Baby Poop
Between the varieties of color and the varying consistencies of baby poop, we understand the cause for concern among parents. But we’re here to tell you what’s perfectly normal to experience with your baby to alleviate some of that unwanted, unnecessary stress!
Taking Comfort in Color and Consistency
A few universal facts about baby stool to put your mind at ease.
Between the varieties of color and the varying consistencies of baby poop, we understand the cause for concern among parents. But we’re here to tell you what’s perfectly normal to experience with your baby to alleviate some of that unwanted, unnecessary stress!
Parents, here’s what you need to know: your baby is special, but not because of their poop! Keep reading for more info on what’s normal and what’s not.
Newborn Baby Poop:
For the first few days following birth, babies will have greenish black poop, or “meconium,” that’s tar-like in consistency. This is everything baby ingested while inside Mom passing through their system, and it should take a few days to get it all out. Isn’t parenthood just so glamorous?! We think so ;)
Breastfed Babies:
For these babies, you’ll notice mustard yellow stool and potentially some hues of green. It’ll also have a seedy, somewhat runny texture that may remind you of diarrhea. This isn’t unusual to see. Healthy stool smells sweet and frequent bowel movements are common.
Formula-Fed:
For our formula-fed babies, stool is yellow, green or brown. The texture will be pasty and thick, kind of like peanut butter. You can expect to see fewer stools than breastfed babies produce, but they’re often bigger and have a stronger smell.
Now that we have a baseline understanding of some of the elements that affect baby poop, like stage of life and food source, we’ll take a closer look at color.
Colors
Green: This is normal for 4-to 6-month-old babies when introduced to solid, green foods. Common baby foods like peas and spinach can influence coloration.
Orange/yellow/brown: These colors are common in both breastfed and bottle-fed babies. In fact, much like with green coloration, the orangey colors can be a result of diet — either the baby’s or their mother’s. We are what we eat, they say!
While many stool-related concerns point to normalcy, it’s important for you to trust your gut. If you see blood or mucus in your baby’s stool, you notice a strange color like white or gray, or if runny poop persists for longer than you’re comfortable with, it’s always worth mentioning to a medical professional for further exploration. At the end of the day, it’s all about you and your baby’s well-being. And you know your baby best.
Resources:
https://www.unitypoint.org/news-and-articles/12-types-of-baby-poop-what-they-mean-infographic