All About poop

What is a healthy baby’s poop like?

The color, texture, and odor of newborn poop are not only different from what you’re used to, but can seem to change — in frequency, hue, and consistency.  What’s normal for baby poop depends on whether the baby is breastfed or formula-fed.

What are the first bowel movements called and when do they first appear?

What is seen in the first few diapers —  greenish-black tar-like poop — is called meconium. This first newborn poop usually appears within about 24 hours of birth

What is meconium made of?

Instead of food, it’s made up of the stuff the baby collected in his intestines while in utero — old blood cells and skin cells, for instance. That’s why it looks so drastically different from all the baby poop yet to come.

What comes after the meconium? 

Two to four days after birth, you should notice “transitional” stools — they tend to be green and less tacky than meconium. This is a sign that the baby’s intestinal tract is all-systems-go. From that point on, the type of food the baby is eating will determine the color and consistency of his poop:

How can I tell if my breastfed baby’s poop is normal?

• It’s mustard yellow, green, or brown. (Think “welcome to earth tones”!)
• It’s seedy or pasty.
• It smells sweet (ish!) — not a normal bowel-movement odor.
• It fills his diapers at least five times a day (and for some babies, during or after each feeding). Mom’s milk digests at a faster rate than formula does.

How can I tell if my formula fed baby’s poop is normal?

• It’s yellowish-brown to brown.
• Its texture ranges from nut-butter to pudding.
• It smells more like regular poop.
• It fills the diaper three to four times a day.

How many poopy diapers a day is normal for a baby? 

Once the baby’s feeding schedule has been established, his “special delivery” diapers may appear five or more times a day or once every three days. That’s perfectly normal.  As long as his stools are soft, he isn’t constipated. The breastfed baby doesn’t poop for more than three days.

When should I contact a doctor regarding my baby’s poop?

• The formula-fed baby doesn’t poop for more than five days.
• Stools are hard and pebbly, or much thicker than peanut butter.
• Stools are thin, watery, or you see mucus in the diaper — this may be diarrhea.
• You notice his stool is red or black, which could indicate bleeding.
• You notice his stool is white, which could indicate he’s not properly absorbing nutrients.