. I was unable to breastfeed my oldest so he had regular old stinky formula poop. This child I am able to breastfeed and to me (only me) it smells like movie theater popcorn. The stuff they used to give you fifteen years ago when the kernels were practicly floating in the butter and just looking at it made your butt expand. Everyone says I’m weird for thinking that though. So glad I’m not alone. :-)

  3. Avatar

    Omgggg im not even married and i can so relate to this!
    This spring my niece had constipation, my sister in law cried and i freaking held my tears back coz like always i was trying my best to be the stronger person lol
    Who knew poop could invoke such emotions haha
    Honest and true post!
    you go girl x

  4. Avatar

    Funny because it is true!

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