The Ultimate Baby Poop Color Chart
Newborn babies go through an average of 10 diapers per dayand you’re probably spending a significant amount of time looking at their bowel movements. “For moms who can’t measure what their baby is eating, poop is one of the only clues. What goes in is what comes out,” says Ari Brown, M.D., a pediatrician and coauthor of Baby 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Baby’s First Year.
The color of your little one’s poop will probably change quite a bit day-by-day. And although there’s a wide range of normal shades, some stool colors might indicate a health problem. Thankfully, our baby poop color wheel guide is here to help! Keep reading to learn what the color of your baby’s bowel movement means, and whether they need to visit the pediatrician.
What Are The Most Common Colors Of Baby Poop
There are nine colors that are commonly seen in baby poop, each of which indicates something different about your babys diet and any possible health issues they may be experiencing. The good news is that while your babys poop color can vary widely, particularly during their first year of life, there are many normal poop colors and a change in the color does not necessarily indicate a problem. There are significant differences between adult poop and baby poop, so its important to understand what is normal for a baby.
Does Neocate Cause Constipation
Many parents get concerned when they dont see a bowel movement in a day or two after starting Neocate. However, thats not unusual for infants on hypoallergenic amino acid-based formulas.
With most hypoallergenic amino acid-based formulas, like Neocate Infant, babies poop less often due to the way they absorb formulas. The protein in such formulas is broken down and simple to absorb, and they dont contain fiber.
However, with Neocate Syneo Infant, babies may have stools more often than with other hypoallergenic formulas, more like breastfed babies. Neocate Syneo contains prebiotics and probiotics.
Hard or dry stools that are difficult to pass may indicate constipation. Some parents tell us that their little one seems to be straining, trying to have a bowel movement.
If your little one looks uncomfortable, its best to check with her healthcare team. Sometimes the solution is as simple as providing additional fluids. Other times, the doctor will look at different ways to make it easier for your baby to pass bowel movements.
Also Check: How To Get My Newborn On A Schedule
Baby Stool Types And Colors For Eating Solid Foods
Dark brown or various colors
When your baby begins eating solid food, their bowel movements might become dark brown. However, be prepared for some seemingly odd colors are possible pop up as well. For example, the stool might look red after they eat beets or might contain streaks of dark blue after eating blueberries. You may even spot some green stool, but this too can be from newly-introduced green foods, like spinach and peas. Its also possible to find chunks of undigested food in your babys bowel movements.
If Youre Formula Feeding
If your little one is getting all or most of their daily nutrition through formula feeding, after the first few days they may start filling their diaper at least once a day, but itâs not out of the ordinary for them to sometimes go a day or two without a bowel movement. This is OK, provided their stools are soft when they do materialize.
If youâre ever concerned about how many poops your little one is passing, consult your babyâs healthcare provider.
Read Also: How Much Food Should Newborns Eat
Pouty Lips And Grumpy Face
A pouty lip and grumpy face mean your baby has had enough of whatever they were doing, even pooping. They may make this face if theyre struggling to pass gas. The look can quickly occur if youre changing diet or introducing solids and the stool is harder.
An excellent remedy for this is making cycling motions with their legs. Hold your little ones feet up and then proceed to circulate in a move similar to bicycle crunches. If your baby still feels uneasy, try to distract them by walking around the room while holding them or placing them in their swing.
If your baby continues to struggle, give your doctor a call. They may recommend prune juice if your infant is old enough and if the prior few stools were hard.
Causes Of Constipation In Babies
The answer to this also depends on the age and diet of your baby. Small infants experience constipation due to their weak abdominal muscles. Theyre still developing postpartum and require more strength to poop.
The reason formula can make your little one prone to constipation is often due to its ingredients. Some pediatricians may recommend you give your baby small doses of prune or pear juice. Always consult your physician before you give your infant anything other than formula or breastmilk .
Once your baby begins solid foods, the chance of constipation increases. Your little one suddenly has to digest something thats significantly firmer than milk.
The most common offending foods that I see in practice are white rice cereal and bananas. I often recommend brown rice cereal instead which has more fiber.
Editor’s Note:
Around 12 months of age, many start drinking cows milk. This is an essential source of calcium and vitamin D for a growing baby. Unfortunately, it is constipating and can create a blockage. Toddlers dont need to drink cows milk as frequently as they consumed formula or breastmilk as an infant. Three 8 oz bottles a day is sufficient at 12 months old, and can be reduced to two bottles per day by 18 months old.
If youre transitioning your 1-year-old off formula or breastmilk, its a good idea to include lots of veggies and fruits. The fiber in these works as a natural laxative and will help your toddler poop.
Recommended Reading: How Much Can A Newborn Eat
My Baby Is Not Pooping Should I Be Worried
Malnutrition and constipation are minor causes of infants producing a poop or less in a day when they are just growing. At subsequent stages from six weeks and three months, your baby poop less or once every two to three days. Consult your doctor if your little one doesnt poop for a total of three days, just to make you feel at ease.
What To Know About Poop For Babies With Complex Medical Needs
Babies who spend time in the NICU or have complex medical needs often need extra care or follow different developmental timelines than other babies. Parents need to learn new information about their babys condition and what to look for.
When it comes to baby poop, parents whose babies have medical conditions should be on the lookout for the same things mentioned above, with a few additions.
Also Check: How Much Do Newborn Puppies Eat
Baby Poop Color Warning Signs
Odds are, you wont have to call your doctor about your babys poop but its good to know when to take that step. If you notice your baby has poops that look like the ones below, then make sure to contact your doctor immediately.
- Runny Baby Poop – Runny poop or diarrhea that is green, yellow or brown, can be an indication of an infection or allergy.
- Hard, Pebble-like Baby Poop – If your baby has hard, pebble-like poop, then he/she may be suffering from constipation. This can be quite common when your baby is first introduced to solid foods, but can also be a symptom of sensitivity to milk, soy, or lack of tolerance to something in breast milk or formula.
- Red Blood in Baby Poop – Sometimes baby poop can turn red because of food or liquids such as tomatos, beets, or fruit punch. However, red baby poop can also be a sign of blood in the stool. This can be a sign of of a milk protein allergy or bacterial infections.
- Green Mucus in Baby Poop – Slimy, green mucus in your babys poop can be a sign of an infection. Youll notice that mucus in poop looks like green-colored streaks with glistening strings.
- White Baby Poop – Chalky baby poop that is gray or white in color can be a sign that your baby is not digesting food properly, or that there is a lack of bile in the liver.
Have questions about a Happiest Baby product? Our consultants would be happy to help! Connect with us at .
A Guide To Your Newborn Or Infant’s Poop
Meredith Shur, MD, FACOG, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as a certified medical examiner.
Baby poop can cause stress and anxiety for parents. From the color and consistency to the amount of poop your child produces, it can be hard to tell what’s normal. Whether you’re breastfeeding, formula feeding, or a combination of both, here’s a guide to what’s normal and what isn’t when it comes to your baby’s poop.
Read Also: How Much Food Does A Newborn Need
Newborn Baby Poop Smell
Meconium doesnt have a distinct smell. Some describe it as odorless where others say it has a sweet smell. The reason for this is that the poop is sterile bacteria isnt present in the intestines at this point.
The bacteria in our intestines is what gives stool that lovely smell. Bacteria, however, is introduced to your babys stomach after the first feeding. So, the odorless poop is short-lived.
Is My Baby Constipated
Many parents worry about their baby straining and turning red in color when they are passing poop, but as long as the stools are soft and normal in color, dont worry. According to Dr. Felman, This happens so often, there is even a medical term for it: infant dyschezia.
I ask parents, Have you ever tried pooping while lying down? Its hard to move stool from that position, Dr. Felman said. You can help your infant pass their poops by massaging their stomachs and bicycling their legs to help put pressure on their abdomen and push the poop out more easily that way.
Though not an emergency, if your baby hasnt pooped in four days, talk to the nurse or doctor to see if there are things you can try to help your baby pass the poop.
Don’t Miss: What Is Nec In Newborns
What Does Color Mean
Baby poop changes color and it’s a constant concern for parents. But for the most part, it needn’t be.
“Color has not much to do with anything except the transit time of food and the bile coming through the GI tract,” Steinmetz says.
The poop color timeline works like this: Yellow means milk is moving through the baby’s system quickly. When the process slows down, poop becomes green — and can unnecessarily worry parents. Even slower, poop turns brown.
“That’s why infants often have yellow stools, because they have a very fast transit time,” Steinmetz says.
Continued
Want To Learn More About Baby Stool Types
Whether your little one is breastfed, formula-fed or has graduated to eating solids, its clear that theres a lot to notice about whats in the diaper, and how much babys stool can change over a short time. You may not have expected to learn so much about baby poop and may be surprised to hear that theres lots more to cover!
If you still have questions or want to learn more, explore these Constipation FAQs for more information about baby stool and baby stool types. Theres lots more related content as well for help with baby constipation issues, whether it be diarrhea, cows milk allergy cues or if you are experiencing feeding difficulties.
You May Like: How Many Diapers Do You Need For Newborn
What The Colors Of Baby Poop May Mean
You might be surprised by a change in the color of your babyâs poop, which can range from the mustardy hues of breast-milk poop and the yellow-tan of formula-fed baby poop to various other shades of yellow, brown, and even green. You might also find mucus in baby poop, which can create a translucent or milky coloring.
Green poop can be alarming the first time you see it, but itâs usually harmless. All sorts of things can cause it, from certain medicines to green foods eaten by your baby directly or passed on through your breast milk. Sometimes, what you see is simply a product of your little oneâs normal digestion.
Generally, all the earth tones are OK, but if you ever need reassurance about the color of your babyâs poop, donât be shy about reaching out to your babyâs healthcare provider for advice.
Understanding The Color Of Your Baby’s Poop
Camille Freking, MS Pharmacology on November 11, 2021
If youre new to parenting, you might think that poop is poop. After all, as adults, the texture and color of our stool is fairly consistent. However, baby poop is much different than adult poop, and the color and texture of your babys poop can yield a lot of important information about their health and diet. Its important for any parent or any individual caring for a baby to be knowledgeable about the nine types of baby poop colors and what each means.
You May Like: How To Do Tummy Time Newborn
Figure Out What Your Babys Bowel Movements Mean
Do you have questions about your babys stool color? If so, dont be embarrassed! Decoding stool color is one of the first tasks you face as a new parent. Babies develop very quickly, and their digestive systems change as they grow. Stool color ranges in hue and consistency and varies depending on whether your baby is formula fed or breastfed. Check out the stool color chart and additional details from Enfamil below to help figure out what your babys bowel movements mean.
When To See A Doctor
As a baby grows, their poop often changes color. For example, as an infant starts to eat solid foods, what they eat may affect the color of their poop. Undigested food in stool can also cause a change in color.
Unusual colors, such as green, may not signal a health issue. Stool color may vary for a short time, then return to its regular shade.
White, red, or black are the exceptions these colors can each indicate a health problem.
Also, if a lot of mucus is present or it appears in stool on an ongoing basis, this could signal an illness.
See a doctor about any concerns regarding an infants health.
Read Also: What Similac Is Best For Newborns