Baby Poop: Colors, Frequency and When to Worry

Once you become a new parent, checking inside the diaper turns into a daily habit. That is not strange at all, because your baby's poop tells you a lot about their feeding and health. Most colors and textures are normal. A few, however, mean you should tell your doctor right away.

The first poop: meconium. According to the NHS, your baby's first poop is meconium. It is sticky and greenish-black. Some babies pass it during or right after birth, others within the first 48 hours. Within a few days, poop turns yellow or mustard-colored.

Breastfed and formula-fed babies have different poop.

• Breast milk: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it is mustard yellow. According to the NHS, it is runny and does not smell.
• Formula: According to the NHS, it is firmer, darker brown and smellier. The AAP says it can be yellowish brown with light green tones.

According to the AAP, once meconium has passed, all shades of yellow, brown and even green are considered normal.

How often? There is a wide normal range here. According to the NHS, babies usually poop at least twice a day in the first week. Breastfed newborns may poop after almost every feed at first, and after 6 weeks they may go a few days without pooping at all. Formula-fed newborns may poop up to 5 times a day at first, and this drops to about once a day over the months.

Constipated or not? A few days without pooping is not constipation on its own. According to the NHS, as long as the poop is soft, a baby is not considered constipated even if they have not gone for a few days. What you really need to watch for is hard poop. In that case, talk to your doctor, and do not give your baby any medicine, syrup or suppository unless your doctor recommends it.

Diarrhea: The NHS recommends talking to a doctor or health team when poop is very watery or very foul-smelling. The biggest risk with diarrhea is dehydration, so keep a close eye on your baby's wet diapers and overall condition.

Warning colors: The AAP draws special attention to three colors:

• White, pale, clay or cream-colored: This is rare but can be a sign of a liver problem. According to the AAP, the sooner it is checked, the better. The NHS also says to tell your family doctor about pale poop.
• Red: This can mean blood. According to the AAP, any amount of blood in the poop should be checked.
• Black: Blood in the gut turns from red to black over time. If you see black poop other than meconium in the first days, tell your doctor.

Why does biliary atresia matter? According to the AAP, in biliary atresia the bile ducts are blocked. Bile cannot pass into the gut, so it builds up in the liver and damages it. Because the yellow pigment that gives poop its color cannot reach the gut, the poop becomes pale, the pee may turn dark and jaundice appears. According to the AAP, jaundice and pale poop become obvious by 4-6 weeks of age at the latest, and early diagnosis and treatment are very important. So if your baby's poop is pale, take them to the doctor without waiting.

Signs of dehydration: According to the NHS, these suggest dehydration in a baby:

• Fewer wet diapers than usual
• A sunken soft spot on top of the head (fontanelle)
• Sunken eyes
• Few or no tears when crying
• Drowsiness or irritability

If you see any of these signs, contact a doctor right away.

When to see a doctor, when to call your local emergency number? See your pediatrician or family doctor without waiting if you notice:

• White, pale, clay or cream-colored poop
• Blood in the poop, or black poop after the meconium stage
• Very watery or very foul-smelling poop
• Hard poop
• Signs of dehydration

If your baby's skin, lips or tongue look pale, bluish, gray or blotchy, if their skin feels cold, if they are having trouble breathing or if you are struggling to wake them, call your local emergency number right away. The NHS lists these as signs of a serious condition.

Dear mom, checking diapers this carefully shows how well you know your baby. Most colors should not worry you at all. If something is on your mind, do not hesitate to take a photo of the diaper and show it to your doctor.