What your baby's poop looks like

The appearance of your baby's poop largely depends on his or her diet. Baby poop can look different when breastfeeding compared to formula feeding. If your baby eats and drinks well without other complaints such as flatulence or cramps, then the baby poop is probably normal.

For young parents, it's important to understand the frequency, color, and consistency of their baby's poop. This information can provide insights about the health and development of their child.

The colour

Meconium

A baby's first stool is called meconium. Meconium usually comes within 48 hours of birth. It is dark green to black in colour and has a tarry, sticky substance.

Green stools

This green colour may look a bit crazy, but it is completely normal. Especially babies fed follow-on milk often have green poo, which is usually due to added iron in artificial formula. The nappy may also turn green after eating green vegetables or when teeth are coming through. If you notice signs such as discomfort during feedings, this type of stool may be a sign of a cow's milk allergy.

Yellow stools

This colour in the nappy is quite normal. Is your baby being fed follow-on milk? If so, the stools will be yellow to brown in colour. Often the colour looks a bit like mustard. Sometimes there are green specks or flakes in it.

Red stools

A harmless cause of red stools is red cabbage or beetroot on the menu. If you find red strands in your baby's stools, this usually indicates blood in the stools. The cause could be a small tear at the anus, for example. However, red stools can also be an indication of a serious problem. Your baby may have an allergy, bacterial infection or bleeding in his gastrointestinal tract. In that case, it is wise to consult a doctor.

Brown stools

When your little one starts eating more solid food, the colour will increasingly change to brown. It then smells a lot more unpleasant and is firmer in texture and shape.

Frequency

There is no set frequency for when a baby has to defecate. So this can vary a lot! Newborns usually defecate as soon as something enters their stomach. Eventually, this will become more regular and your baby will poop more often at more set times. Your baby may have a full nappy seven times a day. If your little one only defecates once every few days, this is also normal. As long as your little one has no trouble with this, is growing well and is happy and lively, there is no need to worry.

It is also the case that breastfed babies defecate less often than babies fed follow-on milk. This is probably because breast milk is easier to digest. Less 'waste' is left over.

Do you have more questions about your child's stool or are you unsure about its colour, consistency etc? If so, always contact your midwife or paediatrician.