What is indicated by a baby’s first poop described as black and tarry?

The description of a baby’s first poop as black and tarry refers to meconium. Meconium is the thick, sticky substance that is composed of materials ingested while in the uterus, including amniotic fluid, mucus, skin cells, and other secretions. It is typically dark greenish-black in color and has a tar-like consistency.

Meconium is a normal finding for newborns and is the first stool that they pass after birth. Typically, it is passed within the first 24 to 48 hours of life. Its presence is an important indicator of the gastrointestinal tract's normal function and indicates that the baby is transitioning from intrauterine life to feeding, digestive function is beginning, and there are no obstructions.

The other options reflect potential issues that are less relevant to the context of a newborn's first stool, making meconium the accurate answer reflecting normal physiological processes. Understanding this helps in recognizing the stages of newborn development and the transition the infant makes during this critical period after birth.