Your babys digestive system starts to form when you’re just 5 weeks pregnant.
Babies don’t eat in the womb, but absorb nutrients through the umbilical cord.
They usually don’t poop until after birth.
Was this article helpful?
We believe you should always know the source of the information you’re seeing.
Learn more about oureditorial and medical review policies.
Fetal development.https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002398.htmOpens a new window[Accessed May 2022]
NIH.
Renal development in the fetus and premature infant.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5387761/Opens a new window[Accessed May 2022]
ACOG.
How your fetus grows during pregnancy.https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/how-your-fetus-grows-during-pregnancyOpens a new window[Accessed May 2022]
Boston Childrens Hospital.
Anorectal malformation.https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/anorectal-malformationOpens a new window[Accessed May 2022]
Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Development of gastric emptying in the human fetus.
Development of ingestive behavior.
Embryology, Gastrointestinal.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537172/Opens a new window[Accessed May 2022]
March of Dimes.
Vitamins and Other Nutrients During Pregnancy.https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/vitamins-and-other-nutrients-during-pregnancy.aspxOpens a new window[Accessed May 2022]
KidsHealth.
Eating During Pregnancy.https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/eating-pregnancy.htmlOpens a new window[Accessed May 2022]
Cleveland Clinic.
Placenta.https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22337-placentaOpens a new window[Accessed May 2022]
MedlinePlus.
Meconium.https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/9616.htmOpens a new window[Accessed May 2022]
KidsHealth.
Meconium.https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/meconium.htmlOpens a new window[Accessed May 2022]
Louisiana Department of Health.
Stages of Fetal Development: Third Trimester.https://ldh.la.gov/page/1059Opens a new window[Accessed May 2022]
Mayo Clinic.
She lives in Colorado with her husband and young son and daughter.