A Mammas Guide to Baby Poop Color
Learn health condition of the little one from color, consistency and frequency of poop!
Published : 04/06/2024
Last updated: 04/06/2024
Hey Mammas!
Here is the poop guide that you’ve all been waiting for, the most talked about topic between parents. Even if you are not talking about it, its something you are thinking about almost all the time!
Honestly, it is absolutely natural if you are a concerned parent, because the color consistency and the frequency of baby’s poop can indicate important hints of the little one’s health -says Wendy Sue Swanson, MD a pediatrician and Chief Medical Officer at SpoonfulOne.
However, this subject has a very broad spectrum, since there are a lot of factors that influence the “normality”, for example: what is normal for a breast fed baby is definitely not normal for a formula fed baby and then there are babies eating solid food.
So, lets talk about what is normal and when is it concerning, starting from the first poop to pooping in the potty!
Baby's First Poop
Usually sticky and black/blackish-green, and commonly known as meconium, it contains everything that was ingested in the utero -amniotic fluid, skin cells and water.
The first meconium is passed by the baby within 24hrs of delivery. The first couple days might be like this but it does loosen and lighten in color progressively.
Newborn Poop Frequency and Consistency
After a couple days of being born breast fed babies will start pooping yellow, runny and seedy. The frequency can be 3-4 times a day or after every meal. They can be inconsistent meaning they can go without pooping for 2-3 days in the first four to six weeks, this is a sign of constipation.
Formula fed babies will have poop that is firm and darker than breast fed babies -like hummus or peanut butter. The color can range from yellow to greenish-brown. They will poop at least once a day. If formula fed babies are going without pooping for at least 2 days it could mean they are constipated, also if the poop seems like log or pellet-like shapes it also indicates constipation and you should try switching to a new formula milk.
Furthermore, if a baby is constipated and the poop is inconsistent -soft belly and content behavior indicates nothing to be concerned about. On the other hand if they are cranky and their poop is hard, with rigid belly, it is best to communicate with your pediatrician.
Understanding Baby Poop Colors
LIGHT GREEN
Feeding practice: breast fed
If baby poop is foamy, it means that the baby is getting too much watery foremilk (breast milk that comes at the beginning of feeding) and not getting enough fatty hindmilk (comes after foremilk).
Sometimes this color could indicate presence of mucus due to cold or fever.
BRIGHT YELLOW
Feeding practice: breast fed
Caused by medications or food eaten by mom.
MUSTARD YELLOW
Feeding practice: breast fed or formula fed
Normal poop color for infants.
ORANGISH
Feeding practice: breast fed
Result of medications or artificially colored foods consumed by mom.
Could also be due to solid foods consumed by infant – carrots and sweet potatoes.
Usually not an issue, but if orange color poop persists, do contact pediatrician.
RED
Feeding practice: breast fed
Red spots can appear when baby is constipated and struggling to poop. Its usually not a problem.
Can also appear due to tiny amounts of blood swallowed from your nipple cracks.
Too much blood or really bright red color could mean an infection, allergy, gastrointestinal trauma, or a serious medical condition -contact your pediatrician immediately.
BLACK
For newborn baby: If stool color is black even after 3rd day of being born it is an indication that the baby is not getting sufficient food or having trouble digesting.
A few months old: Caused by iron in diet, which is not an issue. If iron is not present in diet it could also indicate a gastrointestinal tract bleeding -contact pediatrician as soon as possible!
GRAY
Gray color can be caused by solid foods. If that is not the case it could indicate that there is an issue with the liver or gallbladder.
WHITE
Whitish color baby poop can be a sign that there is an issue with liver function, call pediatrician immediately.
BOTTLE GREEN
Presence of iron in formula milk can darken baby poop color -not a reason for concern.
TANNED GREEN
Sometimes this is the normal color of baby poop.
Sometimes it is a sign of teething or recovery from a stomach issue.
If the baby is gassy or cranky along with this colored poop it could mean an allergy due to presence of cowmilk in the formula.
A Gentle Nudge from Mammas Journey
Therefore, baby health condition can sometimes be understood from the color of their poop. So, if your little one is acting out and if you are unable to figure-out the issue check the color of their poop, connect the dots by using this article, at first you might have to come back to it quite regularly after a few months, all these will be on the back of your head, that is mamma truth!
