Understanding your baby’s poo

Written By Lucy Upton

It is very common for new parents to have lots of questions about their baby’s poo - “What baby poo is normal?”, “How often should my baby poo?” or, “What should baby poo look like?”

Look no further, as this blog is here to help, guide and reassure on a topic I hear from parents weekly in the clinic.  In this blog, I cover;

  • Your baby's first poo

  • Breastfed baby poo

  • Formula-fed baby poo

  • How bowel movements and poo changes once your baby starts food

 

Bowel movements in babies can look quite different from those of adults, and just like adults, they vary widely among different babies. There's a whole range of what is considered “normal"! Their development also plays a role in this. Understandably, all this might make some parents feel a bit anxious. However, it’s really important to focus on what is “typical” for your little one and anything that may deviate from this.

 

Your Babies First Poop

Your baby's first poo is called "meconium," which is typically passed within the first 24 to 48 hours after birth. This is a product of the baby’s digestion of amniotic fluid and other substances in the womb, resulting in a thick, sticky, greenish-black consistency. Whilst it can be worrying to see, as their first bowel movement, it is normal and not something to cause alarm. In fact, it is a sign that your baby's digestive system is functioning as it should. By day 3, their poop will start to transition, becoming a lighter, looser, greenish poo. Read on to find out about this, and how it may vary based on the type of milk they drink.

 

Stools (Poo) in Breast-Fed Babies

The colour, consistency, and frequency of a breastfed baby's poop can vary, but it dos tend to be runnier than babies who are formula fed.  Here’s what you need to know about how often a breastfeeding baby can poo, what is normal and what poo can look like.

Breast milk poo colour: Many shades of pp colour are also normal for a baby which is breastfed. For those who are exclusively breastfed, the colour is often a mustard yellow or sometimes may be a yellowish green. A poo with a green tinge may also be normal for your baby, especially if they are otherwise well.  Greener stools in breastfed babies can occur and in some cases, this can be due to consumption of more of the lactose-rich part of breastmilk.

Breast milk poo consistency: Breast milk contains digestive enzymes, which make it easier for babies to digest compared to formula milk. Consequently, breastfed babies often experience softer and more frequent bowel movements than those fed with formula.  Poo may also contain small white ‘seeds’ which are normal, and undigested milk fats.

Breast milk poo frequency: Breastmilk is a natural laxative, and as such, babies who are breastfed may poo after every feed or even whilst they are feeding, especially in the early days and weeks of breastfeeding! A baby between 4 days and 6 weeks who is breastfeeding is expected to pass at least two poos daily. As your baby gets older, the number of times they poo may reduce in frequency.

Breast milk is easily digestible for babies, making constipation rare among those who are exclusively breastfed.  If you are concerned about constipation in your breastfed baby, please initially seek advice from your GP.

In contrast, formula-fed infants—whether exclusively or in combination with breast milk—are more prone to constipation. If your baby hasn’t had a bowel movement in the last 24 to 48 hours, the NHS recommends consulting your midwife or health visitor, as this might indicate they are not receiving sufficient milk, but there can be other causes for constipation such as the type of formula a baby is drinking, or conditions such as Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy.

 

Poo in Formula Fed Babies

As with babies who are breastfed, the colour, consistency, and frequency of a formula fed baby's poop can vary, and it's perfectly normal.

Formula-milk poo colour: The poop of babies who are fed with formula is generally browner in colour, however again, it may range in colour from yellowy-brown to green, which may also be considered normal.  Babies who are on specialist formula milks where the protein is broken down often have a greener poo.

Formula-milk poo consistency: Often, stool in little ones who are formula-fed is not as runny as that in baby’s who are breastfed, and it tends to be firmer.

Formula-milk poo frequency: Formula-fed babies tend to pass fewer bowel movements a day compared to babies who are breastfed, for example ,anything from 1 to 5 times per day, may be considered normal.

As suggested above, constipation is more common in babies who receive formula. This is because formula milk can be more difficult for babies to digest due to differing compositions, which we are unable to replicate in formulas for example, breastmilk contains digestive enzymes called amylase and lipase, which aid the digestion of carbohydrates and fats, and these cannot be added to formula milk.

It is really important to follow the on-pack instructions for making up the specific formula you are making, because bottles with too much powder can cause dehydration and constipation. 

As with breastfed babies, if your baby has not pooed in the past 24 to 48 hours, the NHS website advises speaking with your midwife or health visitor, as this may mean they are not getting enough milk.

NB: the type of formula you choose to give your little one can influence your baby’s poop. Any concerns regarding your baby’s bowel movements or anything else is worth discussing with your paediatrician or a Registered Paediatric Dietitian to help find a suitable formula for your baby’s needs (as there’s lots of options out there, and I know how confusing it can be!)

 

How stool movements change once they start weaning

At around 6 months of age, it is recommended that you start introducing solid foods into your little one’s diet – this is often called “weaning”. At this point, their poo may become more solid in texture. As such, it's not uncommon for your baby to experience some constipation. I have another blog with more details on constipation during weaning, which can be found here.

 

Seeking Advice

While variations in colour, texture, and frequency are normal, a few signs might indicate something else is going on. Poo that needs advice from your baby’s doctor if;

  • It contains fresh blood

  • It is black (unless on iron supplementation)

  • If it is white and chalking

  • If it contains persistent and excessive mucus

 

Take Home Message

Remember, that every baby is different, and as such their poop patterns may vary. What is valuable to remember, is that it is most important to try and gauge what is “typical” for your baby. As long as your baby is feeding well, gaining weight, and appears generally appears well, there is usually nothing to worry about. However, poop can provide valuable insights into health, and if you ever have concerns, don't hesitate to consult a Registered Healthcare Professional for guidance such as your GP, health visitor, Paediatrician, or Registered Paediatric Dietitian.

 

resources

If you would like more information, the following resources may help be a place to start to explore more about this topic.

**Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered personalised Dietetic advice. Please always consult with a registered healthcare provider if you have concerns about your baby's health or well-being.

Lucy Upton
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Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy