What Should My Baby’s Poop Look Like?

Article

Sep 3, 2024

4 mins

As a new parent, you’re bound to find yourself focusing on things you never imagined before—like your baby’s poop. It might seem a bit odd, but the truth is, your baby’s stool can tell you a lot about their health. Understanding what’s normal and what’s not can help you feel more at ease and ensure your baby is healthy and comfortable.

Normal Colors of Baby Poop

When it comes to the color of your baby’s poop, there’s a wide range of shades that are considered normal. Most healthy babies will have poop that is brown, tan, yellow, or green. This can vary depending on several factors, including whether they’re breastfed, formula-fed, or eating solids. For instance:

Breastfed babies: Their poop is often yellow, mustard-like, and can sometimes have a seedy texture.
Formula-fed babies: They tend to have poop that is a bit firmer and can range from tan to brown.
Babies on solid foods: Once your baby starts eating solids, you might see poop in various shades of brown, sometimes even green, depending on what they’ve eaten.

It's important to note that dark green poop might look almost black, but it’s usually normal, especially if your baby is taking iron supplements. However, if you notice colors like red, black (not dark green), pale, or white, it’s time to call your pediatrician as these could indicate potential issues.

Understanding Stool Consistency

The consistency of your baby’s stool is another key indicator of their digestive health. Here’s what to expect:

Breastfed babies: Their stools are typically soft, runny, and sometimes seedy. This is perfectly normal and a sign that they’re getting enough milk.
Formula-fed babies: Their stools tend to be firmer and more paste-like. This consistency is also normal and reflects the difference in digestion between breast milk and formula.
Solid-eating babies: As your baby starts eating solids, their poop will likely become more formed and may resemble adult stool, though still softer.

Consistency will change over time, and what's normal can vary greatly. As long as your baby isn’t experiencing hard stools (which could indicate constipation) or extremely watery stools (which might signal diarrhea), they’re likely doing just fine.

How Often Should Your Baby Poop?

Frequency can vary significantly among babies. For newborns, especially breastfed ones, it’s common to have several bowel movements a day—sometimes up to six times. Formula-fed babies might poop less frequently, but still several times a day.

As babies grow, the frequency of their bowel movements usually decreases. For example:

0-3 months: Breastfed babies may have 0-5.7 bowel movements per day, while formula-fed babies may have 0-4 per day.
1-3 years: Bowel movements can range from 0-3 per day.

It’s also normal for some babies to go several days without pooping. The key is to watch for patterns and ensure that your baby is comfortable and growing well.

When to Worry

While there’s a broad range of normal when it comes to baby poop, there are certain signs that might indicate a problem. You should consult your pediatrician if your baby shows any of these red flags:

Vomiting
Pain during bowel movements
Signs of dehydration (such as fewer wet diapers)
Poor weight gain
Blood in the stools
Fever
Lethargy or reduced activity
Poor feeding

Monitoring your baby’s poop is one of the many ways you can keep an eye on their health. Remember, there’s a wide range of normal when it comes to stool color, consistency, and frequency. However, if something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and reach out to your pediatrician. Your baby’s health is always worth the peace of mind.

Sources:
Recommendations of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition43(3):e1-e13, September 2016 *Mean Value

Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP. Copyright 2000-2022. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC. Healthchildren.org from the American Academy of Pediatrics

Benninga et al. Gastroenterology 2016;150:1443-55

Huysentruyt K, Koppen I, Benninga M, Cattaert T, Cheng J, de Geyter C, Faure C, Gottrand F, Hegar B, Hojsak I, Miqdady M, Osatakul S, Ribes-Koninckx C, Salvatore S, Saps M, Shamir R, Staiano A, Szajewska H, Vieira M, Vandenplas Y and the BITSS working group. The Brussels Infant and Toddler Stool Scale: A Study On Inter-Observer Reliability. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2019 Feb;68(2):207-213. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000002153.

By: parenTeam Content Team