To investigate the relationship between breastfeeding success and the time of first meconium passage in term newborns.

The timing of the first meconium passage in neonates is a useful indicator of distal colon function. Delayed passage may signal congenital distal bowel dysfunctions such as hirschsprung disease (HD), anorectal malformations, distal intestinal atresia, prematurity, or hypothyroidism. Several factors may influence the timing of the first meconium passage, including gestational age, birth weight, sex, mode of delivery, and presence of respiratory distress. Another significant factor is breastfeeding. Effective breastfeeding is known to contribute to the maturation of the gut microbiota and has long-term positive outcomes for both mother and infant. However, the literature lacks studies examining the relationship between breastfeeding and the timing of meconium passage.This study aimed to investigate the relationship between breastfeeding success and the timing of first meconium passage in term newborns. The following hypotheses were tested: (a) There is a relationship between breastfeeding success and the timing of meconium passage in term newborns; (b) Term newborns with higher breastfeeding success will pass meconium earlier.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy term newborns (≥37 weeks gestation) who were exclusively breastfeed

Exclusion Criteria:

• Newborns who received any feeding other than direct breastfeeding (e.g., bottle, cup, etc.)

The study population consisted of all term newborns monitored in the postnatal period, while the sample comprised newborns who met the inclusion criteria and were followed in the Neonatal Care Unit.