Baby poo

Dealing with a newborn’s dirty nappies can be a bit of a shock, especially if it’s your first baby; however, you will soon get used to it and nappy changing will become part of your daily routine. The articles below will offer information about baby’s poo and help you to understand what is normal and what is not normal.

What should a baby’s poo look like?

The first dirty nappy will be filled with something known as meconium; this is the baby’s first stool and it will usually have a green and slightly blackish appearance. After a few days, you will notice that the colour of the poo changes and become more yellow. The colour and consistency of baby’s poo usually depends on what they are being fed; breast-fed babies often have slightly runny poo, which doesn’t really smell, while bottle-fed babies have firmer, darker poo, which will usually smell quite unpleasant. Sometimes, formula milk can make baby’s poo a dark green colour.

How often should my baby be pooing?

Every baby is different and some babies produce a lot more dirty nappies than others. Generally, bottle-fed babies poo more often than breastfed babies. It is completely normal for a baby to poo after each feed; however, it is also normal for babies to go for a few days without doing a poo, especially if they are being breast-fed. You will probably start to notice when your baby is doing a poo; often, they puff their cheeks and go red as they are straining their facial muscles; this is normal and very common.

Is it normal for my baby’s poo to change as they get older?

You will notice a change in your baby’s nappies after a couple of days; at first, their nappies will be filled with meconium, which is a sticky substance that collects in the baby’s intestines during pregnancy. Meconium is usually dark green in colour. After a few days, the poo will change and become more yellow.

While your baby is being breast of bottle-fed, you will notice that they start to develop a pattern of soiling their nappy; as a general rule, bottle-fed babies poo more often, usually once a day and their poo is smelly and pale yellow in colour. Breastfed babies poo less often and tend to have odourless poo; it is usually bright yellow in colour.

Once your baby starts on solid food, you will notice that their poo changes again; the colour of the stool usually reflects the colour of the food your baby has eaten; they will usually have orange poo if they have had pureed carrot, for example.

Is a baby’s poo different if they are being breastfed?

There is usually quite a difference between bottle-fed and breastfed babies; bottle-fed babies tend to have paler stools, which can be very smelly, while breastfed babies tend to have bright yellow poo which doesn’t smell as strong.

Breastfed babies tend to soil their nappies less frequently than bottle-fed babies; most bottle-fed babies have a dirty nappy every day, while breastfed babies can go for a couple of days without having a dirty nappy.

You may notice that your baby’s nappies change if you switch from breast milk to formula; if you do decide to do this, try to introduce the formula milk slowly over a period of a couple of weeks, as this allows the baby’s digestive system to get used to the changes.

Will my baby’s poo change when they start eating solid foods?

You will find that your baby’s nappies change a great deal once you start introducing solid foods to their diet. You may find that your baby’s poo becomes a lot stronger and smellier, especially if they have previously been on breast milk. The colour of the poo may also change quite a lot and you will probably find that their poo reflects what foods they have eaten. Some foods may not be digested fully and you may find that foods such as baked beans come straight through the digestive system and appear whole in the nappy; as your baby’s digestive system becomes more mature, they will be able to cope with a larger range of foods.

Should I be worried about changes in my baby’s nappies?

It is normal for your baby’s nappies to change slightly from day to day but there are some symptoms and sings to look out for; these include:

  • Pale poo: if your baby’s poo is paler than usual this may indicate that they have jaundice; if you are worried, talk to your midwife, health visitor or GP.
  • Runny poo: this is often a symptom of diarrhoea. Other possible symptoms include soiling the nappy more frequently and producing more poo than usual.
  • Constipation: constipation can be very uncomfortable for babies. Signs of constipation include dry poo, straining and crying when soiling the nappy, spots of blood on the poo and abdominal pain.
  • Blood in the poo: this may be a symptom of constipation but you should always get this checked out by your GP.
  • Green poo: green poo may indicate that your baby is taking in too much lactose; it may also be a symptom of a tummy bug. You should arrange to see your GP if symptoms persist for more than 24 hours.

If you notice any major changes in your baby’s nappies, it is probably a good idea to consult your health visitor or arrange to see your GP.

Caring for your newborn:

Mother, Baby and Beyond

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