Is my baby’s poo normal?

Baby poo can come in a wide spectrum of colours, consistencies, and smells. Some of these are normal and others may need further investigation. Depending on many factors like age and what they eat or drink, the colour, consistency and smell can vary greatly.

We sought the help of Dr Preeya Alexander as a GP and health expert to find out.

“I talk about poo a lot in the clinic. The spectrum of what is normal when it comes to baby poo is huge.

Some babies will poo once a day, while others will poo four times a day, and both can be normal.

Some kids will have brown poo while others will have a green tinge – and again both can be totally normal.

Remember, every child is different, and so the range of colour, consistency and frequency of poo that can be considered "normal” is extensive.

There are, however, a few ways poo can signal a health problem. If you notice anything of concern in your baby’s nappy, contact your GP or healthcare professional for advice,” says Dr Preeya.

Your baby’s first poo is a blackish, dark green shade, it is sticky a bit like vegemite in consistency and called “meconium”. Meconium is made up of material that your baby swallows whilst in the womb. It can take a few days for the meconium to pass through your baby’s system. This dark green poo colour will then change depending on how you feed your baby.  

·       Black poo after the first 5 days could indicate a health problem so you will need to speak to your GP or healthcare professional for medical advice.

·       Red poo or blood in your baby’s poo means you should seek immediate medical attention.

·       White or pale baby poo can indicate a health problem, you should call your GP or healthcare professional if you find pale poo in your child’s nappy. 

·       Finding black poopat any age may be quite surprising but not necessarily a health problem. If your child has recently eaten blackberries, black liquorice, blueberries or dark chocolate their poo can darken to an almost black colour.

·       Red coloured foods like beets, cranberries, red plums or foods containing red food colouring may make their poo appear red.

·       Artificial food colouring, common in drink mixes or ice creams, can tint their poo a range of colours, from red to green and everything in between.

The information in this article is general only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or diagnosis. Consult your GP or healthcare professional for medical advice.

Breastfed baby poo is often quite runny, the consistency is somewhere between pumpkin soup to toothpaste, or with small curds, a bit like cottage cheese. Formula-fed baby poo is firmer in texture and may vary depending on the formula used, some may make poo runnier than others. 

Baby poo has its own unique smell , but it shouldn’t be too unpleasant.

For breastfed babies, their poo usually has a slightly sweet smell, formula-fed baby poo might be a bit more pungent.

If your baby’s poo has a very strong or foul odour, it could be a sign of an underlying issue like an infection or digestive problem. It is always a good idea to check with your GP or healthcare professional when your baby’s poo smells more than usual.

Newborns usually do several poos a day, often before and after feeding. As your baby grows, they may poo less frequently.

Breastfed babies may poo several times a day or once every few days. Formula-fed babies can vary from several poos a day to just one a week.

Every baby has different pooing habits. As long as your little one is comfortable, happy and gaining weight there is usually no cause for concern.

Constipation is common and affects between 5 to 30% of children worldwide^* with around 15% of babies experiencing it occasionally. It can be a dietary issue if they are eating solids or in young babies it could simply mean their digestive system is still developing. Signs of constipation include very smelly poo or wind, a hard belly or decreased appetite.

Keep in mind that just because your baby doesn’t poo every day doesn’t mean they are constipated. Some babies might have several days between a bowel movement, and that’s not a cause for concern.

Consult your GP or healthcare professional if you think your baby might be constipated or for further advice.

Babies often have soft poo, especially breastfed babies. However, poos that are looser, more watery, or come more frequently than usual are known as diarrhoea. It could be from changes to their diet or if your baby is vomiting as well, it might be a gut infection. If concerned, it’s important to see your GP or healthcare professional immediately to make sure that your baby doesn’t becomedehydrated.

The information in this article is general only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or diagnosis. Only consult your GP or healthcare professional for medical advice.

If you're new to parenting or it's been a while since you've changed a nappy and you are not familiar with the range of colours and consistect of baby poo, it's helpful to track their nappies.

Poo Tracker is designed to help you during conversations with your healthcare professional by providing a clear, photographic history of your baby’s poo.

This is ot a medical or diagnostic tool. Always seek the advice of yout healthcare professional.

Disclaimer: Dr Preeya Alexander is an independent expert who was compensated for her time and contribution.