The consistency and appearance of your baby’s poo will change over time.
Here’s a useful guide to help you identify what’s “normal” for your baby throughout different stages of their development.
After birth: For the first day or so after they’re born, your baby’s stools are greeny-black in colour, with a smooth, sticky consistency like tar. At around day 2-3, their stools change colour and texture, becoming greeny-brown.
Breastfeeding: From day 3-4 (when your milk starts to come in) your baby’s poos become orange/yellow, with a similar consistency to pumpkin soup. Some babies also have little white seed-like pieces in their poo. Your baby’s poos should continue to look like this while they’re exclusively breastfed, until solids are introduced.
Formula feeding: If your baby is using infant formula, from day 3-4 their poos can range in colour from orange/yellow to green/brown. They can also vary in texture, with the consistency resembling anything from pumpkin soup to toothpaste. You may also notice small white seed-like particles, like those found in a breastfed baby’s poo.
Diarrhoea: If you notice your baby’s poos becoming much more frequent, changing in smell and colour, and becoming very loose, runny and watery, and also your baby may have an infection, intolerance or allergy.
Constipation: If your baby’s poos become harder or difficult to pass, and the consistency begins to resemble pebbles or formed stools, this indicates that they’re constipated. The consistency of their poos determines whether they’re constipated, rather than the frequency and regularity of their poos. If the texture and consistency of their poos are firmer than toothpaste, this is considered constipation.
If you have any concerns or questions about your baby’s poos, contact our Careline team of registered dietitians, nutritionists and midwives for more information and assistance. Get in touch via LiveChat, email or phone here.