What is the term for a newborn's first bowel movement?

The term for a newborn's first bowel movement is meconium. Meconium is a thick, sticky substance that is typically dark green or black in color. It is composed of various materials that the fetus ingests while in utero, including amniotic fluid, mucus, and cells shed from the lining of the intestines. The passage of meconium usually occurs within the first 24 to 48 hours after birth, indicating that the newborn's digestive system is functioning properly.

The other terms listed refer to different substances: stool is a general term for waste material eliminated from the digestive tract; feces is similar in context to stool and refers to solid waste; and colostrum is the first form of milk produced by the mammary glands in late pregnancy and shortly after giving birth, which is rich in antibodies and essential for the newborn. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the specific terminology related to newborns' bodily functions and nutrition.